Did you know that Thailand is called the golf capital of Asia? It’s home to more than 200 spectacular golf courses, some of which have hosted PGA and LPGA events. The country may be better known for its beaches and parties, but it’s also an amazing golfing destination.
Whether you’ve moved here permanently, you’re digital-nomading yourself around the country, or you’re simply visiting for a while, don’t miss the chance to get out on the golf course.
You don’t need to skip the beaches or avoid the national parks, but here’s why golf is the perfect sport to take you outdoors in Thailand!
It’s a Great Opportunity to Experience Nature
Thailand is known for its stunning natural scenery. It’s tropical, filled with unique wildlife (over 10% of the world’s animals are found here!), and the warm climate makes it feel summery all year round.
You can go on a hike in one of the national parks or spend some time in a small local village enjoying the scenery and the lifestyle. But if you want to be close to nature in a different way for a while, getting out on the golf course is a unique but worthwhile way to do so.
While you aren’t going to run into an elephant on the golf course, you are likely to experience some of Thailand’s smaller wildlife as you make your way through a round.
Many golf courses also offer spectacular sea or mountain views. Play a round near sunset and you’ll be afforded stunning photo opportunities!
You might think any golf course is just like the last golf course. But each one offers something different in terms of layout, views, and feeling.
It’s a lovely way to get in touch with nature in a quiet, tranquil way. This brings us to the next reason why golf is the perfect sport to take you outdoors in Thailand…
It’s Away From the Crowds
Did you know that Thailand has the most tourists per capita than anywhere else in the world? It’s no secret that tourists love the country for its beauty, culture, food, and affordable travel and activities.
But this means that at any given point during the year, it’s likely to be swarming with people, locals, and tourists enjoying the beaches, the national parks, the street markets, and the parties.
While we highly recommend taking some time to explore all of the above, if you’re looking for a way to get away from the crowds and still enjoy the beauty Thailand has to offer, the golf course is an excellent place to be.
Even if the course is on the busy side, you’ll get a bit of time and space from other places so you can play your round comfortably. No matter how hectic the course does get, it’s still far more tranquil than the beach!
It’s a Great Way to Get Some Exercise
There are plenty of ways to get active and get your steps in when you’re in Thailand. But golf is a great one to choose from for a variety of reasons.
Firstly, there’s something to be said about doing your exercise outdoors. Plenty of research suggests that exercising in nature has more effect than exercising indoors or on a simple sports field. It’s also great for your mental health to get some sunlight and fresh air.
If counting steps is part of your fitness, a round of golf consists of over 10,000 steps, just over 1,500 per hole! That means in just 4 or 5 hours, you can hit your daily step count comfortably.
If calories are more your focus, a round of golf—walking and the action of swinging your clubs—can burn between 800 and 1,500 calories, depending on your body weight, fitness level, and metabolism.
Your swing also works more muscles than you realize. Your chest, shoulders, biceps, triceps, abs, and glutes get a workout! And that’s excluding the leg workout you get walking the course.
Keep in mind that if you take a golf cart, you miss out on thousands of steps and hundreds of burnt calories!
You Can Do It Your Way
One of the best things about golf is that you can play it your way. You don’t need anyone else to join you… Or, you can hit the golf course in a large group.
This makes it very versatile. Need some alone time? Play a solitary round while the rest of the family enjoys another activity. Or, if you want to get away from the craziness of the beach but still hang out with the family, take them along and play a round together!
You can play golf alone, as a couple, in a group, with friends, or even with strangers. It also doesn’t really matter what your level of skill is. Stronger players can motivate and help weaker ones, or if you’re teaching your kids how the sport works, you can always play 9 holes instead of 18 or practice on the driving and putting range before getting onto the main course.
Conclusion
Next time you’re looking for something to do in Thailand other than partying, watersports, or catching a tan on the beach, consider getting in a round of golf!
It’s a lovely way to experience a different side of the country, be out amongst nature, and have some fun while getting some exercise in at the same time.
Don’t forget to wear your best golf hat and sunglasses, and layer up with sunscreen, because nothing ruins a day of golf like getting a bad sunburn! Make sure you stay hydrated as well, so you can play your best and feel good afterward, too.
Koh Phangan doesn’t actually have any full golf courses on it, but it’s easy to find adventure golf and mini golf across the island. But the beauty of Thailand is that it’s easy to travel from one place to another, so if there’s no full golf course where you are, there’s bound to be one nearby.
About the Author
Jordan Fuller is a retired golfer who’s played on amazing courses across the world. When he’s not on the course, he can be found researching and writing value-packed articles for his own website, Golf Influence.
To read more on topics like this, check out the Travel category
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