Heavenly Hua Hin

BEST OF THE REST

Straight driving is required at Majestic Creek Country Club, a nicely presented course featuring plenty of water and mature vegetation, a 40-minute drive from town. The newly-opened Sea Pine Golf Course, an Army-owned affair, is one of the few courses close to Hua Hin that actually plays down by the coast and features a thrilling finish and stunning ocean vistas. Palm Hills Golf Club was the first of Hua Hin’s modern breed of courses to open in the early 1990s and is still worth a visit, thanks to its convenient location, just a few minutes from the majority of hotels and resorts, and pristine greens, which are considered among the fastest in the land.

WHERE TO STAY

You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to accommodation options in Hua Hin – there are myriad hotels to suit every taste and budget here. One of the standouts of those that fall within the luxury bracket is the Hyatt Regency (huahin.regency.hyatt.com), a beautifully landscaped low-rise resort occupying 16 acres of lush tropical gardens and lagoons. The Hyatt’s rooms and suites are immaculately presented – as is the hotel’s award-winning Barai Spa, a must-visit for anyone in need of pampering. But one of its biggest advantages over other resorts in the area is its access to sand and sea. The Hyatt’s 200-metre long beach front is the longest of any hotel in Hua Hin. Another choice worth considering is the heritage-rich Sofitel Centara Grand Resort & Villas (sofitel.com), a colonial-style property situated within an easy walk of the town centre.

WHEN TO GO

Hua Hin is one of the driest spots in Thailand, and even during the so-called "Wet Season" from July to October, mid-afternoon showers are generally short lived. The ideal golfing time is winter, from November through February, which experiences very little rainfall and is considerably cooler than the early summer months. Turf conditions are generally at their best during this time.

GETTING THERE

The Hong Kong to Bangkok air route is one of the busiest in the world and a plethora of carriers, including Cathay Pacific and Thai Airways, fly between the cities numerous times a day. It's a three-hour drive from Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport to the heart of Hua Hin – but try to avoid travelling on the first day of a public holiday, when Bangkok's notorious traffic bleeds out on to the southern expressway, increasing the journey time significantly. Hua Hin is also served by regular trains from the Thai captial, but with clubs in tow this might not be the most convenient mode of transport.

NEED TO KNOW

While booking rounds directly through the golf courses themselves is not usually too much of an ordeal, various tour operators offer tailor-made packages including hotels and land transfers. Bangkok-based Golfasian.com comes highly recommended. As in China, tipping your caddie at the end of the round is expected at the vast majority of clubs in Thailand. The amount is of course up to you, but THB300-500 for 18 holes is considered the norm.