Memberships available:
Individual, Family
Green fee:
Weekdays 800 THB
Weekends 1,200 THB
Caddie fee:
200 THB
Golf cart hire:
650 THB
Facilities:
Accommodation | Driving Range
Pro Shop | Equipment Rental
Resident Professional | Massage
Restaurant
This is really a weekend trip, since it’s a good journey from Bangkok or Pattaya, so it makes sense to book for at least one night and play two days of golf. Soi Dao is nestled in the hills amidst some scenic countryside. At 6,642 yards from the white tees, it’s a testing course and at 6,182 yards from the yellows, it provides an interesting challenge for the less skilled golfers. Up hill and down dale, the course is beautifully laid out with natural streams and jungle surrounding many of the holes, while the sounds emanating from the nearby forest make for a pleasant walk and a great place to stay.
Tel. +66 (0)39 320174-6
Fax. +66 (0)39 320177
Bangkok Office
Tel. +66 (0)2 231 5989-92
e.booking@soidaohighland.com
w. www.soidaohighland.com
| The 3rd 192 yards par 3 is deceptive, with a big hit needed over a small lake in front of the green, a bunker and a jungleclad slope left and a large bunker right. There’s a small bail-out area just short and right of the hole, which might allow a chip for par, but be wary of the bunker. It’s significantly downhill, so probably a club less than the yardage suggests, depending on what the wind is doing. The green slopes towards the front, so just short of the hole will do nicely. |  |
| The 11th 442 yards par 4 is quite rightly stroke index 2 and requires a fairly precise drive to get the ball in play. It’s significantly downhill to start with, but there’s an out of bounds line down the left and a bunker on the right to catch the fearful. Aim right and hit a solid draw to get the best position on the fairway. You then have to negotiate a long second shot over a ravine with trees left and right to catch wayward shots. The ground dips before rising again to the green, making correct club selection a must. |  |
| The 17th 363 yards par 4 can be awkward if you approach it wrongly. A large tree sits in the middle of the fairway leaving a choice for the drive, but despite there being a hazard on the left, the best placement is on that side. Going right risks being blocked by a tree, but either way, the approach is tricky as the green slopes severely towards you. Leave a firm uphill putt for par or birdie. Putting downhill on this hole can leave a nasty taste if you’re on a good round with one hole left to play. |  |
The clubhouse restaurant serves reasonably priced food and has a patio looking up the course. In the evenings the surrounding hills can be covered in mist, as this range is one of the highest in the east of Thailand. After play, the nearby wildlife sanctuary and waterfalls at Nam Tok Khao Soi Dao is worthy of a visit and the falls are fun for a refreshing dip.
It’s folklore that over 200 years ago not far from here, King Taksin the Great gave a speech instructing his army to destroy their food before attacking the Burmese holding nearby Chantaburi; they’d have to fight hard to quench their hunger.
