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9 Best Golf Courses in Chiang Mai

Northern Thailand's best highland courses. Cooler weather, stunning mountain scenery, and championship layouts at half the Bangkok price.

Updated January 2026

Key Takeaways

Best Overall

Chiang Mai Highlands - Thailand's #3 course with championship conditioning

Best Value

Gymkhana Club - Under ฿1,200 all-in for honest golf

Most Historic

Royal Chiang Mai - Thailand's first international course

Best Scenery

Gassan Khuntan - Mountain and ocean views from every hole

Chiang Mai is Thailand's premier golf destination, with world-class courses designed by legends like Jack Nicklaus, Pete Dye, and Robert Trent Jones Jr. From the LPGA-hosting Siam Country Club to Asia's only floating green at Amata Spring, these 12 courses represent the best golf Chiang Mai has to offer in 2026.

The Rankings

Chiang Mai Highlands Golf and Spa Resort
#1
Thailand #14

Chiang Mai Highlands Golf and Spa Resort

Thailand's #14 ranked course delivers mountain golf perfection in northern paradise.

4.4
Schmidt-Curley Golf Design · 2005Chiang Mai
Weekday
฿2,900
Weekend
฿2,900
  • Ranked #14 in all Thailand with Lee Schmidt design genius
  • 27 holes through sacred mountain terrain with epic elevation changes
  • Paspalum fairways and Tiff-eagle greens running at 10 on stimp
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Our Take

There's a reason Chiang Mai Highlands sits at #14 in all of Thailand. This isn't just another pretty mountain course. Lee Schmidt crafted something special here on what locals call a 'power spot,' the former hermitage of revered monk Kuba Sivichai who founded Doi Suthep temple. The sacred setting translates to golf that feels transcendent.

Signature Hole

Hole 18 (Par 5) - Downhill reachable par-5 with river crossing and dramatic uphill finish by clubhouse.

Pro Tip

Use local caddie knowledge on the undulated greens that slope front to back.

Alpine Golf Resort Chiangmai
#2

Alpine Golf Resort Chiangmai

Alpine Golf Resort delivers championship golf through three distinct nines across varied mountain terrain.

4.5
Ron M. Garl, Pirapon Nanatra · 2008Chiang Mai
Weekday
฿5,000
Weekend
฿5,000
  • Three unique nine-hole loops with different character zones
  • Championship maintenance standards on narrow, challenging fairways
  • Water hazards and strategic bunkers test every skill level
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Our Take

Alpine Golf Resort has quietly become Chiang Mai's most complete golf experience, ranking #2 in the region for good reason. The 2016 expansion added a third nine that transformed this from a solid resort course into a legitimate championship venue. Each nine-hole loop offers distinct personality, from the pine tree parkland section to the water-dominated challenges that define the original layout.

Signature Hole

Hole C7 (Par 4) - A demanding test with water guards and precise approach requirements to an elevated green.

Pro Tip

Play the white tees first to learn the layout before attempting the significantly tougher blue tees.

Gassan Khuntan Golf & Resort
#3

Gassan Khuntan Golf & Resort

Twenty-seven holes of stunning mountain scenery and relentless water challenges await.

4.3
· 2004Chiang Mai
Weekday
฿2,100
Weekend
฿2,100
  • Spectacular Doi Khuntan National Park mountain backdrop
  • Three distinct nine-hole courses offer variety
  • Island greens and water hazards on every nine
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Our Take

Gassan Khuntan delivers one of Thailand's most visually stunning golf experiences, but beauty comes with a price. Designer Pravit Reungpo created 27 holes where water lurks around every corner, turning what should be routine approach shots into nail-biting decisions. The signature island green on the original course's 5th hole exemplifies the challenge perfectly. Miss the small target and you're reaching for another ball.

Signature Hole

Hole 5 (Par 3) - A 163-yard island green surrounded by water with 360-degree mountain views.

Pro Tip

Play the B Course first as it's typically in the best condition and features the strongest collection of holes.

Gassan Legacy Golf Club
#4

Gassan Legacy Golf Club

Island green drama meets strategic water hazards on every single hole.

4.1
Lee Schmidt (Schmidt-Curley) · 2014Chiang Mai
Weekday
฿3,550
Weekend
฿3,550
  • Water threatens every single hole for constant pressure
  • Famous 9th hole island green rivals TPC Sawgrass
  • Excellent greens and bunkers with mountain backdrop
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Our Take

Gassan Legacy earns its reputation as one of Chiang Mai's most challenging tracks through relentless water play. When they say water comes into play on all 18 holes, they mean it. This course will test your nerve on every single shot, from tee to green.

