One of the many great aspects of a Hua Hin golf holiday is how close many of the golf courses are to the centre of the town. Palm Hills Golf Club is a great example and this golf course is just 10 minutes away, making it perfect for a round of golf at any time of day.
Opened for play in 1992, the golf course was designed by Max Wexler and just a year after opening it played host to the first edition of the Thailand World Pro-Am tournament.
For those who are looking for a change of pace from many of the other golf courses in the Hua Hin region, Palm Hills Golf Club is a good choice. It has a distinctive links style feel to it and is the only golf course in the area that can make such a claim.
An outcrop which extends from the mountain range makes for an additional element to the course but there is no getting away from the water.
The first hole does not have any water of note but that soon changes on the par-4 2nd hole at Palm Hills Golf Club. The tee shot must clear to sets of water hazards which come close together and there is water all the way up the right side of the fairway. The green is protected by three bunkers and there is water to the back right and back left of the putting surface.
There is a choice of four tee boxes on each hole which makes the course suitable for all players. As the name suggests, many of the holes are surrounded by palm trees and other native plants, which add to the beauty of the golf course.
The par-3 8th is one of the top holes on the course and features a tee shot over water. The green is protected by bunkers to the left and right, so clearing the water is great but you must also be accurate to avoid the sand traps.
Some of the greens can very tricky and the 9th hole is a great example. The green slopes from right to left and if you leave your ball above the hole, you are left facing a daunting downhill, breaking putt. Many good front nine scores have been undone on the 9th green, so looking at the pin position and shot planning is essential.
Other holes of note include the 14th which has both water and sand to contend with on the fairway and the 17th which has out of bounds on both sides of the fairway.
Having completed a round at Palm Hills Golf Club you can retire to the clubhouse where you will find a restaurant serving a choice of Western and Thai dishes. The golf club is also home to a pro-shop, driving range and putting green, making it a great place for a day of golf in Hua Hin.