Take the High Road

It's clear from the blog entries on Jamie's Phuket that I like to get off the beaten track and explore my island. My wife and I don't like the touristy places and there are plenty of them in Phuket! We are always looking for back roads to explore, even after many years together. Trouble is, I currently work 6 days a week, have limited holidays and we have 2 kids, so we can't explore too far.

Last week, on the way to work, I decided on a whim at 6:20am to follow a new road. It was a beautiful morning, and I was out earlier than usual, just around sunrise. The view of the hills from Kathu looked like this:



As you come over the hill from Kathu to Patong, you pass a Chinese Shrine. Just to the left you see a small, narrow road heading further up the hill. I don't know how many hundreds of times I have asked myself "I wonder where that goes?", but never had the time to follow it, or just couldn't be bothered.



So, on my trusty Honda Wave 125 (not an off road bike!) I turned left and started to climb. At first I had views back over Kathu. The surface of the road changed rapidly from concrete to dirt and back. After the rain of the previous week, there were some slippery sections here and there, but not too bad. The road continued through rubber trees, winding up and down with no apparent aim. Finally some views over Patong appeared and I wondered if this might just somehow join up with "Ha Sip Pee road" which winds upward from Nanai Road in Patong. But no, this road was much higher, and as time ticked by I realised I had to turn around and head for work. The road carried on, and now I think it might just reach the top of Radar Hill.





One day soon, the wife and I plan to follow this road all the way to it's unknown destination. Will be easier now it's dry season.

There are lots of backroads in life. Sometimes they are worth a look.

Golf in Phuket

Golf - a good walk spoiled, said Mark Twain, and I can see his point. I have never been a huge fan, except for the Ryder Cup (anything where the US can be stuffed is great). I played a few rounds of pitch and putt when I was younger, and with some friends we used to go to a nearby golf course and find lost balls and sell them back to golfers :) But as an adult I never had the time (or money) for golf. A round takes half a day and it has always presented itself as a rather exclusive sport, something with membership and jackets - anything like that I try to avoid.

Nevertheless, it does seem to be rather popular, and Phuket has half a dozen golf courses, stages international tournaments and is a real Asian golfing center, a great place for a golf holiday. I live just a few minutes from 2 golf courses, and pass the Loch Palm Golf Club nearly every day and sometimes drive up through the Country Club on the way to Bang Wad reservoir. So like it or not, golf is a part of Phuket as much as any other kind of tourism. I guess one day I'll have to take some lessons and join my friends for an early morning round.

Golf Courses in Phuket

Loch Palm Golf Club

We'll start with Loch Palm, as it's close to home. Set in a very scenic location up against the hills, the course is full of lakes including (apparently) the largest lake of any course in Phuket. Location - just after the Kathu waterfall road if coming from Patong. Only 10 minutes drive.

• www.lochpalm.com

Phuket Country Club

Again, very scenic. Has an 18 hole and a 9 hole course (said to be very tough) and often has big tournaments. Located on the road between Patong and Phuket Town, on the bus route which is handy. Only 15 minutes from Patong. It's all set in a valley beneath the Bang Wad reservoir, with lots of trees and water.

• www.phuketcountryclub.com

Blue Canyon Country Club

Blue Canyon has 2 courses known as the "Canyon" and "Lakes" courses, which are quite different to each other. The Canyon course is championship class - the amateur record for the course is held by none other than Tiger Woods. The club is in the north of Phuket, not far from the airport. Probably the best course in Phuket, according to a friend of mine who plays regularly.

• www.bluecanyonclub.com

Mission Hills Golf Resort

With a course designed by Nicklaus Design and a great setting on the Northeast Coast, the Mission Hills Golf Resort and Spa is the most modern course on the island - a real all inclusive golfing getaway. You can just play golf, or book hotel and golf packages at the resort.

• Mission Hills - Online Bookings and Reservations

Thai Muang Golf Course

Actually located just north of Phuket, about 30 minutes from the airport, the Thai Muang Course is a links style beachside course set in the countryside of Phang Nga province with a long empty beach right along side. Said to be not as well maintained as the other courses, but does get you off the island away from the tourism.

• www.phuket-golf.com/thai-muang-golf.htm

Laguna Phuket Golf Club

Located in the Laguna Phuket complex, where you find some of Phuket's best resorts such as Dusit Laguna, Banyan Tree and Sheraton Grande, said to be a very good course with lots of recent changes made. Not limited to the resort guests but if you're staying at one of the Laguna resorts, you can get special green fees.

• Laguna Phuket Golf Club

Phuket Golf Web Links

• Phuket Golf Courses
• Thailand Golfing Association
• www.phuket-golf.com