Golf in Thailand vs. Germany, Austria, and Switzerland: A Different Kind of Golf Experience

7 May 2025

In the heart of Europe, golf is a well-established sport defined by tradition, structure, and pristine alpine or countryside settings. Germany, Austria, and Switzerland (the DACH region) offer excellent courses, tidy clubhouses, and a strong golfing community. But for golfers looking to escape seasonal limits, high costs, or just experience something different, Thailand offers a completely fresh perspective.

This comparison breaks down how golf in Thailand contrasts with the DACH golf scene, and why more players from central Europe are heading to Southeast Asia for their next round.

Playing Conditions and Weather

Let’s start with the obvious: the weather. While golf courses in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland are beautiful, the playable season is limited. Courses often close in winter, and spring/fall conditions can be damp, cold, or unpredictable.

Thailand, by contrast, is a year-round golf destination. From November to February, conditions are at their best: dry air, warm temperatures, and sunshine. Even in the wetter months, rain tends to fall in short bursts, and courses remain open and lush.

Many DACH golfers use Thailand as their winter escape to keep playing when courses back home are closed or frozen.

And it’s not just about availability. Playing in warm, tropical conditions adds comfort and enjoyment to every round. You can wear light clothing, enjoy post-round drinks outdoors, and truly feel like you’re on holiday even while on the fairway.

Course Settings and Scenery

European golfers are used to either parkland-style courses set in rolling countryside or alpine-style layouts surrounded by mountains. It’s serene, clean, and familiar.

Thailand offers a much more tropical and exotic experience. Courses like Red Mountain in Phuket or Chee Chan in Pattaya cut through jungle hillsides, limestone cliffs, or sit near the coastline. Water features, palm trees, and elevation changes give each round a sense of adventure.

The landscaping is lush, green, and vibrant all year. And with resort-style layouts that are built for leisure as much as competition, every hole offers a new view and a new challenge.

Service, Caddies, and Atmosphere

In Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, service is polite, professional, and efficient. But it’s also formal. You carry your own bag or rent a trolley. Caddies are uncommon and reserved for specific courses or tournaments.

Thailand completely redefines the experience with personal caddies included at nearly every course. Most caddies are women, trained in etiquette and course knowledge. They’ll guide you through the round, help read putts, offer club suggestions, and often bring a smile and relaxed energy to the day.

The atmosphere is more laid-back and social. You’ll often find players chatting with their caddies, taking photos on signature holes, or enjoying a relaxed pace of play. It’s golf, but it’s also leisure.

Golf Licensing and Accessibility

One of the unique aspects of golf in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland is the requirement for a license known as the Platzreife. This certification, which translates roughly to “permission to play the course,” proves that a player has passed a basic golf proficiency test and understands the rules and etiquette of the game. While it ensures a certain level of quality and discipline, it can also create a barrier for beginners or casual players, making the sport less accessible overall.

In Thailand, no such license is required. Whether you’re a seasoned golfer or just starting out, you can enjoy world-class courses without needing official certification. This makes it easier for mixed-skill groups to play together, and for newcomers to explore the game in a more relaxed, welcoming environment.

Club Access and Booking Flexibility

In much of the DACH region, golf clubs operate with tight membership rules. Guest play is possible, but often comes with formalities and advance notice. Booking weekends or prime times can be difficult without insider access.

Thailand’s golf scene is much more open. You can book your rounds easily through a platform like Fairways of Eden, which allows you to customize your trip online with clear pricing. No paperwork, no dress code confusion, and no stress.

This is especially helpful for couples or groups who want to combine golf with other holiday elements. You pick the date, the course, the extras and we handle the rest.

Value and Inclusions

Green fees in the DACH region vary but can be surprisingly high, especially at championship or resort-style courses. Add in cart rental, food, and other extras, and a golf day can become expensive.

Thailand offers far better value for the full experience. Most packages include:

• ⛳ Green fee
• 🏌️‍♂️ Caddy
• 🛺 Cart
• 🚕 Private hotel transfers

Even at top-tier courses, you’ll often pay less for an all-inclusive round than you would for a mid-tier day out back home.

And value doesn’t mean compromise. Thai golf courses often rank among Asia’s best, with modern facilities, well-stocked pro shops, and impressive clubhouses.

Golf + Holiday Vibe

In central Europe, a golf day is often a single-day event with little else added. It’s about the sport, not the vacation.

In Thailand, golf can be the center of your holiday or just one part of it. You can mix rounds with:

• 💆🏻‍♀️ Wellness and spa days
• 🛕 Cultural tours
• 🏝️ Island-hopping or snorkeling
• 🍷 Thai cooking classes or vineyard visits

This flexibility is a game changer for travelers who want to bring along non-golfing partners, or who simply want a richer, more varied experience. You can play a world-class round in the morning, and enjoy the beach or explore a night market by sunset.

A Modern Way to Book and Travel

Instead of contacting each golf club or hotel separately, Fairways of Eden lets you plan your entire trip online, choosing your:

• 🗺️ Destination (Phuket, Pattaya, Hua Hin)
• ⛳ Courses
• 🏨 Accommodation level
• 🌃 Number of nights
• 🎯 Activities

The system is simple, transparent, and made for golfers who want to explore Thailand without hassle. Our team can support you in English or German if you have special requests or prefer help finalizing your itinerary.

We also offer support throughout your trip, helping you adjust bookings or get local recommendations if needed.

Top Thai Courses Popular with DACH Golfers

Some of the most booked Thai golf courses by German, Austrian, and Swiss travelers include:

• Alpine Golf Club (Bangkok) – Recognized as one of Thailand’s premier golfing venues, Alpine Golf Club offers an 18-hole, par-72 championship course. The meticulously designed layout and top-tier facilities provide an unparalleled golfing experience.
• Laem Chabang International Country Club (Pattaya) – Designed by Jack Nicklaus, Laem Chabang International Country Club is a 27-hole world-class course set over 700 acres near Pattaya. Each of the three 9-hole courses – Mountain, Lake, and Valley – offers distinct challenges amidst meticulously maintained fairways and greens, making it a must-play destination.
• Palm Hills Golf Club (Hua Hin) – Situated between Hua Hin and Cha-Am, Palm Hills Golf Club was the first international standard course in the area, opening in 1992. This 18-hole, par-72 course spans 6,887 yards and is known for its wide fairways, fast greens, and picturesque setting with mountain and sea views.
• Aquella Golf & Country Club (Phang Nga) – Located along the stunning Andaman Sea at Thai Muang Beach, north of Phuket in Phang Nga Province, Aquella Golf & Country Club offers an 18-hole championship course. This par-72 layout spans over 7,000 yards, featuring meandering waterways and tidal lakes that provide both beauty and challenge.
• Loch Palm Golf Club (Phuket) – Known as one of the most relaxing golf courses in Phuket, Loch Palm Golf Club is located just 10 minutes from Patong Beach. This 18-hole, par-72 course stretches over 6,555 yards and is set around the serene Crystal Lake.

These courses not only offer unique challenges, but are also well-maintained and set up for international guests. Whether you’re looking for a test of skill or just an unforgettable round, Thailand delivers.

Thailand may not have the alpine charm or the castle-like clubhouses of central Europe, but it offers something else entirely: year-round golf, personal service, exotic scenery, and the chance to truly relax while you play.

If you’re a DACH golfer looking to combine your love of golf with a real holiday, Thailand might just be your new favorite destination.

Explore, compare, and build your trip today with Fairways of Eden.