Top 9 Golf Courses in Phuket (2025 – 2026 Guide)

Phuket has evolved into one of Asia’s premier golf destinations, combining world-class courses, tropical coastal scenery, high-level maintenance standards, and year-round playability. Unlike other destinations where golfers must travel long distances between courses, Phuket’s nine leading golf venues are all within manageable driving distances—making it ideal for short trips, multi-course golf holidays, long-stay travellers and seasonal residents.

Golf tourism has grown strongly over the past few seasons. Better infrastructure, stronger resort partnerships, and increasing demand from markets such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, Australia, Scandinavia, and the Middle East mean that Phuket now attracts golfers who return annually. Peak playing months run from December to April, with shoulder-season advantages extending into June and July. Importantly, well-draining fairways and strong maintenance practices mean Phuket golf courses remain playable even through less predictable weather periods.

Whether you are planning a dedicated golf holiday, visiting Phuket for the first time, or looking to join a club long-term, this guide breaks down the Top 9 Golf Courses in Phuket, providing detailed insight into play style, course challenge, scenery, ideal tee times and what makes each round memorable.

1. Red Mountain Golf Club – Phuket’s Most Dramatic Scenic Course

Image courtesy of Red Mountain Golf Club Phuket

If there is one course every serious golfer should play in Phuket, it is Red Mountain Golf Club. Built on an old tin-mine site, the course incorporates rugged terrain with dramatic elevation drops, canyon-cut fairways, exposed red-rock formations and panoramic viewpoints. It is widely regarded as the most visually striking golf experience in Southern Thailand.

What to expect at Red Mountain

• Steep elevation changes on multiple tee boxes
• Fast greens with challenging slopes
• Narrow driving zones on key holes
• Several forced-carry approach shots
• Impressive photographic opportunities

The signature par-3 17th is one of the most photographed holes in Thailand, played from a high vantage point down into a tight valley with steep vertical framing.

Red Mountain suits:

• Confident golfers
• Players comfortable shaping shots
• Golfers who enjoy strategic risk-reward decisions

For visitors on limited time, this is the one “bucket-list” course in Phuket.

Best tee time: Early morning (better visuals, cooler temperatures)

2. Laguna Golf Phuket – Resort-Living Golf at Its Most Accessible

Image courtesy of Laguna Golf Phuket

Laguna Golf Phuket is located within the Laguna integrated resort community in Bangtao known for five-star hotels, spas, restaurants, boutique retail and coastal paths. This is the most walkable course in Phuket and typically the most approachable layout for mixed handicap groups.

Why golfers enjoy Laguna

• Smooth fairways
• Open landing areas
• Manageable green speed
• Gentle elevation profile

Laguna focuses less on intimidation and more on enjoyable strategic play:

• Smart positioning rather than pure distance
• Rewarding par-4 birdie opportunities
• Clear course routing signs
• Excellent caddie coaching on reading greens

It is ideal for holiday golfers, corporate groups, families and long-stay residents who appreciate consistent course conditions.

Best tee time: Morning or twilight

Facility advantages: Golf academy, kids’ golf activities, resort dining and easy access to Laguna-area properties.

3. Blue Canyon Country Club – Canyon Course (Historic Championship Venue)

Image courtesy of Blue Canyon Country Club Phuket

The Blue Canyon Country Club Canyon Course is one of Thailand’s most famous tournament courses. It has hosted PGA-level events and maintains classic championship shaping—tight fairways, sculpted lake edges, tree-lined landing areas, and deep-cut bunkering.

What defines the Canyon layout

• Strategic approach play
• Demanding finishing holes
• Complex green structures
• Shot-making challenges under pressure

Players must think rather than simply swing aggressively—particularly on long par-4 segments and water-angled par-5 scoring holes.

Ideal for:

• Low handicaps
• Tournament-minded visitors
• Golfers who enjoy complexity and pacing

When played under good course speed, this is Phuket’s most technically demanding full layout.

