Planning a golf holiday in Phuket? Phuket really does have it all: beautiful beaches, great golf, and lots of tours and excursions, all on one island. It sometimes gets a bad reputation, mainly because people who visit Patong, the party town, assume all of Phuket is like that. It isn’t. I’ve lived in Phuket for the last four years, and for me it is either number one or number two for a golf holiday in Thailand. You just need to know where to go.
Prefer to watch? I walk through the full Phuket golf guide in the video below. You can also explore our Phuket golf destination page for sample itineraries and Phuket golf packages.
Inside this Phuket golf guide
Where to stay on a Phuket golf holiday
Phuket is a big island, and where you stay changes your whole trip. You can’t just think “I’m going to Phuket”; each town gives you a totally different experience, and a different drive to the first tee. Here are the areas I think are worth it, from north to south.
Khao Lak
Technically not in Phuket at all, Khao Lak is about an hour north of the island and is getting more popular every year. It’s perfect for a relaxing beach-style getaway, with lovely golf courses nearby, most notably Aquella and Katathong. Off the course there’s Khao Sok National Park, the Similan Islands, elephant sanctuaries and cooking classes.
Choose your hotel carefully: some beautiful beachfront properties are very remote. We like the hotels below because they all have beach access and are within walking distance of the bars and restaurants.
- 5-star: La Vela, Ramada and La Flora
- 4-star: Chongfah
Nai Yang
Nai Yang is just ten minutes from the airport and ten minutes from both Blue Canyon golf courses. It’s a real up-and-coming area with very good prices, a lovely beach and possibly the best sunset in Phuket. There are lots of local and beach-style restaurants; nightlife is limited for now, but I think that will change over the next few years. Perfect for a chilled getaway that still has a lively feel.
- 5-star: The Slate and Dewa
- 4-star: Bella Nara
Bang Tao
Bang Tao is very popular, and for good reason. It’s probably my favourite beach on the island. You’re five minutes from Laguna Golf Phuket, about 25 minutes from the Blue Canyon courses and 30 to 40 minutes from Red Mountain and Loch Palm.
Bang Tao has more beachfront hotels than most areas, but you pay for the privilege. The beach and the town are a three-to-five-minute drive apart, so beachfront guests will taxi into town. It’s worth it: Boat Avenue has a lovely Friday evening market and some excellent high-end bars and restaurants all week.
- 5-star: SAii Laguna, Banyan Tree and The Surin
- 4-star: Arinara and Sole Mio
Kamala
Kamala is one of my favourite areas—every time my parents visit, they spend most of their time on Kamala Beach. For golf, the location is fantastic: right in the centre of the west coast, with every good course within 30 to 40 minutes. The beach is beautiful, with plenty of beach cafés and restaurants, and the small town has a good atmosphere.
The downside is the hotels. Beachfront properties are either very expensive or a little lower in quality, so you are paying for location. Our other picks are slightly out of town or simpler, but well placed.
- 5-star: Andara Villas and Twin Palms Montazure
- 4-star: Sunprime (amazing location, more traditional style) and Cape Sienna (lovely hotel, a little further from the beach)
Patong
Patong is the busiest part of Phuket, and the reason many people think Phuket is only a party island. If you want nightlife, high-end bars and restaurants and plenty of buzz, it’s perfect, and we send quite a lot of groups here. We book hotels on the outskirts of Patong so you still get a relaxing stay without being far from the action.
- 5-star: Hotel Indigo and Amari
- 4-star: Four Points by Sheraton and The Kee
Karon & Kata
Karon and Kata are in the south of the island. Kata is a vibrant little town with bars, restaurants and nightlife that isn’t overly backpacker-style, and a really beautiful beach. The trade-off is distance: from Kata, Blue Canyon is about 1 hour 20 minutes away, and Aquella is around two hours, so it isn’t realistic for a round there.
We usually send golfers to the northern beaches, but if you’re splitting your stay between north and south, Kata is a great second base.
- 5-star: Mom Tri’s Villa Royale—I really like this place
- 4-star: Metadee Concept
The best golf courses in Phuket
Everybody has their favourites, but here are my rankings of the best golf courses in Phuket, in order. For a deeper course-by-course look, read our guide to the best golf courses in Phuket.
1. Red Mountain
Possibly my favourite course in Thailand. Every hole is interesting, it’s very challenging, and it’s a must-play on any Thailand golf holiday.
2. Blue Canyon – Canyon Course
A wonderful course and very different to Red Mountain: a true championship-style layout with an extremely interesting routing and very challenging putting.
3. Blue Canyon – Lakes Course
I really love this layout. It isn’t as famous as the Canyon Course, but to be honest I actually prefer playing the Lakes.
4. Aquella
Aquella is in Khao Lak, so it’s further away than the other courses. It has the best clubhouse in the region, the course itself is lovely, and it’s one of the only courses in the area with an ocean view from one of its holes.
5. Loch Palm
Definitely worth playing. It’s a lot less challenging than Red Mountain but in a similar mountain-and-jungle setting, so it’s ideal for a more relaxing round.
6. Laguna Golf Phuket
Some people would rank Laguna higher than I do. It has a lovely clubhouse and an interesting layout, but it is a resort-style course. It’s a good course if you’re a low handicapper.
