It’s Monday morning in Phuket and I’ve arrived on the golf course sporting a yellow wristband. Tomorrow I’ll swap it for a pink one. On Wednesday: a inexperienced one.
If I stated on Sunday it might be purple, golf followers might begin to remedy the riddle. Tiger Woods famously wore purple on Sundays, an concept handed to him by his Thai mom Kultida. In Thai tradition every day is related to a fortunate color and immediately (Monday) it’s yellow.
My wristband definitely brings me some good luck on the par-4 fifth when a leaked drive to the appropriate stops inside inches of the water. However it may well’t work miracles and I do discover the moist stuff on one other couple of holes.
My caddie for the day is Ning – all of the pink-clad caddies are feminine, which is widespread in Asia – and though English isn’t her native tongue she speaks the language of golf completely. Sadly for me that usually entails “water water” or “bunker bunker” however she appears to precisely assess how far I hit every membership after only one drive and iron to the par-4 opener. Past that she’s like all of the Thai folks I come throughout – glad, tremendous well mannered and useful. She has an important chuckle too.
I play the entrance 9 in heat sunshine however Ning’s warning of “rain come” after a look to the darking skies within the distance manifests on the thirteenth. Sadly 13 is taken into account unfortunate in Thai tradition too so the heavens open. That makes the already tougher and longer again 9 play tougher but it surely doesn’t dampen the temper.
General, Laguna Phuket is a really pleasurable, scenic take a look at. Fairway bunkers are strategically positioned and a pointy quick recreation is required. The greens are on the sluggish facet for my spherical as a result of rains which is simply in addition to the mix of fast surfaces and slopes would actually make it a problem.
I spoke with basic golf supervisor Stephen Chick for extra perception.
Inform me in regards to the course. What are its key attributes?
I’ll listing just a few key attributes right here: built-in resort vacation spot, PGA-branded Academy, Championship requirements, scenic tropical setting, accessibility, hospitality, worldwide membership group, way of life location inside Phuket and occasion functionality.
How difficult is it for a low handicapper?
The course is difficult for all ranges of gamers, however it is extremely fairly on the attention throughout your spherical in order that helps you forgot a number of the challenges. The most important problem can be across the greens, though place off some tees is essential. When you’ve managed that then chipping and placing requires ability to navigate a number of the slopes across the greens.
How would an 18-handicapper or increased get on at Laguna Phuket?
The fantastic thing about an 18 handicap is you understand you will have one shot to spare on every gap so should you’re off the tee easily then you’ll be able to chill out across the greens however there may be water ready across the fairways in case you aren’t correct off the tee.
Does it deal with the rains properly?
Sure, very properly. As all greens are raised they naturally drain properly.
What’s the course file – each for males and women?
The present course file is held by a 16-year-old feminine, who scored 58 in Could 2026 on the lately hosted Annika Invitational. Her title is Marisa Tojai.
What tournaments has it held?
Laguna Golf Phuket has been the host venue for the Singha Laguna Phuket Open for 10 years which is an occasion on the All Thailand Golf Tour which has typically been co-sanctioned with the Asian Improvement Tour and Asian Tour. Not too long ago, it hosted the Annika Sorenstam Basis in addition to the Sir Nick Faldo basis and World Newbie.
Have you ever had any well-known folks enjoying the course – both golfers or celebs?
Legends comparable to Sir Nick Faldo and Gary Participant have been to Laguna Golf Phuket and celebs comparable to Maroon 5 have performed too.
Some other issues in regards to the course you’d like to inform us about?
Laguna Golf Phuket additionally has the one PGA branded Golf Academy in south-east Asia and we have now 4 PGA professionals obtainable for golf classes.
The fantastic thing about Laguna Phuket is that the expertise goes manner past golf.
I’m right here with my girlfriend and the resort is completely set as much as cater for and entertain {couples}, households and golfers too.
Whereas ready to tee off I chat to an English man who’s right here with three different mates and their households. Some are right here to play golf; others to pattern the gorgeous accommodations and on-site points of interest.
Angsana
We keep at two of the property’s six accommodations. First up is Angsana the place we benefit from the luxurious lodging of a Loft – a two-floor condo that overlooks a lagoon. It’s an ideal place to unwind.
On arrival, we’re greeted with a gong and given wrist bracelets with our names on! What a beautiful welcome!
Then it’s a champagne lunch on the Rava Seashore Membership the place our glasses are topped up by a person in a white go well with on stilts whereas a woman in a sequin purple gown performs a saxophone. For a second I feel I’m nonetheless on the aircraft from Manchester having an odd dream however, no, that is actual!
