Mission Hills Phuket Golf Course offers one of the most distinctive rounds on the island, combining a Jack Nicklaus design with mangrove-lined fairways and views across the Andaman Sea. Located on Phuket’s quieter north-eastern coastline, this is a course we particularly like for its setting. It feels very different from the more inland courses around Phuket, with the sea breeze and coastal landscape becoming a genuine part of the challenge.

Designed by Jack Nicklaus and opened in 2004, the 18-hole, par-72 course stretches to 6,806 yards from the back tees. Four sets of tees allow golfers to choose a distance that suits their game, which is important here because conditions can change significantly depending on how strongly the wind is blowing off the coast.

Nicklaus has made water a major part of the design. Lakes, wetlands and mangrove areas regularly influence the line from the tee, while large white-sand bunkers provide another distinctive feature throughout the course. We would definitely put accuracy and course management ahead of outright distance. There are opportunities to use the driver, but finding the correct section of the fairway can make the difference between attacking the green and simply trying to stay out of trouble.

The coastal holes are what really make Mission Hills stand out. Several parts of the course bring you close to the shoreline, opening up views across the Andaman Sea and surrounding islands. When the breeze picks up, club selection becomes particularly important and even relatively short holes can demand plenty of thought.

The par 5s offer some good risk-and-reward opportunities, while the par 3s vary considerably in length. From the back tees, the seventh stretches beyond 230 yards, providing a completely different challenge from the shorter par 3s later in the round.

Practice facilities include a driving range and putting green, giving you somewhere to loosen up before your tee time. The clubhouse also offers changing facilities, lockers, a Pro Shop, restaurant and bar, making it easy to spend some time relaxing once the clubs have been put away.

Mission Hills Phuket Golf Resort & Spa is located directly alongside the course, so golfers can also turn their round into a convenient stay-and-play break. Phuket International Airport is nearby, making Mission Hills particularly easy to include at the beginning or end of an island itinerary.

For golfers looking for something different from Phuket’s inland courses, the combination of Jack Nicklaus design, coastal scenery and strategic golf makes Mission Hills well worth playing. Speak to our Golf Travel Experts at Hashtag Golf Travel and we can include Mission Hills within a tailor-made Phuket golf holiday.