The Perfect Husband

One thing great is that you won't get one of these calls when you are in the locker room here in the Land of Smiles.....

LPGA could change their 'female at birth' rule this month - Devil Ball Golf - Golf - Yahoo! Sports

One of the things I love so much about the LPGA are the ladies, and not that is to be changed.

LPGA could change their 'female at birth' rule this month - Devil Ball Golf - Golf - Yahoo! Sports

A visit to Thaniya Plaza

I had a chance to drop by Thaniya Plaza the other day.  Thaniya Plaza is one place in Bangkok where golfers visit to see the latest golf equipment and to shop for those things only golfers will appreciate.  Its a shopping mall where the majority of tenants are golf shops.  From major manufacturers like Titleist, Ping, and Nike to the specialized high end shops like Honma, to the used golf equipment shops, there is something for almost everyone.  There is clothing, lessons, and resort bookings available.  Here is a directory of all the shops in Thaniya Plaza from their website.

Thaniya Plaza is in the Silom District of Bangkok and can be easily reached by the BTS Skytrain.  Get off at the Saladaeng station and follow the signs to the Thaniya plaza exit.  The plaza itself is connected via their 'BTS Wing' which has a door right from the platform and eventually connects to the 3rd floor of the mall.  The biggest shops are naturally on the first floor, but I also like the Mizuno store and Fitting one on the 4th floor.  A pretty well stocked bookstore chain called Asia Books also has a shop here with lots of golf books in English.

One can not only buy golf equipment, but can get it repaired or customized to your specs.  If you want your lofts and lie set on your clubs, or your grips replaced, or your club re-shafted, Thaniya has many stores that can do it for you as you wait.  The cost is quite reasonable and a few shops have club makers that have been certified by US companies.  For example, the cost of a lie or loft adjustment is around 100 baht ($3.50 USD) per club and a shaft change with your own replacement shaft will cost between 300 and 500 baht.  With all the mess and fuss of doing things on your own, its may be better to find a good shop and have them do it for you.  I haven't been disappointed with the results yet.

If you want to make sure things are to your specifications, make sure you tell them exactly what is necessary and ask them to explain it back to you.  For shaft alignment and things like swing weight, I usually pre-spine and mark the shafts for them and watch them do a preliminary swing weight check before they epoxy the head or put on the grips.  Grips are cheaper if you buy them online in the USA so it might be to your advantage to purchase the grips there and bring them for installation.  Otherwise, there is a large selection of grips, including some you can't find online, available at the various shops.

If you are a Japanese Golf equipment fan like I am, you will like the many shops that offer both new and used clubs from Japan.  You can also get sets built to order with Japanese market heads like this shop that is selling Miura irons.  There is a Honma shop on the 3rd floor for those who have lots of money to spend and a great used golf club place on the first floor where I picked up my current set of Miuras at a bargain price.

One of my favorite shops is Iron Fox.  This shop sells golf shoes, which are handmade and exclusive to their shop.  There are many unique designs, colors, and patterns for someone looking for something different.  Women especially like this shop because they can get shoes in colors that match their outfits (i.e. pink, yellow, etc.).    I have a couple of pair that I bought many years ago that I still wear periodically -- I don't wear them on every outing because they are just too nice looking for me to get them dirty or muddy, so I save them for that special occasional round.  You can also have them made to order in your size and to your specifications here as well.

Lastly, if you get tired or a bit hungry, there is a great all you can eat Sushi place called 'Kozo' on the 3rd floor.  If you get there between 12PM and 1PM, the all you can eat Sushi buffet is only 220 baht (subject to the date of this post).  Different plates of Sushi go round and round a mechanized belt and all you have to do is to snag what you want and enjoy!  Many other shops and restaurants offer a variety of food, including the snack bar right in the middle of the mall as pictured above.

The 'Call Hole'

I realized I used a new term that may be unique to Thailand golf in yesterday's post, namely the words "Call Hole".  What is a Call Hole?  On some golf courses, its a tactic to avoid logjams at a specific hole, usually a par 3.  The golfers on the green are asked to mark their balls, find a safe spot, and signal the following group to hit their tee shots to the green.  Once the shots are made, the first group then finishes their putts while the following group is walking up to the green.  I guess that because the caddies 'call' for the other group to go ahead and tee off,  the term was since adopted.