Later that day we attend a Thai Inhaler Workshop, a peaceable aperitif for the relatively wonderful his and hers, side-by-side, Thai therapeutic massage that follows on the award-winning Angsana Spa.
Muscle tissues and joints loosened up – very welcome after an extended flight – we take pleasure in a pre-dinner cocktail on the beachfront at Xana earlier than tucking into some excellent native fish dishes at Bodega & Grill.
Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket
For the ultimate two nights we change to the Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket which has extra of an genuine Thai really feel and a powerful seaside vibe. Our room seems out to the gorgeous Andaman sea and sitting on the balcony watching the waves is an absolute deal with.
Higher nonetheless is to wander outdoors to the newly-refurbished Casuarina Seashore Membership the place the ocean is a greenside chip away. Mediterranean meals and cocktails at primetime sundown because the ocean laps. A hearth starter present on one evening. Take all of it in.
We additionally take pleasure in sushi there on our last day, contemporary from the indulgence of a second Thai therapeutic massage – this one outdoors within the backyard. It takes rest ranges off the size because the sounds of the ocean and tweeting birds present a blissful soundtrack.
In addition to tucking right into a hearty breakfast – native and worldwide choices – at Laguna Cafe we additionally take pleasure in dinner at La Trattoria – seafood pizza for me, steak for Jane – and, most memorable of all, genuine Thai delicacies at Benjarong the place we pattern the signature dish: Flambeed Phuket lobster served with candy purple curry sauce (this one has Michelin Plate recognition no much less!).
On day three we’re again to the Laguna Cafe for lunch earlier than heading additional afield.
Past Laguna Phuket
Whereas extra golf and additional unwinding across the pool are tempting choices, we additionally need to see a bit extra of Phuket.
The best possibility is to ebook an air-conditioned van. Our driver takes us on a spherical journey to see the road artwork and bustle of Phuket Previous City, the gorgeous temples at Wat Chalong and, after a sluggish, steep and winding hillside climb, the enormous and spectacular Huge Buddha. It’s a must-see and a particular private spotlight. We’re fortunate as Huge Buddha solely lately opened once more after landslides.
Driving dwelling we view the sights and sounds of Phuket’s west coast together with Karon Seashore and Patong Seashore.
Conclusions
This actually was a wow expertise from begin to end. I took it in as a part of a pair – on reserving.com {couples} charge Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket at 9.2 out of 10 for a two-person journey – however households and teams of golfers would take pleasure in it simply as a lot.
How did somebody shoot 58 on Laguna Phuket?! Hats off to Thai teenager Marisa Tojai. Bear in mind the title.After an important chat about golf in Asia with Samir Wildemann, the Common Supervisor at Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket, one thought is that golfers on the lookout for an even bigger, longer journey may base themselves at Laguna Phuket, play another programs (Purple Mountain, Blue Canyon) in Phuket too after which even journey on to Vietnam, one thing of a hidden gem for golfers.
The true acid take a look at of a vacation vacation spot is a) would you suggest it to others? b) would you return? For Laguna Phuket, the solutions are simple: sure and sure. The Thai persons are an absolute delight and all of the workers simply can’t do sufficient.
Could is taken into account the off-season however though we had bursts of rain at factors, sunshine as a rule gained the battle of the skies. Don’t presume that the rain image in your telephone means it chucks it down consistently. It doesn’t.Assured sunshine at different instances of the 12 months clearly push costs up in peak season however listed here are the prices for our journey in late Could.
Some costs
Our relatively grand two-storey suite (One-Bed room Loft) at Angsana prices below £200. A extra normal Laguna Room – King is round £110 in late Could.
Our Premier Ocean Entrance Room (King Mattress) at Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket prices £160 per evening. Members get it for simply £135 and that features breakfast.
Extra particulars could be discovered right here:
Web sites
LagunagolfphuketLaguna Golf Charges and Memberships
Lagunagolfphuket
Closing thought…
This was my first journey to Thailand and I’m positive it gained’t be the final.
After posting a photograph of my spherical at Laguna Golf Phuket and asking if anybody has stayed right here, one good friend on X, Mike Miller, replied: “Hell of a fancy; huge. I rapidly labored out it’s essential tee-off early. Afternoon/night was just about solely for: alcohol, totally excellent contemporary seafood and massages. Joyful days!”
Mike, a Kiwi, has travelled far and huge so his view is revered.
If Laguna Golf Phuket hadn’t appeared in your radar earlier than… properly, it must. Great folks, great resort and a golf course that can need you coming again for extra.
Web site: Laguna Phuket, Thailand – Asia’s premier built-in destinationInstagram: Laguna Phuket (@laguna.phuket) • Instagram images and movies
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