Planning a golf trip but stuck on where to play? Siam Country Club Pattaya Old Course might be the answer. Known as Thailand’s most famous course, it combines history, beauty, and challenge.
Keep reading to learn about rates, reviews, and membership options!
Key Takeaways
- Siam Country Club Pattaya Old Course is Thailand’s famous golf course with fast greens and scenic water hazards, hosting events like the LPGA Honda Classic.
- Green fees range from 3,550 THB on weekdays to 4,350 THB on weekends, with discounts during off-peak times and twilight rates at 1,000 THB.
- Membership offers perks such as priority tee times, discounted green fees, access to practice facilities, and private tournaments.
- Players praise caddie support and well-maintained facilities but note challenging sand traps and tricky putting greens.
- Benefits for members include exclusive clubhouse seating, spa discounts, reserved parking, and special equipment rental deals.
Rates at Siam Country Club Pattaya Old Course
Golfers can expect varying prices depending on the season. Be prepared to factor in caddie fees and other charges for a complete golfing experience.
Green fees and seasonal pricing
For those passionate about playing on the Siam Country Club Pattaya Old Course, understanding its pricing is key. The course offers category-based green fees, with seasonal variations impacting rates. Below is a concise breakdown of the pricing structure:
| Category | Green Fee (THB) | Pricing Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Weekday | 3,550 | Standard rate; subject to lower rates during off-peak |
| Weekend/Public Holidays | 4,350 | Higher due to demand; fluctuates during peak seasons |
| Twilight | 1,000 | Discounted for evening play; limited availability |
Prices shift with the seasons. Peak periods may see a slight bump, especially on weekends. During quieter times, rates could drop, rewarding off-season players. This flexibility appeals to golfers planning their visits year-round.
Additional charges and caddie fees
Golf offers more than just swinging clubs—it’s about the complete experience. At Siam Country Club Pattaya Old Course, specific charges and caddie fees enhance the exceptional experience golfers look forward to. Below is a breakdown of what you can expect:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Caddie Fees | Generally included in the green fee, providing professional support during your game. |
| Golf Cart Rental | Optional, but available for convenience. Prices may vary depending on the season and availability. |
| Golf Club Rental | Ideal for travelers. Charges apply for high-quality sets, offering flexibility if you didn’t bring your own. |
| Shoe Rental | A useful option. Fees are applicable, especially helpful if you’ve come unprepared. |
| Night Golf Fees | Separate pricing for those who enjoy playing under the stars. Rates vary by season. |
The fees accommodate both local and international players. Whether you need clubs, shoes, or transportation, the course provides every option. Caddies—skilled and attentive—are a highlight, frequently praised by players for their insights and assistance.
Reviews of Siam Country Club Pattaya Old Course
Golfers often praise the Old Course for its fast greens and challenging water hazards. Some find the sand traps tricky but agree they add excitement to this championship course.
Customer ratings and feedback
Players praise the Old Course for its fast greens and challenging sand traps. Robert Gilluley and Martin Kovacs both gave it a perfect score of 5, highlighting its championship-level design.
Karl Schmidhofer rated it 4.8, while Michael Chai gave a solid 4.6. Many enjoy the scenic water hazards that add beauty but test even experienced golfers.
Ken Tay’s rating of 4.4 points to minor challenges but agrees on the overall high standard. The course hosts events like the LPGA Honda Classic, showcasing its top-tier quality. Reviews consistently applaud clubhouse facilities and well-kept putting greens, making it a favorite golf destination in Pattaya among enthusiasts worldwide!
Highlights and challenges noted by golfers
Fast greens grabbed attention, especially for their tricky pace. Ken Tay found putting a real test here, making it clear this course isn’t forgiving. Sand traps told another story.
Michael Chai noted they need work, as some lacked consistency.
Golfers praised the well-kept fairways and stunning layout. Martin Kovacs admired its beauty and management while Robert Gilluley called it immaculate with top-notch service. Yet, its demanding design kept even seasoned players on their toes—just ask Karl Schmidhofer!
Membership Details
Membership opens doors to steady tee times and endless rounds at this championship course. Golfers get exclusive perks that turn every visit into a top-notch sporting experience.