Thailand golf courses do this on crowded days and believes it saves time (1 stroke per group), and it does seem to work.  In California, we use the term "waving the group up to the green".  Fortunately we don't have 'wave holes' in California...except maybe in surfing.

Khao Cha-Ngok Golf and Country Club

This course is about two hours driving distance northeast from central Bangkok in Nakhon Nayok and is part of the Chulachomklao Royal Military Sports Academy.  Its a military course but it is open to the general public.  As you enter the Academy gate and pass the guards, make a sharp left and follow the road up to the clubhouse and golf bag drop off area.  Its a bit off the beaten path and not especially easy to get to,  so I don't recommend this course for the first time visitor - but its a great value for the expat  or returning visitor who has his/her own transportation.  

My main reason for recommending this course is value.  Where else can you find a Pete Dye designed course to play for around $15 USD?  While the course is not as well maintained  as some of the more expensive resort courses that can have green fees five times that amount (its a military golf course), it offers many diabolical challenges typical of a classic Pete Dye design.  For those unfamiliar with Pete Dye, he is notorious for his unique and diabolical design elements, including the famous 17th island green hole at TPC Sawgrass, which has been copied by courses all over the world.  Each hole offers a unique challenge and big numbers are lurking at each turn.  I will typically shoot five or even ten shots more here than other courses because its so easy to get a blow up hole.

The course is almost 7000 yards at the tips, but even from the white tees, its 6463 yards and quite a challenge.  What is deceiving is that while the white tees are only 3440 yards on the front and only 3023 on the back nine, the back nine includes a drivable par 4 at 284 yards, a very short par 3 at 113 yards, and a nasty par 3, 15th hole at 145 yards,  which I call the 'call hole from hell'.  This course plays like a very long course despite the yardage on paper.  The greens are smallish and some have water carries to reach them.   On two greens, a bad putt or approach shot will cause your balls to roll completely off the green.

Here are some of the interesting design elements on the course:

From the Tee, the idea drive is over the tree

The second shot is over water to the smallish green

If you are short, you're in the water as the face will stop your balls

On this hole, the best and safest position for your ball is obstructed by this big tree- hit over it or else.  Play it safe to the left and have a very long second shot over the water to the green or take your chances and try to drive it over the 200 yard marker...miss right and you're wet.

Drivable par 4

At only 284 yards, it looks on paper to be an easily drivable par 4 for longer hitters.  But its severely uphill and guarded by a tree on the right third of the fairway.  Right is dead..you'll never find your ball.  Once at the green, its bunkered and a severe drop on the left side will leave you 40 feet below the hole in the woods.  Safest bet is to drive it left off the tree and maybe a short pitching wedge into the green.  This hole is a drivable par 4, but it can turn into a snowman 8 real quick.

The 'call hole' from hell

Up the hill to the pin

Chip or putt it hard enough or it will roll back to your feet

Holes numbers 14 and 15 have greens than punish bad putts or approach shots by sliding them completely off. I got to the green in regulation on 14, but four putted because my first putt uphill wasn't hard enough and it rolled back off the green.   Hole 15 requires a precise shot to a pin on the upper left hand quadrant of the green, or its off the green completely.  The first time I played this hole a few years back, I thought I hit a pretty decent shot which landed about five feet to the right of the pin, but soon found out to my amazement that it was rolling ever so slowly, then quickly, completely off the green!. At 145 yards, it really plays like a 160 yard hole because its severely uphill.  I double bogeyed both of these holes the other day - lost 4 strokes in two holes..brutal.

There are other unique design elements for this course, like a severely elevated 18th green off a severe dog leg left, but I will leave those for you to discover for yourself.  I'll conclude by telling you that this course is a lot of fun and definitely a challenge.  Don't look for country club conditions, in fact the locker room is really basic, old, and military like, but for a avid golfer, this place is great for a pleasant day at the links.

My score card for last Friday, not great, but its Khao-Cha-Ngok.  

Google Map to golf course

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DIY or Packaged Golf Tour?