Best tee time: Morning (strong sun exposure mid-round)

4. Blue Canyon Lakes Course – Scenic, Forgiving, Ideal for Mixed Groups

Image courtesy of Blue Canyon Country Club Phuket

The Lakes Course provides a friendlier experience than Canyon. The fairways are wider, the rough is less punishing, and many greens are receptive even to shots hit with lower ball height.

What makes Lakes popular

• Excellent scenery along waterfront holes
• Good scoring opportunities
• Relaxed pace of play
• Easy visibility of hazards

Water is present on over half the holes—but by design, it allows for conservative routing.

This is one of the best courses for:

• Group trips
• Second rounds of the day
• Intermediate golfers
• Holiday players

Best tee time: Morning for clearer lake reflection views

5. Loch Palm Golf Club – Resident-Favourite With Year-Round Playability

Image courtesy of Loch Palm Golf Club Phuket

Loch Palm is centrally located in Kathu and often considered the local “home” course for long-stay residents. Its routing surrounds Crystal Lake, giving a calming waterfront setting without imposing extremely difficult carry distances.

Loch Palm’s personality

• Very balanced layout
• Well-spaced tee boxes
• Predictable green surfaces
• Opportunity to walk

Several holes encourage strategic shot-selection rather than forced power. Its appeal lies in the fact that nearly every golfer—beginner through advanced—can have an enjoyable round.

Ideal for:

• Weekly golf
• Mid-handicaps
• Working professionals fitting golf into their schedule

Best tee time: Morning or late afternoon

Notable advantage: Convenient access from most residential zones, including Kathu-area homes and villas.

6. Phuket Country Club – Traditional Layout With Classic Rhythm

Image courtesy of Phuket Country Club Phuket

Phuket Country Club is the island’s oldest 18-hole course and retains traditional Southeast Asian golf architecture—straightforward routing, medium-difficulty slopes, open fairway visuals and consistent short-game conditions.

What makes Phuket Country Club enjoyable is familiarity. Fairways flow naturally, hole transitions are short, and the course is shaped primarily by accurate length rather than excessive challenge.

Good for:

• Mid-handicaps
• Walking players
• Those who dislike dramatic terrain shifts

This is not a “photo-highlight” course, but an authentic, comfortable round for consistent weekly play.

Best tee time: Twilight (cooler, slower pace)

7. Mission Hills Phuket Golf Resort – True Coastal Golf With Sunset Scenery

Image courtesy of Mission Hills Phuket Golf Resort

Mission Hills is the only course in Phuket offering true Andaman Sea frontage. Several holes run parallel to tidal marshland and coastal mangrove flats, producing striking horizon views and deep-orange sunset rounds.

Course profile:

• Wide-angle fairways
• Breezy, open landing zones
• Bold bunkering
• Sea-exposed approach lines

Wind dictates scoring more than terrain:

• Calm conditions make it easier to score low
• Windy conditions demand precise approach accuracy

Mission Hills is ideal for scenic holiday rounds, content creation, and relaxed group play.

Best tee time: Late afternoon (most scenic window)

8. Katathong Golf Resort – Mountain-Framed Inland Golf Destination

Image courtesy of Katathong Golf Resort

Though technically outside Phuket, Katathong is commonly included in weekly itineraries. The course sits in a mountain basin with ridge-line backdrops across multiple fairways.

Appeal points:

• Cooler inland climate
• Dramatic geological terrain
• Elevated tee positions
• Very peaceful round environment

With generous green complexes and forgiving center-line fairway edges, it is balanced—rewarding good execution without heavily punishing mistakes.

Ideal for:

• Multi-round golfers staying multiple weeks
• Players seeking scenic contrast
• Road-trip style golf experiences

Best tee time: Mornings (mountain light is stunning early)

9. Aquella Golf & Country Club – Modern, Championship-Calibre Resort Golf

Image courtesy of Aquella Golf & Country Club

Aquella is the newest premium golf venue in the Phuket region. The layout feels contemporary—wide fairway corridors, structured bunker formations, and exceptionally smooth putting surfaces.

