Scott Goldie is a PGA Golf professional and the Bulgarian National Team Coach with over 30 years international coaching experience. He gives his professional opinion to Chiang Mai One on the top golf courses in Chiang Mai.
“I have been “wintering” in Chiang Mai, for over 25 years now. It’s such a great place to come over the winter period because of its perfect climate. I usually arrive sometime in November and stay until the end of February. It gives me a chance to work a little on my own game and with some of my students at a few of the local driving ranges”.
Stardome, Lanna GC & Gymkhana
Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai has such a wide variety of golf courses from the ones very close to the centre like Lanna GC and Stardome and also the Gymkhana Club. These offer always great green fee prices but of course they can be very busy at times and sometimes struggle with keeping the maintenance up to a good standard.Chiang Mai Highlands
Mae On District, Chiang Mai
My favourite course has to be Chiang Mai Highlands, it’s an outstanding layout and a great test of golf from the back tees. It’s always well maintained and has probably the best practice facility from all the golf courses in the area. It’s a little drive outside town at least 40 mins.Chiang Mai Alpine
Banthi Road, Chiang Mai
The Chiang Mai Alpine is an amazing place also. I have only played it once since then renovated it. As they don’t offer a discount for PGA members. It used to be called Chiang Mai Lamphun golf course a few years ago. It was a great golf course back then, but even better now, a golf course at a very high standard.Gassan Khutan
Lamphun
The 3 Gassan golf courses are undoubtedly well worth a game especially the Gassan Khutan golf course which is a very intriguing and beautiful design which sits in a nature reserve. I love it there and definitely one of the prettiest golf courses you will play in a northern Thailand.Royal Chiang Mai
San Sai District, Chiang Mai
The Royal Chiang Mai is a Peter Thompson masterpiece. It’s one of the oldest golf courses in the region. I like this course as it brings back some really nice memories of my first few trips to Chiang Mai, as I used to spend a lot of time here. It’s got loads of character, but sometimes suffers with maintenance, green speed could be a little faster.North Hill
Hang Dong District, Chiang Mai
The North Hill golf course in Hang Dong is one of the newest golf courses around the Chiang Mai area. It reminds me of a lot of modern European golf courses. It’s a good mixture of holes ranging from, quite wide open longer holes to some small tight dogleg par 4’s. Very fast greens normally, and a nice modern clubhouse. It also has a decent practice facilities.Mae Jo Resort & Spa
San Sai District, Chiang Mai
The Maejo golf course is another great test of golf. It can be quite busy here at times because of its close proximity to the city. It has a few tight driving holes and quite big fast greens. A really nice course to play and if the greens are in good shape, it should be highly regarded. I normally go at least a couple of times to play it but last year I heard the greens weren’t as good as before. Next year hopefully they will be better.
Summit Green Valley
Mae Rim District, Chiang Mai
I also really like going to Summit Green Valley, and it’s probably my go to golf course which is the best course nearer to the centre of town. Last year I played it a few times. It’s fantastic and it’s probably better maintained now than it ever has been. The practice facilities could be better, but ok to hit a few balls before you play.