DIY

or Package?

Is it best to come to Thailand on a golf package or a do-it-yourself tour?  There are other variations of these two options where one might come to Thailand on a do-it-yourself package and then book a packaged golf outing via one of the local operators.  For the most adventurous, there is the totally do-it-yourself route in which everything is done on your own.  Each choice is designed around one's allocated time, budget, and of course, the willingness to do the research and work to make the bookings and handle the logistics yourself.  

Fortunately, Thailand is a wonderful place for visitors.  Its safe, the people are friendly, and the hotels are reasonable and clean. Many first time visitors may benefit from having 'everything' taken care of in advance, but repeat visitors (and you will be one soon if this is your first visit), will want more control over their agendas and feel comfortable enough to do their own Tee time bookings and travel arrangements themselves. If you stay at a nicer hotel, the hotel staff will gladly assist you in booking, transportation, and other logistics - just ask.  Most western hotel staff speak English and other languages so with a little bit of patience, your stay can be a wonderful adventure.  

Some tour operators will try to scare you with the hard to book tee times stories,  the 'taxi driver from hell' stories and the ugly 'language barrier' monster, but Thailand is not one of the world's favorite tourists destinations by chance.  The infrastructure and accommodations, and service hospitality are world renown and its a wonderful place to come for a holiday, including a golf holiday 'on your own'. 

While one reason many visitors choose to do their own bookings for Tee times and transportation is flexibility, the other is the cost.  The cost savings from a DIY outing may be enough to pay for an upgraded hotel room or some shopping money,  so it can be a great incentive.  Here is an example:  A golf package to a local Bangkok course like Muang Kaew Golf Club, which is about 20-25 minutes from the Central Business District will run about 5,700 baht ($190 USD).  This will include transportation from your hotel, green fees, and caddie fee, but does not include tip.  

It typically costs 2,500 baht ($84 USD) for the weekday green fees at the course, plus 250  baht ($8.40 USD) for the caddie fees as a walk on visitor or a called in booking for a Tee time.  From a hotel in the Central Business District, a taxi to the course will cost about 600 baht ($20) round trip.  Total cost for a DIY booking is around 3,400 baht.  The total savings will be around 2,300 baht ($77 USD) on today's exchange rate (November 2010) over a packaged deal.   As you can see,  doing that over a three to five day period can save one a lot of money.  Local operators may not want me to tell you this because they make their money doing their best to cater to the first time visitors and those who like things taken care of in advance and don't mind paying for that service.

Local expats that live here rarely/never book packages unless its a real special deal.  Many will look for 'sports day' promotions offered by the courses where the green fees are reduced 50% or more - its open to all, even visitors.  Typically on a weekday, like Tuesday or Wednesday, many courses offer great promotions during the off-season.  Months other than November - February are typically considered off season months.  Sometimes, the Tourism Authority of Thailand will also arrange a regional promotion.  Last year for example, the TAT sponsored a program where a number of real great courses in the Chonburi/Rayong area could be played for less than 1000 baht during the promotion - a significant reduction of their normal green fees.

If you have golfing friends and family here, you've probably already heard about the great golf so don't be afraid to bring your clubs and call them.  Hopefully this blog will soon have a forum where new visitors and residents alike can hook up as playing partners in this slice of paradise we call Thailand.

Whatever route you choose - and there is something for everyone, don't hesitate to cover over for one of the great golfing experiences of your life.  

Proper Golf Gear for Thailand

In addition to your golf clubs, proper golf gear and clothing will make your experience playing here in Thailand more enjoyable.  If you have never played in a tropical climate before, here are a few tips to make even the most extreme conditions more bearable.

First, make sure you have the appropriate clothing.  Clothing that breathes and wicks moisture away from your skin is best.  Natural fibers like cotton are good in a lighter weight, but they have a tendency to get loaded up with moisture and lose their wicking ability.  The newer fabrics like Nike's Dri-Fit, Adidas Climacool, and other quality brands wick away moisture and then helps evaporate the moisture quickly and keeps the body cooler. Try to select a lighter color as it will absorb less heat.   A good hat is also important.  I like to choose hats that have a mesh top to allow heat and moisture to escape more quickly.  For pants, shorts are allowed in most golf courses as they know that many visiting golfers are from climates much cooler than Thailand.  In contrast, many Asian players (especially women) will choose long sleeves shirts and pants and even wear face shields to keep their skin tone lighter.  However you choose to dress, make sure you are comfortable.