Membership fees and tiers
Membership at Siam Country Club Pattaya Old Course provides golfers with advantages, priority access, and an enhanced experience during busy seasons. Although specific fees are not provided, the club offers multiple levels designed to meet differing golfing preferences. Here’s a detailed overview of the structure:
| Membership Tier | Description | Expected Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Membership | Possibly best for casual golfers or occasional visitors. | Access to standard tee times, clubhouse facilities, and events. |
| Premium Membership | Suited for avid golfers who play frequently. | Special advantages, priority reservations, and extended availability during busy periods. |
| Corporate Membership | Likely oriented for businesses seeking hospitality options. | Access for several players, meeting areas, and opportunities for networking. |
Each tier appears to cater to golfers’ individual preferences, offering both flexibility and exclusivity. The club emphasizes enhancing the member experience during busy periods, providing benefits that are not available to day players.
The next section covers feedback shared by golfers who frequently visit this renowned course.
Perks and benefits for members
Golfers at Siam Country Club Old Course enjoy a range of benefits that elevate their time on the greens. Membership includes exclusive advantages that make golfing here truly exceptional.
- Access to preferred tee times, even during busy seasons, ensures members always secure their favorite slots.
- Discounted green fees make frequent visits more accessible and enjoyable for avid players.
- Complimentary use of practice facilities allows players to refine their skills without additional expenses.
- Invitations to private golf tournaments and social events provide great opportunities to connect with fellow enthusiasts.
- Priority seating at the clubhouse restaurant offers relaxation and convenience after a long game on this championship course designed by Lee Schmidt and Brian Curley.
- Special discounts on golf lessons, equipment rentals, and pro-shop purchases offer great savings throughout the year.
- Members also enjoy reduced rates on spa services, ideal for unwinding after tackling water features or challenging greens.
- On-site accommodation deals provide convenience for weekend stays or attending prestigious events like the LPGA Honda Classic.
- Reserved parking near the clubhouse adds convenience during large events or busier times.
- Access to private lounges within the clubhouse ensures comfort and privacy during every visit.
Each benefit enhances the overall golfing experience while providing exceptional value throughout the year!
Conclusion
Siam Country Club Pattaya Old Course blends history, challenges, and luxury. Its fast greens, skilled caddies, and scenic clubhouse set it apart. Whether chasing pars or soaking in the championship vibe, every visit feels special.
With strong reviews and top-tier facilities, it’s a must for golf enthusiasts visiting Thailand.
FAQs
1. What makes the Siam Country Club Old Course special?
The Old Course is one of the oldest courses in Pattaya, known for its championship layout and fast greens. Designed by Lee Schmidt and Brian Curley, it offers a challenging golfing experience with water hazards and signature holes like Amen Corner.
2. How much are the green fees at Siam Country Club Pattaya Old Course?
Green fees vary depending on the season and time of booking. Golfers visiting during peak golf tourism months may pay higher rates compared to off-season tee times.
3. Can I play at the Siam Country Club without a membership?
Yes, visitors can book tee times at this renowned golf course without being members. The clubhouse facilities are open to both members and guests, enhancing every golf holiday.
4. Has the LPGA Honda Classic been hosted here?
Absolutely! The LPGA Honda Classic has taken place at Siam Country Club’s Old Course multiple times, showcasing its reputation as a top-tier championship course.
5. Are there any historical elements tied to this golf course?
While playing here won’t take you directly to history like Death Railway or Bridge on the River Kwai might, golfers often compare its rich legacy in Thai golf culture to iconic landmarks due to its long-standing prestige in Asia’s golfing scene.
The Story Behind the Old Course: Thailand’s First Private Club
Long before Pattaya became a golf-holiday hub, the Old Course was already writing Thai golf history. It opened in 1971 as the country’s first privately owned golf course, laid out by the Japanese architect Ichisuke Izumi. For decades it was a classic, tree-lined parkland layout — mature tamarind and acacia stands still frame many fairways today — and that heritage is a big part of why locals and long-time visitors call it the “grand dame” of golf in Thailand.
What most day-visitors don’t realize is that the course they play now is essentially a modern championship layout wrapped inside a 50-year-old routing. That transformation happened in one decisive project in the mid-2000s, and understanding it explains almost everything about how the course plays.
The Schmidt-Curley Renovation That Changed Everything
Between 2006 and 2007 the Old Course was completely rebuilt by the American design firm Schmidt-Curley Design — partners Lee Schmidt and Brian Curley, the same team behind many of Asia’s most acclaimed modern courses. Crucially, they kept Izumi’s original routing (so the walk and the shape of the property feel historic) while rebuilding almost every playing surface to international championship standard. The renovated course, together with a refurbished clubhouse, reopened in 2007.
The changes that most affect your round:
- Rebuilt, heavily contoured greens. The large, fast, deeply undulating putting surfaces the course is now famous for date from this renovation — not the original 1971 design. Reading them is genuinely the hardest part of the day.
