Memberships available:
Individual, Family, Corporate
Green fee:
Weekdays 1,800 THB,
Weekends 3,000 THB
Caddie fee:
250 THB, Golf
Golf cart hire:
600 THB
Facilities:
Driving range | Equipment Rental
Pro Shop | Resident Professional
Restaurant
Within easy reach of central Bangkok via expressway, Thana City is an excellent Greg Norman design which, over the years, has sent countless golfers away satisfied.
Not overly long at 6,966 yards off the pro tee and 6,400 off the men’s, the course has enough defence strategies to ensure that it doesn’t get overwhelmed, with strong par 3s and some quite outstanding 4s as well as an enticing 5 thrown in to tempt the glory seekers.
Water, in play on many holes, and some imaginative bunkering, particularly on the shorter par 4s, keeps the player honest but doesn’t make the course too difficult – they just make the player think a bit more, which is what good design is all about! This area is so flat that the relief has to be the creation of earth movers, who have shaped the course well whilst keeping it challenging and, above all, enjoyable.
Even the tees have the Norman touch with the pro tees called ‘Shark’, together with the normal white and red boxes. A new management team with considerable industry experience behind it is raising the standard of golf hospitality with their focus on oft-forgotten factors like the pace of play, and the quality of the overall experience the golfers go away with.
Tel. +66 (0)2 336 0567-68,
Fax. +66 (0)2 336 0570
reservation@thanacitygolf.com,
www.thanacitygolf.com
| The 3rd 155 yards par 3 is the course's first real test and so early in the round that it might lead to some grief if not handled correctly. It’s an angled tee shot over a stream that runs away from the tee, right to left to a green which is slightly elevated and rarely affords a view of the bottom of the flag. Anything short will catch the bank of the stream and be in thick rough, or get wet. A bunker protects the back half of the green which will leave a nasty sand shot with, again, water being a hazard. A good reading of the green is needed here, as few of Thana’s greens are nice, flat and easy. |  |
The 7th 529 yards par 5 is a dog-leg left and sports water all down the left side to tempt the longer hitter to cut the corner and go for glory. However, at this length, most will need to play a second to a distance that suits them; but herein lies the problem: much of the approach area has bunkers scattered all around, which puts a premium on the accurate iron shot for position. The approach can be a bit tricky as the green stands slightly elevated and hides many of the pin positions – and there's yet more bunkering to catch a loose pitch. Being stroke index 2 on the card is a bit of a clue; this hole requires full attention. |
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The 18th 425 yards par 4 is a magnificent finishing hole and arguably one of the best around if it's match play and you stand all square. This yardage is long for Thailand with trees and water on the right from the tee, and trees and a bunker on the left; a solid drive straight down the middle is the only option to get on the green in two. Even with a decent hit off the tee, the second shot will be decision time for some, as a long iron or fairway wood will be needed to get over the lake that virtually surrounds the green. Playing short to get on in three and settle for bogey might be the answer but to finish here with par, or better, is hugely rewarding. |
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In 2010 Thana City completed a major overhaul of its facilities and, with a visit in the middle of the year from designer Greg Norman to cast his eyes over his creation, everything is set for the club to go from strength to strength.
The newly renovated clubhouse affords first class changing rooms and dining facilities, ranging from an indoor restaurant and bar, a terrace overlooking the closing holes and a beverage lounge close to the tee off area, serving noodles as a speciality – something Thana has always been well known for.
The Golf Academy and driving range is worth a visit on its own and a fully stocked pro shop and function rooms complement the whole set up.