An umbrella is an essential piece of equipment when playing  on most days.  A good reflective umbrella will shield you from the hot sunlight and offers shelter from rainstorms.  The shade the umbrella offers is like an oasis in the middle of the fairway, especially if the party in front is playing a bit slow.  And during a sudden, heavy rainstorm, the umbrella will prevent you from getting soaked to the core in a matter of minutes.  I like the twin canopy umbrellas like the one from Mizuno on the left as it prevents a blow-out during a sudden wind gust.  The good thing is that if you forget your umbrella, they are fairly cheap here in the LOS and often can be purchased at the local pro shop prior to your round.

An often overlooked item are hand towels.  I use a couple during each round to either wipe off my grips or my face as I sweat a lot in the tropical heat.  They are also very useful during wet weather.  Typically, towels are hung underneath the umbrellas to keep them dry and easily available.

I like the synthetic breathable gloves in this climate and often use two pairs during a round as my hands sweat quite a bit.  They can then be thrown in the wash and come out looking fresh and smelling new.  Leather Cabretta gloves are best if cost is not a factor, but they cannot be easily washed and will retain dirt and moisture so they have to be replaced more quickly.  

When it rains during your round, as it often does here in Thailand, you personally may be fine and dry underneath your umbrella and rain gear, but your golf bag will not be so lucky unless you have some protection for it like a  vinyl or plastic golf bag cover.  During my first year here, I was lucky to not encounter any big storms I couldn't get under cover from quickly and didn't feel I needed a rain cover.  During my second year, I was caught on several occasions on the course during a sudden downpour and my bag was totally soaked.  All the contents inside, including my personal belongings, were soaked as was the grips of my clubs and the head covers.  It took days and days for everything to dry off completely in the humid air.  Since then, I always carry a 'raincoat' for my bag every time I go out and the caddies are very good about putting them on at the first hint of any rain.

A gear bag for carrying your golf shoes, a change of clothing, and personal toilet accessories is a good investment.  After a round of golf in hot weather, most players will want to shower and cool off before returning home or to their hotels.  A gear bag with  separate compartments for shoes, toiletries, and clothing will make things easier to manage. 

Insect repellent will keep those like me who attract mosquitoes from a mile away from being harassed during your round.  While the grounds keepers are pretty good at keeping things under control, the wet season brings out bugs that have nothing better to do than to wait for golfers to pass by for dinner.  Along that line, Sunscreen is essential for protection from the sun.  I like to use the water resistant type in order to avoid losing most of it during the round due to heavy sweating.

Sunglasses are a must if you play during the hottest part of the day.  The benefits to your eyes in the long run are well documented and they don't cost that much for a decent pair.  

Hopefully this list of items will help you prepare for our trip over and maybe as a checklist before you head off to the links the next day.  These items will definitely make your round safer and more enjoyable.

The Great Tee Off

Golf Tees have come a long way from their humble beginnings as a mere heap of sand on top of which the golf ball rested in an elevated position.  I was amazed when I first came over to play in the LOS and found the large variety of tees available from the golf shops and courses.  Since then, I am convinced that for my game, the plastic tee is best.  Besides saving countless trees and mass deforestation, plastic tees are economical and may even help your game.

In terms of cost, a wooden tee if purchased in bulk from a chain store like Walmart cost about two cents per tee.  Plastic Tees cost about eight cents each here in Thailand.  At first glance, this doesn't seem like such a good deal except that I've found my plastic tees last about 50 times longer than its wooden counterpart.  On a typical round, I will use one long and one short plastic tee VS a hand full of wooden tees which might get cracked or broken after each drive.  My tees usually survive the entire round and may go five or ten more rounds until its cracked or lost.