- High-lipped bunkers and new bunker complexes. Greenside sand was reshaped into steeper, more penal traps, which is why so many visitors describe the sand as demanding.
- New and expanded water hazards. Additional lakes and creeks were woven through the layout, putting a premium on accurate approach play.
- Reshaped, curving fairways that reward position off the tee rather than raw distance.
If you’ve read older reviews that call the Old Course “gentle” or “traditional,” they predate the rebuild. Today it is anything but.
Course by the Numbers
The Old Course plays as a par 72 stretching to roughly 7,160 yards from the championship tees, on rolling terrain in Chonburi province, about 25 minutes inland from central Pattaya. Fairways are grassed largely in seashore paspalum, which stands up well to the tropical climate and gives a firm, clean lie.
| Detail | Old Course |
|---|---|
| Par | 72 |
| Length (championship tees) | approx. 7,160 yards / 18 holes |
| Opened | 1971 (original), rebuilt 2007 |
| Original architect | Ichisuke Izumi |
| 2007 renovation | Schmidt-Curley (Lee Schmidt & Brian Curley) |
| Location | Chonburi province, ~25 min from central Pattaya |
The finish is where the course bares its teeth: the closing stretch tests both nerve and strategy, with the picturesque par-3 16th (bunkered short and right) and a strong par-5 18th — a sweeping dogleg finishing in front of the clubhouse — that many consider the signature hole. Save something for the back nine.
A Genuine LPGA Tour Venue
The existing rates and reviews above hint at the course’s tournament pedigree, but the record is worth spelling out because it’s a real, verifiable draw. The Old Course is the long-time home of the Honda LPGA Thailand, one of the LPGA Tour’s marquee Asian events, now played each February.
The tournament first came to Siam Country Club’s Old Course in 2007 (after debuting at Amata Spring in 2006), moved briefly to the club’s newer Plantation Course in 2009, and has been staged on the Old Course again from 2010 onward. Champions here read like a who’s-who of women’s golf — Suzann Pettersen (2007), Ai Miyazato (2010) and Yani Tseng (2011 and 2012) among them, with Amy Yang winning multiple titles at the venue. On the strength of the rebuild and its tournament resume, the Old Course has featured in international “best in the world” rankings — Golf Digest placed it inside its global top 100 in 2018 — cementing its status as arguably Thailand’s most celebrated layout.
For visiting golfers this matters in a practical way: you are playing the same greens the world’s best players read on television, and the greens are the reason those broadcasts are so entertaining.
How to Play It Well (Practical Notes for Visitors)
A few things that separate a good day from a frustrating one on the Old Course:
- Respect the greens. Lag putting and knowing which side to miss on matters more here than at almost any other Pattaya course. Trust your caddie’s read.
- Play to positions off the tee. The curving fairways and bunker complexes punish the go-for-broke driver more than the smart layup.
- Book ahead in high season. Because it’s a tournament venue and Pattaya’s headline course, tee times are tight from roughly November through February, and around the Honda LPGA week the course may close to public play — always confirm the calendar before you travel.
- Manage the heat and hydration. Chonburi is hot and humid year round; an early tee time and proper heat management make a real difference (see our guides on staying cool and on-course fitness below).
When to Play — and What It Costs
The prime window is Thailand’s cool, dry season, roughly November to February, which is exactly when demand — and green fees — peak. The wetter months (roughly May to October) bring lower rates and quieter fairways, with the trade-off of afternoon storms; morning rounds are the smart play then. Green fees for the Old Course sit at the premium end of the Pattaya market, and rates, caddie fees, cart and rental charges change seasonally and by booking channel, so verify current pricing at the operator or club site before you commit rather than relying on any single published figure.
Where the Old Course Fits in a Pattaya Golf Trip
The Old Course is the anchor round of any serious Pattaya golf itinerary, but it’s most rewarding as part of a wider trip. Pair it with the club’s other layouts and Pattaya’s deep roster of courses, and build in a day or two of recovery for the heat. For the full regional picture — where to stay, how many rounds to plan, and how Pattaya compares to the Bangkok golf scene — see our https://gonggolf.com/golf-in-thailand/pattaya/ area guide and the broader https://gonggolf.com/golf-in-thailand/ planning hub. First-time visitors to Thai golf should also read up on local course etiquette and caddie customs, pack appropriate wet-weather and heat gear for the tropical climate, and consider some pre-trip golf-specific conditioning and hydration prep so you can handle multiple rounds in the heat.