Phuket golf courses
Katathong
Katatong Golf Resort near Phuket is a new addition to Phuket golf resorts, located in a beautiful jungle-covered valley about an hour's drive north of Phuket Airport. Some very unusual holes are worth playing.
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Built on the site of a former tin mine, Katatong Golf Resort features numerous water hazards and a beautiful natural stream that cascades from a waterfall in front of the clubhouse and winds its way through the back nine. Lots of mature trees line all the fairways - the greens are fairly flat, but many of them are elevated and the owners aim to keep them fast for added challenge.
Kathong Golf Resort starts off with a challenging dogleg par 4 which turns 90 degrees along the left OB and also over the bend if you go too far and too straight. There's also a bunker at the apex of the turn, waiting to catch those who get too far off the tee. The approach leads uphill to a raised green with bunkers protecting the right side. Hole 2 is a long straight par 5 with a fairly narrow landing area and OB on the left - you have to use 2 to dodge the water on the right and then tricky approach as there is a ditch in front of the green and it is Not easy to see from the fairway. Hole 3 is a medium length straight par 3. Hole 4 is another long, straight par 5 with trees to the right, a deep ravine to the left, and a strategically placed bunker ready for your tee shot.
The landing area on the second shot is very narrow, with a bunker not easily seen to the left - a bit of relief on approach, but the bunker guards the sides. Hole 5 is a medium length par 4 with a wide landing area but a small stream runs through the fairway about 150 yards from the green making your next shot more difficult as the green is well protected by bunkers . You have to avoid the water before the tee at Dogleg 6, which requires very precise teeing to ensure the correct course - too right and you're in a tree and off to the left, and a water hazard awaits you. Once on the fairways, access to the greens is easy. The 7th is a short dogleg, par 4, but the landing area is very small, and then the climb to the two-tiered green is fairly steep, partially blocked by two trees to the left of the fairway, with bunker guards on either side. You'll also notice some old machinery from the days of tin mining. The 8th hole is a short, nice par 3 that wraps around the lake and protects the left side of the green. As you head back to the clubhouse, the 9th hole is an easy par 4.
The back nine at Kathong Golf Resort starts with the signature hole where you play from the elevated tee to the island green below, a very small target and very difficult for high handicappers, the distance to the back tee The 200-plus yard has the potential to be a map breaker. The 11th is another very difficult and long par 5, although you are playing from an elevated tee the trees will block any attempt at a tie, but the loading area is very spacious as the hole curves slightly to the left. There is a large water hazard that runs diagonally across the fairway and then along the left side of the green. The 12th hole is a long, straight par 4 with a slight dogleg and a creek that cuts off the fairway accessible from the tee - the greens, like many places on this course, are just Like a table and between any balls that are not nearby, the runoff area can end up in the green.
The 13th hole is a long par 5 with a generous landing area, we are again visited by the creek that runs through the fairway but should be out of reach of the tees. The second landing is fairly narrow with the green sloping towards you with bunkers on either side. The 14th hole is a straight par 4 - a creek cuts into the fairway about 100 yards away and a large tree partially blocks your path to the green making it difficult to score. The tee off the 15th tee is very difficult with a very narrow gap between the trees, a large fairway bunker protecting the right and a creek eroding to the left, but if you take a risk the fairway opens up on the left. Another elevated green with a very narrow gap protected by a bunker. From the 16th tee there are great views across the course, but the drive down to the fairway below is less appealing along the deep ravine which continues to the left of the fairway.
If you manage to hit the fairways, you'll face a difficult challenge as the actual table green is surrounded by a two meter high bench.
The next two holes will be talked about long after you've finished your round, and the 17th is one of the most unusual holes I've come across. A par 3 about 180 yards from the back tee, but the green is 3m or more in the air, with a huge cliff in front, and the top of the flag is the only thing visible from the tee. Most high handicappers probably don't waste a ball and go straight to the fold. The target requires hitting the ball across the lake and into the narrow fairway - if you drive too cautiously through the fairway and into the far hazard - again an impossible hole for high handicaps because there is no easy route.
At the time of writing, the Katathong Golf Resort's clubhouse is not yet open, but it looks luxurious, with plans for accommodation and an on-site spa.
Tee Time Bookings at Katathong
If you are considering a round of golf here then we can help you to book a tee time at Katathong and Thailandgolftour have excellent discounted green fees which can be booked and confirmed online. Click here.
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