Must-Play Golf Course in Thailand: Chee Chan Golf

Thailand — a leisure travel paradise, with many high-quality golf courses offering professional championship-level difficulty designs at relatively low costs, allowing golf enthusiasts to enjoy the game with a relaxed attitude while conquering the course. Thaihao.com, in collaboration with Chiewei Travel Trade Company, recommends golf course information and provides related services.

Thailand's Must-Play Golf Courses: 17

Chee Chan Golf

Chee Chan Golf (สนามชีจรรย์ กอล์ฟ), established in 2018, quickly entered the list of Thailand’s top 100 golf courses in the following year. Every hole offers a view of the famous Khao Chee Chan Buddha (Seven Wonders Buddha), allowing golfers to enjoy a panoramic view of Pattaya, the Central Gulf, and Thailand Bay. This course is considered one of the most beautiful modern golf courses in Asia.

Golf Course at the Foot of the Seven Wonders Buddha

Many people have heard of Chee Chan because of the 110-meter-high golden Khao Chee Chan Buddha sculpture carved on the mountainside, considered the largest Buddha in the world. In 1996, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Thai King’s reign, the Buddha was officially named Phra Phuttha Maha Wachira Uttamopat Satsada, symbolizing peace and tranquility. Today, it is a famous landmark. The golf course lies directly beneath this giant Buddha, offering stunning visual effects and a significant golfing challenge.

Designed by Master Dale

The golf course spans 580 rai (229 acres) and was designed by David Dale from Golfplan, with landscape design by GCH.

The course consists of 18 holes with a par of 72, featuring lush fairways, rolling hills, and lakes. Ranging from 6,527 yards to 7,345 yards, it offers challenges suitable for players of all levels.

The land and surrounding terrain are hilly, providing a sense of space and openness, offering a "Scottish Highlands" experience compared to other golf courses in Pattaya.

The course features optimal design with a low handicap, and unlike other courses, the fairways and tees are planted with Zoysia grass, while the greens have a Tifeagle Bermuda grass surface that’s excellent for putting. The layout provides both easy spots and challenging sand traps and wetlands. A long uphill fairway presents a challenge not found at other Pattaya golf courses.

Incorporating Thai Cultural Elements

"According to Korean customs, the design of golf courses must include a rest house in the middle of every 9 holes," explained Dale. "At Chee Chan, we are very close to this culture, and we emphasize this experience repeatedly. Based on my observations, holes 5, 6, 11, 14, and 17 all face the Buddha Mountain — holes 11 and 17 offer a great view of Buddhist temples on different slopes. This experience is unique because it is deeply rooted in Thai culture."

The course's official website highlights, "We welcome golfers who wish to enjoy a snack before or after their round to use our resthouses, located beside the 6th and 14th greens."

Increased Mental Challenge Due to the Buddha Statue

"We cannot miss the opportunity to let golfers begin their spiritual journey under the watchful eyes of the Buddha," said Dale. "The Buddha invites us to make decisions at the first tee: conservatively aiming to the right, up the hill approaching the green, crossing deep sand traps, or taking a more aggressive line (left of the central sand trap) for a downhill approach with no obstacles to a clean putting surface."

Dale emphasized, "There’s much to learn from the Buddha, who teaches us a 'middle way' between sensory indulgence and extreme asceticism. For golfers, this clear message is: relax and stay on the fairway."

The 1st hole’s green is guarded by a sand trap; the layout of the slopes and ball placements is tricky. The key to mastering this hole lies in hitting the second shot accurately and finding a feel on the undulating green.

Scenic 14th Hole

EasyGolfBooking.com recommends the picturesque 14th hole as a must-play at Chee Chan Golf. This long par-5 hole is 585 yards from the championship tee and 536 yards from the front tees. The left side of the fairway is protected by water all the way to the green, with numerous sand traps testing your accuracy. Overall, it offers a comprehensive challenge to golfers, testing overall skills.

Challenging 15th Hole

The 15th hole of the course is ranked by Asia Golf Experiences as one of the most challenging holes in Thailand.

A par 4 hole, with the back tee at 340 yards and the white tees at 295 yards, it looks tempting. Since it is a dogleg hole, the actual distance is shorter, giving some skilled players a chance to reach the green. However, the sand traps near the green and within 100 yards of the hole are deep, and failing to reach the target area can lead to a disastrous result!

The green slopes from back to front, and an uphill putt should yield a birdie, but making par with two putts is a solid result—especially when a player from the same group walks away with a long face after struggling in the sand traps.

Luxurious and Complete Surrounding Facilities

The Chee Chan clubhouse is modern and practical, yet understated, with an international atmosphere. Its five-star service can be compared to the best in Asia.

The surrounding facilities are comprehensive, including restaurants, shops, accommodations, and a full range of practice facilities, such as a USGA-affiliated driving range, an academy, putting green, and chipping area.

Exclusive Discounts for Golfers

Friends interested in playing at Chee Chan Golf can get better rates than those published by the course through Chi Wei Travel Trade Company (Contact: Chen Lianhan, Kamthon C. Phone: 0894458878; or Line: arhone, WeChat: arhonechen52). You can also arrange for transportation, accommodation booking, or nearby tours.

Course Overview

Location: Approximately a 40-minute drive from Pattaya

Address: 108/18 Moo 6, Na Jom tien, Sattahip District, Chon Buri 20250

Course Details: 18 holes, Par 72

Operating Hours: 06:00-18:00

Established: 2018

Designer: David Dale from Golf Plan

Course Length: Black Tee 7345 yards, Blue Tee 6881 yards, White Tee 6527 yards, Red Tee 5406 yards

Green Fees: Weekdays 5500 Baht (includes golf cart and caddie fee), Weekends and Holidays 6500 Baht (includes golf cart and caddie fee). (Note: Course adjusts fees based on season)

Rental Fees: Golf clubs 1500 Baht, Golf shoes 200 Baht, Umbrella 100 Baht

Facilities: Practice area, lounge, restaurant, shops, accommodations

Awards: Awarded the World Golf Awards as Thailand’s Best Golf Course in 2020 and 2021