Alpine Golf and Sports Club

For a course that has seen the likes of Garcia, Faldo, Torrance and Bjorn compete at the Johnnie Walker Classic PGA tournaments, with a certain Tiger Woods winning there in 2000, followed in 2004 by Miguel Angel Jimenez, then you know you have found a real gem of a golf course.

One of Thailand’s top rated golf courses, the Alpine Golf & Sports Club opened back in 1996 and was designed by Ronald M. Garl, who is known to be among the top golf course architects in America. It is located less than 75 minutes from Bangkok’s city centre.

Compared with the other golf courses found in the Bangkok region, the Alpine golf course is perhaps one of the most challenging 18 hole courses in the country. Only members have access to the well maintained golf course with its outstanding layout. Other notable features are its fairways that rise and fall as well as its fast greens.

The Alpine course was created out of flat paddy fields, which were later made into rolling hills with bushes, shrubs and trees. These varied heights are rarely seen in Bangkok’s flat terrain, and are more reminiscent of golf courses in Hua Hin, Phuket and Chiang Mai.

The rolling heights and design that rise and fall are not the only unique aspects of this golf course. It also has a water feature which can be found accompanied by beach-style bunkers. For those who are looking for an easy golfing experience, the Alpine course is maybe not for you. This course has been designed to test even the very best golfers, but is also immensely satisfying to play as well.

This is most notable with the straight shots that one has to make in order to dodge the jungles guarding some of the holes. Another challenge that is presented in the course is finding greens that have are surrounded by water.

For instance, the 7th green and the 11th green are “island” greens which can be accessed by a thin strip of land. It is a wonder Tiger Woods, while competing in the 2000 Johnnie Walker Classic, actually managed to maneuver his way through the small putting surfaces of the 7th hole. Apart from the various challenges that have been presented in the Alpine course, it still has scenic holes, plush vegetation as well as the many folds and earth mounding found in the region of Bangkok.

Here are some tips for players hoping to conquer this course. Because majority of the greens incline from back to front, to shoot low scores on these greens, one would need to keep the ball beneath the hole. To get a reward, you need to have a conservative fairway and approach to shots. Penalties are given to poor shots.

Other amenities that are to be found at the Alpine Golf and Sports Club include the clubhouse, locker rooms, the restaurant serving Chinese food and coffee shop, accompanied with excellent service. For those looking for a challenge on the golf course, they should include the Alpine course in their golf experience in Bangkok.

Northeast Bangkok, along the Outer Ring Road

75 minutes from Bangkok center

Weekday: 4
Weekend: 4

Weekday: 900
Weekend: 900