Located 25 minutes from downtown Bangkok, Thana City Golf & Sports Club is one of only a handful of golf courses in Southeast Asia designed by Australian Greg Norman. The 6,966 yard par 72 course is set in and among one of Bangkok’s biggest condominium projects and right on the flight path of approaching planes landing at Bangkoks Suvanabhumi airport.

The Bangkok golf club was the venue for several major professional tournaments including the 1993 Thailand Open, the 1994 and 1995 Kosaido Thailand Ladies Open and the final round of the Johnnie Walker Super Tour 1996 which was won by Ernie Els. In addition to Ernie, world stars such as Greg Norman, Vijay Singh, Ian Woosnam, Laura Davies, and Thai superstar Tongchai Jaidee have all teed it up on the fairways of Thana City.

The Thana City golf course and clubhouse have undergone significant improvements and renovations, respectively in 2010 and now is one of the more enjoyable Bangkok golf courses. There is variety to every hole and golfers should expect to have every aspect of their game challenged.

The golf course landscaping makes use of many native trees and flowering shrubs.  Plain grasses, reeds and lots of sand were used to create an illusion of a seaside links right in the middle of one of Bangkok's biggest condominium developments. The course layout is enhanced by natural streams, lakes and an abundance of strategically-placed sculptured sand traps. Greens are fast and well-manicured. Good sub-surface drainage allows for play throughout the year.

Accurate tee shots are required on almost every hole to avoid the many fairway bunkers and score well. The front and back nine both serve up long par-3's, especially the 240 yard 16th.  The semi-rough is quite wiry and difficult to hit from should you stray too far from the usually good-width fairways. Although these fairways may look invitingly wide from several tees, they have a habit of narrowing down to require more challenging approach shots into the greens. Many bunkers, especially greenside are high-lipped, and there are often plenty of them.

Four island greens on the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 12th holes make for some interesting approach shots. The final 18th hole is particularly difficult as it plays a par-4 to well over 440 yards. Water is in play along the entire right side and again around the green, so no matter how you drive it’s a difficult long iron or wood approach to an island green.  If that is not enough, fairway bunkers left and right add to the challenge. Bogey is a good score here.

In addition to the golf course, facilities include a modern well-kept clubhouse, swimming pool, driving range, practice facilities and a golf academy.  One highlight is the pro shop, which is one of the better stocked and more reasonably priced golf shops attached to any Bangkok golf course. Dining facilities are also recommended as a nice selection of traditional Thai, Chinese, Japanese, and western dishes are served together with ongoing beer promotions by very friendly staff. The main restaurant although nicely designed, suffers from frequent shortages of the most popular dishes. Therefore, advance ordering is suggested to be sure your preferred selection is still available.

Thana City Golf & Sports Club offers a good value-for-money, convenient and high quality golfing experience.  The staff and caddies are mostly long serving and very good at their jobs. Excellence in service and course conditioning make Thana City one of the top golf courses in Bangkok.

Designer:                            Greg Norman
Golf Cart:                             THB 600
Holes / Par / Yardage:        18 holes par 72 (6966 yards)
Established:                        1993
Golf Set:                               THB 1000
Location:                              In the flight path of Suvanabhumi Airport
Golf Shoes:                         THB 200
Distance:                             25 minutes from downtown Bangkok
Umbrella:                            THB 100
Closed on:                          Open everyday
Driving Range:                    Yes
Max. golfers per group:   Weekday: 5
                                              Weekend: 4
Facilities:                             Golf Academy, Restaurants, Swimming Pool