But what if you lose the plastic tees?  Wouldn't that cost a lot of money?  Fortunately here in the LOS, your caddie will help you find your lost golf tee and since the tee boxes are so well maintained, finding a lost tee is not too difficult - especially if you pick a bright color.  And don't worry about lost tees sitting around and destroying the environment because other caddies or grounds keepers will quickly find and re-cycle these precious lost items for cash.  On the other hand, a broken wooden tee has little value and the paint and varnish on the tees leave toxic waste in the area.

Here are some popular tees that are being used here in the LOS.     The tee on the left is a spring loaded plastic tee that bends and then snaps back after impact, its called the VS Tee.  The next four from the left are plastic tees I picked up on sale for three baht apiece from a bin at Thaniya Plaza.  The tee second from the right is the answer to the lost tee problem.  Put one end in the ground to tee up the ball, the other tee is inserted in the ground at a second point and it acts like a retainer so your tee doesn't get lost. Notice the two different tee sizes - one for the driver and the other for par 3's.   At the right is a brush tee which allows the driver to glide through the brushes and thus avoids breakage and supposedly reduces friction as well.  And at the very top, still unopened, is my bad of 100 wooden tees I bought for around $3 from the states.  

If all else fails, I guess you can ask the caddies to make a sand tee for you - its the most economical and environmentally friendly, but it sure can be a mess and won't get you any smiles from your playing partners.

Can't get enough golf?

If you can't get enough golf during the day, the Golf Channel is available here in Thailand from your local cable carrier.  On my True Visions system, its Channel 158 and in high definition too.  You will need the 'Gold' package in order to get the station.   Its also available from a number of other cable operators (i.e. Happy Home) so check with them on how to subscribe.  So when you travel here or stay here long term, don't worry, you won't miss those European Tour Events or Big Break episodes at all.

TAT's 'Amazing Thailand' Golf Promotion for 2011

Looks like 2011 will be a great one for golf here in Thailand.

http://www.eturbonews.com/17139/amazing-thailand-always-amazes-you

Caddies in the Land of Smiles

One of the great things about playing golf in Thailand is having a caddie to assist you as you make your way around the links.  For some who have never had someone caddie for them, it may be a bit awkward at first to find out what a caddie, will or won't do for you during your round of golf.

One of Thailand's main attraction for golfers beside its wonderful courses, are the very pleasant female caddies.  The first thing one realizes here in the LOS (Land of Smiles), is that playing without a caddie is very unusual and in some courses, prohibited.  Many golf courses make money on the caddie fees as the caddie may only receive a portion of the charged amount.  So now that you are 'stuck' with a caddie, what can she/he do for you?  Aside from carrying or managing your bag on a pull cart, caddies will often be required to drive you around on a motorized cart.  In some cases, its required by the golf course in order to maintain control over where carts can be driven to minimize damage to the fairways and landscaping.  And if one so desires, one can have more than one caddie!

The experience and quality of caddies will vary from excellent to having only one day on the job, so its important to ask about their experience when the assignments are made before the start of the round if you prefer a 'seasoned' caddie.  Other players may just want a caddie to carry their clubs and look nice and really couldn't care about the caddies' golf knowledge.  The good thing is that the LOS has a great reputation of having some really proficient caddies who are very nice as well.  English, or your preferred language may also be an issue for some newer caddies, so its important to set your expectations accordingly.

Don't expect PGA caliber caddies because you are really not that caliber a player either so just enjoy  the wonderful experience it will turn out to be! If the chemistry is good and your foursome is not too serious, there is almost a little party atmosphere at each green.   Here's a list of what  good caddies will do for you here in the LOS:

• Carry, clean, and manage your golf clubs during the round.
• Give you information about the hole (where to hit, hazards, and yardages)
• Help you read and optionally line up the putt for you  
• Hold your umbrella when waiting or while you are over a putt 
• Look for your lost or wayward balls
• Drive your golf cart
• Rake the bunkers
• Clean your balls after you get on the green
• Fix your divot marks
• Mark your ball and re-clean after each putt if necessary
• Keep your score
• Generally assist you in any manner to make your game go smoothly and to encourage you if things aren't going so well.