7. Mission Hills
It has the potential to be one of the best courses in the area and is one of the few courses in Thailand with beautiful ocean views, but it is often let down by maintenance. Worth playing for the scenery, as long as you know what to expect.
8. Katathong
A beautiful course nestled in the mountains of Phang Nga. It’s only this low on the list because of the travel time if you aren’t staying in Nai Yang or Khao Lak.
9. Phuket Country Club
Not a bad course, with a fairly interesting layout, but I would play Red Mountain or Blue Canyon twice before playing here.
Things to do in Phuket between rounds
Unlike Hua Hin, Phuket has no shortage of things to do. These are the tours and excursions I recommend on a rest day:
- James Bond Island with Captain Mark — probably my favourite tour I’ve done in Thailand: James Bond Island, kayaking and sea eagles. I won’t say too much; you have to experience it.
- An ethical elephant sanctuary — there are quite a few in Phuket, and every one we recommend is ethical.
- A Thai cooking class — many hotels offer one, but we prefer the authentic version with a local market visit and a traditional-style class.
- Koh Phi Phi by speedboat — great snorkelling, with reef sharks and all kinds of fish. The island itself is overcrowded and very commercial, so it’s the least fun part.
- The Similan Islands — also a little commercial, but beautiful snorkelling and less crowded than Phi Phi. Choosing the right tour operator matters.
- Cheow Lan Lake and Khao Sok National Park — if you’re staying in Khao Lak, it’s well worth it: real jungle with lots of wildlife. You can even stay overnight in a floating bungalow.
- A jet ski tour — really good fun if you want something exhilarating.
- Phuket Old Town and the Big Buddha — the Big Buddha is down south, and I highly recommend Old Town, especially the Sunday evening market.
And honestly, there’s so much more in Phuket that I can’t mention everything.
The best restaurants in Phuket
The best restaurant for you really depends on where you’re staying, but these are my top spots in Phuket:
- Black Ginger at The Slate
- Mom Tri’s Kitchen
- Baan Rim Pa
- The Charm Dining Gallery
- Meg Khram
- Sala Mexicali
- Beach Cuisine
Phuket golf packages
Phuket is the place for golfers who want championship courses and a proper beach holiday on the same trip, which is why it features in so many of our Thailand golf packages. Every one of our Phuket golf packages is tailor-made: we match the area and hotel to your group, book your tee times, and arrange private transfers and on-the-ground support around your budget and the number of rounds you want to play.
Phuket also works brilliantly as part of a bigger Thailand golf package or a longer Thailand golf vacation, paired with Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hua Hin or Pattaya. Comparing regions? See our top 4 golf destinations in Thailand, the 10 must-play golf courses in Thailand, or episode 1 of this series, our Hua Hin golf holiday guide.
Phuket golf holiday FAQs
Is Phuket good for a golf holiday?
Yes. Phuket is one of the best golf holiday destinations in Thailand, combining championship courses such as Red Mountain and Blue Canyon with beautiful beaches, great food and plenty to do between rounds. The key is staying in the right part of the island.
What are the best golf courses in Phuket?
Our favourites, in order, are Red Mountain, Blue Canyon (Canyon Course), Blue Canyon (Lakes Course), Aquella, Loch Palm and Laguna. Mission Hills and Katathong are also worth playing in the right circumstances.
Where is the best place to stay in Phuket for golf?
For golf, the west-coast beaches in the north and centre of the island work best. Nai Yang is ten minutes from Blue Canyon, Bang Tao is five minutes from Laguna, and Kamala puts every good course within 30 to 40 minutes. Khao Lak suits a quieter getaway with Aquella and Katathong nearby.
Is Patong a good base for a Phuket golf trip?
Patong suits golfers who want nightlife and lots of restaurants. We book hotels on the edge of Patong so you get a quieter stay while still being close to the action.
When is the best time for a golf vacation in Phuket?
November to April is the best time for a golf vacation in Phuket, as it is the dry season with calmer seas for island trips. Golf is playable all year, and the quieter months can offer good value.
Do you offer Phuket golf packages?
Yes. Every Luxury Golf Tours Asia Phuket golf package is tailor-made, with your hotel, tee times, private transfers and on-the-ground support arranged around your group. Phuket also combines well with Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hua Hin or Pattaya as part of a wider Thailand golf package.
Phuket golf tours to get you started
Every tour below is fully tailor-made, so treat these as a starting point and we’ll shape the hotels, courses and nights around your group.
Destination photos via Wikimedia Commons: Khao Lak by Allen (CC BY 2.0); Nai Yang Beach by Wolfgang Holzem (CC BY-SA 4.0); Kamala Beach by Gossipguy (CC BY-SA 3.0); Patong Beach by Scott Paul Riefler (CC BY-SA 4.0); Karon Viewpoint by Bennypc (CC BY-SA 4.0); James Bond Island by Vyacheslav Argenberg (CC BY 4.0); Koh Phi Phi by Caitriana Nicholson (CC BY-SA 2.0); Cheow Lan Lake by The Cosmonaut (CC BY-SA 2.5); Phuket Old Town by Christophe95 (CC BY-SA 4.0); Big Buddha by Subhrajyoti07 (CC BY-SA 4.0).
