Laem Chabang International Country Club

Laem Chabang International Country Club: Comprising three nine-hole loops - Mountain (A), Lake (B) and Valley (C) - there are few Stay&Play golf venues in Thailand to rival Laem Chabang. The 27-hole Jack Nicklaus signature layout is complemented by comfortable onsite accommodations located alongside the large clubhouse.

The downhill doglegging par-4 1st on the Mountain-nine, requires you to squeeze the ball through a lush "canyon" of vegetation and rocky outcrops. A tough start perhaps, but as with many holes at Laem Chabang, there's more space out there than you at first think. The par-3 2nd, a wonderfully water-fronted downhiller, is as charming as short holes get ... just make sure you clear the water. From there on, you will be challenged by the course's natural undulations, occasional water hazards and excellent sprawling bunkers that protect the front and sides of many nicely elevated greens.

The presence of water doesn't overwhelm the layout here, as it can on many other Thai courses. That said, the opening four holes on the more technical Valley-nine are menacingly defended by three large connected ponds. Elsewhere, when water does occasionally occur, it does so with knee-trembling impact.

Beautifully maintained and presented, this is a golf course that effortlessly combines its man-made features with a lush planting of flowers and shrubs, rocky outcrops and jungle vegetation ... a reflection of the natural splendour found in the surroundings hills. With many scenic views from the course, it all fuses harmoniously into an excellent golfing experience and one that is uniquely Asian.

Stay & Play at Laem Chabang: onsite accommodation available, see Where2Stay section below.