The Royal Chiang Mai Golf Course is a great choice for golfers who enjoy traditional course design, mature surroundings and a round that rewards accuracy just as much as distance. Located in Mae Faek, north of Chiang Mai, the course sits within peaceful countryside surrounded by wooded hills, giving it a very different feel from some of Thailand’s more modern resort layouts.

Designed by five-time Open Champion Peter Thomson, this 18-hole, par-72 course has a distinctly British influence. Thomson created a layout reminiscent of traditional parkland golf, while adding several links-style touches that give the course its own character. From the back tees it stretches to more than 7,200 yards, making it a serious test for stronger players, although the forward tee options make it much more manageable for golfers who simply want to enjoy the course.

What we particularly like about Royal Chiang Mai is that you need to think your way around. The fairways are heavily tree-lined, the rough can be genuinely punishing and water comes into play on almost every hole. Good positioning from the tee is therefore far more useful than simply trying to overpower the course. Miss on the wrong side and mature trees can quickly block your route into the green.

The opening holes introduce that strategic style straight away, with doglegs, pot bunkers and smaller greens rewarding golfers who leave themselves the correct angle. The long par-4 fourth is the toughest hole on the card and asks for two strong shots, while the back nine continues to mix risk-and-reward opportunities with demanding approach shots.

One of our favourite holes is the signature 17th. This par 3 plays to a wide but relatively shallow green with water creating plenty of pressure from the tee. It is the sort of hole where committing fully to the shot is essential, especially if you have a good score going late in the round. The 18th then provides a strong par-4 finish back towards the clubhouse.

The practice facilities include a driving range along with two putting and chipping greens, so there is plenty of opportunity to warm up before your round. The clubhouse and adjoining Royal Chiang Mai Golf Resort also make it easy to turn the course into a stay-and-play experience.

For golfers who enjoy mature parkland golf rather than wide-open resort layouts, The Royal Chiang Mai Golf Course offers something a little different. Speak to our Golf Travel Experts at Hashtag Golf Travel and we can include it within a tailor-made Chiang Mai golf holiday, combining your preferred rounds, accommodation and other leading courses across northern Thailand.