Jomtien Golf – a golfer's view

Thailand is a “golfers haven”. It's “modus operandi” is as follows:-

- Many golf societies operate out of the bars around Pattaya and district.

- These societies have negotiated  Tee times and green fees with the many courses around Pattaya, generally within a 20-30 mile radius, some maybe up to 50 miles away.

- Generally societies play 3 times per week with the weekly schedule displayed in the local ex-pats newspaper (Pattaya Mail) the week before the events.

- Golfers just register for the event at the appropriate bar but do need to have membership in PSC or IPGC for most of the societies

- The majority of golfers play mainly out of just one of the societies

Playing golf is Thailand does have a few little nuances that makes the game different to UK and  Europe :-

- Tough Golf courses, designed by the elite of the world’s top designers (Jack Niclaus, Greg Norman, Nick Faldo to name just a few). Of course the downside is that us “mere mortals” have the challenge of playing such courses, with it’s multitude of “anxiety shots”. This generally results in greatly increased handicaps….17 for myself.

- Greens that are very hard to read – this is partly due to the “grain” caused by the type of grass used. In Europe only slope/burrow is important, not grain.

- “Dolly Bird” caddies to take the weight off your feet by carrying the clubs. On the best courses these girlies are made up like top models and they are extremely knowledgeable about the courses, with the ability to read the subtle borrows on the greens that we can’t see…….and still we miss the putts!!!

- Some golfers take several caddies - one to carry the clubs, one to carry a chair, one to carry the umbrella…….and one for the 19th!!!! My first experience in Thailand was to see 18 people on the final green at Siam Country Club. This was 6 golfers (as up to 6 balls are allowed on some courses) – each one with 2 caddies.

- Drinks huts, often every 4 holes, to refresh ones thirst. In the early days out here, this called for a beer but after falling over with severe dehydration midway through the back 9 something more sensible is now taken. Some golfers take full advantage of “golf with beer” facility!!

- Cheap, cheap golf – in general we pay about £15-20 for the round, including the caddy fee.

My chosen society is Jomtien Golf, operating out of Siam Cats Bar in Soi 5 Jomtien. This is a very mixed society with I guess a mainly conservative membership of mixed genders as well as the “League of Nations”. We have amongst the members I have seen (January and March 2009):