Why Aquella stands out

• Excellent course conditioning
• Beautiful coastal finishing segments
• High-quality clubhouse dining
• Strong practice facilities

While playable for beginners from forward tees, from the back tees Aquella becomes a legitimate challenge.

Ideal for:

• Returning golfers wanting something new
• Players who appreciate modern-era designs
• Relaxed premium rounds

Best tee time: Morning or pre-sunset

Suggested Course Pairings for Your Golf Trip

For contrasting experiences, consider pairing courses as follows.

Best mix of challenge and fun

• Red Mountain
• Laguna Golf Phuket

Strategy and scenic leisure

• Canyon Course
• Lakes Course

Central convenience and sunset expression

• Loch Palm
• Mission Hills

Two-course northern experience

• Katathong
• Aquella

When Is the Best Time to Play Golf in Phuket?

High Season (November–April)

• Fast greens
• Firm fairways
• Highest tee-time demand
• Lower humidity

Shoulder Season (May–July)

• Value pricing
• Good course availability
• Morning rounds preferred

Low Season (August–October)

• Short tropical showers
• Afternoon tee times widely available
• Faster overall play

Despite seasonal shifts, maintenance consistency remains strong across Phuket’s main golf courses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most challenging golf course in Phuket?

Red Mountain and Blue Canyon’s Canyon Course are generally regarded as the most challenging layouts.

Which Phuket golf course is best for beginners?

Laguna Golf Phuket, Loch Palm Golf Club, and the Lakes Course at Blue Canyon are all suitable for beginners and mixed-ability groups.

Which course has the best scenery?

Red Mountain offers dramatic mining canyon terrain, Mission Hills features sea-facing holes, and Aquella delivers a modern coastal finishing stretch.

Which course is closest to Phuket International Airport?

Blue Canyon (both courses) and Mission Hills are the closest to Phuket International Airport.

Which golf course is most walkable?

Laguna, Phuket Country Club and parts of Loch Palm are among the most walkable courses in Phuket.

Which course is best for mixed-ability groups?

Laguna, Lakes, and Loch Palm all work well for mixed-ability groups.

Final Thoughts

Phuket offers an unusually diverse, compact and high-quality golf ecosystem. Within 40 minutes of most major areas, golfers can choose between dramatic canyon terrain, coastal views, traditional layouts, championship-level routing, and relaxed social rounds.

Whether you are planning a golf holiday, exploring long-stay options, or simply want an itinerary that makes every round distinct, playing a mix of Red Mountain, Laguna, Blue Canyon, Loch Palm, Mission Hills, Katathong and Aquella gives you a complete sense of Phuket’s golf identity.

This guide has been prepared so you can easily compare playing conditions, scenery, challenge levels and accessibility—allowing you to build your own personalised golf schedule in Phuket.

Live Near Phuket’s Top Golf Courses

Golf in Phuket isn’t just a holiday activity—many long-stay residents and investors choose properties near the major courses because of their year-round accessibility, established communities, and strong rental demand from golf-focused travellers.

Areas surrounding Laguna Golf Phuket, Blue Canyon, and Loch Palm offer:

• Premium villa estates and gated compounds
• Resort-managed condominium options
• Convenient access to schools, beaches, and retail destinations
• Proven long-stay rental demand

If you are planning a golf trip to Phuket and are in search of comfortable short-term accommodation, Issara Real Estate also offers premium vacation rentals near many of Phuket’s top golf courses. From private pool villas to resort-style condominiums, our short-stay options provide convenient access to Laguna Golf Phuket, Blue Canyon, Loch Palm, and Mission Hills.

Explore vacation rentals in Phuket perfectly suited for golf holidays.

If you are exploring a move to Phuket, Issara Real Estate can help you shortlist properties that align not only with lifestyle, but also long-term value.

Begin exploring curated property listings in Phuket’s golf-residential zones.