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Apart
from the scenic beaches, one of Thailand's primary
attractions for the recreational tourist is golf.
Due to a dramatic increase in the popularity of the
sport in Thailand, a large number of world-class courses
have sprung up, making Thailand one of Asia's premier
golfing destinations. Although these courses are relatively
new, and are therefore lacking some of the tradition
of the world's best, they are nonetheless modern,
challenging facilities, with breathtaking backdrops
and a full range of services. Most of Thailand's courses
also offer fine dining, luxury accommodation, fully
equipped pro-shops with knowledgeable pros, carts,
caddies, and rentals. Thai courses are known for their
impeccable upkeep, and also offer luxurious dressing
facilities that are often equipped with saunas and
massage facilities. This broad range of services,
along with the fact that many of Thailand's courses
are in close proximity to some of the world's finest
beach resorts, makes Thailand an ideal place to get
away for a relaxing round of golf followed by a delicious
meal on the beach. Additionally, the tropical climate
makes for fantastic golfing weather all year round,
and the greens fees are extremely reasonable by any
standard. Many of the clubs are particular about exclusivity,
however all-inclusive golfing packages are available
to most clubs.
Thailand
is ideal for golf, no matter what time of year. The
country has three distinct seasons - cool (November
- February), hot (March - June) and rainy (July -
October), with temperatures soaring up to as much
as 35 degrees Celsius or more in the hottest month
of April.Golf is fine during the rainy season as it
seldom rains for more than a couple of hours at a
time, usually in the evening or night. In the north
of Thailand, the cool season can be decidedly chilly
- you might need a sweater, especially in highland
areas - while in the rest of the country the cool
season is still hot by Western standards, certainly
over 20 degrees. The south tends to get rain throughout
the year, usually in the afternoon or evening. Probably
the best time to take to the links is in the early
morning or late afternoon, when the sun is not quite
so scorching. Some courses also offer floodlighting,
so you can even enjoy a round after sunset.
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