Royal Hua Hin Golf Course
18 Holes | Par 72 | By A.O. Robins
| Opened 1924
About
the course
This was the first golf course in Thailand, built by royal
command of His majesty King Rama VI; a Scottish railway
engineer was asked to build the course. Using the natural
terrain up and down the hills and valleys, with mature trees
lining much of the course, it's unlike most courses in Thailand
with the feel of a European parkland course. It has only
two tee boxes, mens' and ladies' and, at 6,678 yards and
5,713 yards respectively, ti's not short. With tree-lined
fairways and lang par 5's this course requires accuracy
and distance off the tee. However it's the par 3's that
really stand out as tests of your game.
Playing
the course: Men's tees
The 4th 155 yards par 3 plays over a steep
drop to a raised green and, to make life interesting, has
two tiers. Over-club and you're faced with a nasty chip
back down the hill, possibly from the bunker at the back.
If the pin is on the front tier, you'll have played a good
shot to keep the ball on the green and somewhere near the
hole. If you under club and land short, expect a long chip
back up the hill to the green-reminiscent of the 14th at
Wentworth, which catches so many of the world's best golfers
out!
The 5th 131 yards par 3 comes
back down the same hill you've just walked up and, although
shorter, needs an equally precise shot allowing for one
less club due to the downward elevation. When you get on,
be it your first or second shot, have a really good look
at the putt as the green is crowned; then ask your caddie
what he or she thinks. Don't be amazed if the caddie reads
it completely the other side of the hole to you-there are
no prizes for guessing who's more likely to be right. This
hole can be tricky to say the least.
The 18th 440 yards par 4
finishing hole is a dog-leg left with a large tree guarding
the inside and needs a big drive, preferably with a draw
to get round it and give yourself a playable second to the
green. At 440 yards, this is one of the langer par 4's in
Thailand but don't be discouraged, you get more run on the
ball than at many courses where, particularly in the rainy
season, one foot of forward roll off the drive is the norm.
Hit two good shots, make par and head for a drink in the
clubhouse.
The 19th
hole
The clubhouse is not particularly grand or elegant but it
is functional and quaint. Located directly opposite the
railway station in Hua Hin, which in itself is worth a visit
for its old-style charm, although you do feel that you're
right in the middle of a resort town with all the hustle
and bustle that goes with it. Look out for the old abandoned
steam engines standing by the tracks and, on your way out,
look left and right before you cross the track itself. The
barriers are not particularly modern so it's always worth
looking before you cross!
