"Samui is Thailand’s new golfing paradise"Golf has a long tradition in Thailand; the first courses were laid out under Royal patronage in the 1900s. There are now over a hundred championship standard courses located throughout the country, many of them created by famous international designers and set amid attractive tropical scenery. Thai courses offer a range of challenges and conditions. They are superbly maintained and remarkably uncrowded by world standards. A warm tropical climate and well-equipped modern clubhouses complete the appeal for visiting golfers. On Koh Samui, the following facilities and services guarantee a pleasurable golfing experience: Equipment and LessonsAlex Lester from the UK runs the island’s main golf shop, Samui Golf. He is also a professional instructor from England with ten years PGA experience through four different golf clubs. He offers basic instruction for beginners at the local driving range or more advanced courses for those who wish to reduce their handicap. Prices start from 1,250 baht per person for one hour. Alex also offers special packages for a series of prepaid lessons. Samui Golf provides good quality rental equipment for both right and left- handed golfers with prices starting from 700 baht. Alex can be contacted at Samui Golf The Samui Golf Club & Driving Range is located on a hillside in the coconut palms. It features a 250-yard driving range and putting green. The Santiburi Samui Country Club is located in Maenam on the northern coast of Samui. This unique, international standard golf course was skillfully designed to blend with the natural beauty of its surroundings. Each hole is positioned along the different altitudes of the natural hills, which makes for a challenging, spectacular round of golf. Players enjoy magnificent, bird’s-eye views of the ocean and offshore islands, which give the Santiburi Samui Country Club its own special identity and distinguishes it from other courses in Thailand. The Santiburi Samui Country Club also hosts part of the Asian PGA Tour, sponsored by Bangkok Airways.
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