Here in Asia, there are high expectations from players about how a caddie should perform, so most are trained pretty well before they start their jobs.  In some cases, a golf course may have as many as 300-400 caddies who are queued up for players depending on seniority and performance, so don't be shy to say something if your caddie doesn't meet up with your expectations.  Its a very coveted job at some of the better golf courses and competition is very keen for the jobs.  In any large group of people, you can get a few that are just not up to the task.

So what happens when you find out your caddie is a dud?  There is not much you can do for the round, except maybe ask some of the other caddies in your group to help.  For example, when I find my caddie can't read greens, not even a little bit, I just tell her I'll read the greens myself or ignore what she tells me completely to not cause her to lose face.  Other times, I might ask another caddie for a "group opinion" if its a critical putt.  I then reduce my tip appropriately and if there is an evaluation form, give the caddie a lower rating.  My worse experience was the first day caddie who couldn't do much of anything, including driving the golf cart.  She didn't replace my headcovers on my woods and drivers and thus dinged them.  Nothing serious, but I asked management to replace her after nine holes, talking to the starter in private.

Lastly, there are some things that you should not expect a caddie to do.  Most golf courses prohibit a caddie from hitting or putting your ball, so don't expect them to putt the ball into the hole for you, even for fun.  Unless you go to some notorious golf courses, caddies are not available after the round for drinks, dinner, or other extra-curricular activities so please be polite and respect their profession.  Its also not appropriate to be too touchy with caddies as many are culturally quite shy about physical contact.

Now that you know all there is to having a caddie, its time to go out and have some fun.

Some Websites for golfing information

Here is a partial list of websites that may be of interest:

http://www.thaigolfer.com

A great site for golf course reviews and classified ads related to golf equipment, memberships, etc.  Contains golf course locations, maps, scorecards, and user reviews.  Some of the course information is outdated, but its one of the best sources of information online.  Their classified ads are in both Thai and English, but use Google translate or some other online resource to get the language of your preference.  (You can use the widget on the right side of this blog as well).  

www.thailandpga.com

The official site of the Thailand PGA.  Has some golf course info, but not as good as Thaigolfer.com.  Its basically a site for PGA pros, mostly in the Thai.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/forum/94-golf-in-thailand/

A very popular site with many contributors, most expats.  Lots of activity and information and a good place for a more interactive duologue with fellow golfers.  Like any forum, some posters can be quite rude but the moderators keep things pretty much under control.

There a lots of other sites, but many are booking and promotional sites and may not offer a complete picture of all the available options.  These sites are pretty objective and offer a wealth of information for the casual reader and those interested in basic information about golf in Thailand.

Welcome!

Welcome to Golfing Life Thailand.  The goal of this blog is to provide a resource of information for those that are interested in golfing here in the "land of smiles".  Whether you are a long time resident or a potential visitor, golfing in Thailand can be a wonderful experience both on and off the links.  But its also very easy to be taken advantage of by unsavory tour operators, touts, or lack of knowledge.  Having reliable information at your fingertips will make it easier to locate a hard to find golf course, or finding those little things you may have forgotten to bring .  And naturally, we will try to scour the latest news and information about all things golf here in Thailand to keep you up to date.

We are not a tour operator nor are we affiliated with any tour groups, golf courses, or equipment companies. We are golfing enthusiasts, doing our best to find the best deals and getting the best possible experience from our golfing days out.  And we won't be too shy in referring you to many other websites that have more pertinent or current information as a lot of good material has already be published and we don't want to repeat or compete with those sites.  So come and visit us often here at Golfing Life Thailand.

Its an ambitious undertaking as there are many golfers with different interests and skill levels here in Thailand, and most of the other blogs and websites are commercially oriented and may also support a business so its hard to get objective information. To that end, we will give you a promise to be fair and honest, and to "call it like it is", but also in the spirit of the game, to always be polite and respectful to those involved.

We are hoping to make it a semi-open site where readers can share their experiences, posts their pictures, and make comments (moderated of course) and maybe hook up with other single golfers looking to play with someone.  I, and hopefully and growing team of volunteer contributors, look forward to serving you our reader to the best we can.  After all, what's a better way to llive the golfing life and passing  the time except to 'talk golf', especially here in Thailand.