Signature Hole

Hole 9 (Par 5) - Island green par-5 that's become one of Thailand's most photographed holes

Pro Tip

Listen to your caddie religiously here because hidden water hazards lurk everywhere you can't see.

Summit Green Valley Chiangmai
#5

Summit Green Valley Chiangmai

Championship golf meets Lanna architecture on a deceptively challenging mountain-ringed layout.

4.3
Dennis Griffiths · 1996Chiang Mai
Weekday
฿4,500
Weekend
฿4,500
  • Denis Griffiths design with water hazards on nearly every hole
  • Authentic Lanna-style clubhouse with distinctive teak roofing tiles
  • Flat layout surrounded by Chiang Mai's dramatic mountain backdrop
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Our Take

Summit Green Valley occupies an interesting spot in Chiang Mai's golf hierarchy. Built on former paddy fields and designed by Denis Griffiths in 1990, this 7,202-yard layout presents more challenge than its flat topography might suggest. Water comes into play on virtually every hole, turning what could be a gentle mountain course into a genuine test of accuracy and course management.

Signature Hole

Hole 9 (Par 4) - Demanding tee shot must carry water to reach a landing area guarded by bunkers on both sides

Pro Tip

Land approach shots below the hole as these greens have severe slopes that will punish anything above the pin.

North Hill Chiang Mai Golf
#6

North Hill Chiang Mai Golf

Strategic mountain course where placement trumps power and greens demand respect

4.3
· 2011Chiang Mai
Weekday
฿2,100
Weekend
฿2,100
  • Lightning-fast greens that reject aggressive approaches
  • Spectacular Doi Suthep mountain backdrop throughout
  • Strategic water hazards demand course management skills
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Our Take

North Hill delivers exactly what Chiang Mai golf needed. A course that punishes golf's most common sin: the ego-driven approach shot. These greens don't care about your handicap or how pure you struck that 7-iron. Land it hot, watch it roll off the back.

Signature Hole

Hole 8 (Par 3) - Tee shot over water to an elevated green with stunning waterfall backdrop

Pro Tip

Club down on approach shots because these rock-hard greens will reject anything landing hot.

Artitaya Golf&Resort Chiangmai
#7

Artitaya Golf&Resort Chiangmai

A quirky parkland test where orchard-lined fairways and strategic trees create unconventional challenges.

4.4
· 2009Chiang Mai
Weekday
฿2,400
  • Strategic trees placed mid-fairway demand creative shot-making
  • Water hazards on holes 3, 5, and 13 provide memorable drama
  • Excellent value with knowledgeable English-speaking caddies
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Our Take

Artitaya occupies a unique niche in Chiang Mai's golf landscape. At 7,329 yards from the tips, this former Gold Canyon layout delivers length without the pristine conditions you'd find at Alpine or Highlands. What makes it memorable are the design quirks that force you to think differently about standard golf shots.

Signature Hole

Hole 13 (Par 5) - Double dogleg that demands precise drives over water to navigate past a second lake threatening sliced approach shots.

Pro Tip

Take an extra club on approach shots to peninsula greens on holes 3 and 5, as water short leaves no room for error.

Hariphunchai Golf Club
#8

Hariphunchai Golf Club

Championship nine-hole gem by Yoshikazu Kato delivers big course thrills near Chiang Mai

4.4
· Chiang Mai
  • Kato design brilliance in compact package
  • Dual tee system creates 18-hole variety
  • Private club conditions at public rates
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Our Take

Yoshikazu Kato has pulled off something remarkable at Hariphunchai. The man who gave us Blue Canyon has compressed championship golf into nine holes that feel like 18. This course ranks eighth in Chiang Mai not because of any shortcomings, but because the region's depth of quality is staggering.

Signature Hole

Hole 9 (Par 5) - Monster 650-yard closer with strategic tree placement demanding precise layup positioning

Pro Tip

Play from both sets of tees to experience Kato's genius in creating completely different angles and yardages.

Chiang Mai Gymkhana Club
#9

Chiang Mai Gymkhana Club

Thailand's oldest golf club delivers tree-lined challenges with colonial charm since 1898.

4.2
· 1898Chiang Mai
  • Historic 1898 teak merchant club with authentic colonial atmosphere
  • Tree-lined parkland demands precision over power
  • Waterfall backdrop on signature eighth hole
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Our Take

Chiang Mai Gymkhana Club stands as a living museum of Thai golf history, founded by British teak merchants when Thailand was still Siam. This nine-hole parkland course may lack the polish of modern resort tracks, but it compensates with character that newer courses simply cannot manufacture. The mature trees that define each hole create corridors where accuracy trumps distance every time.

Signature Hole

Hole 8 (Par 3) - Short iron to elevated green with stunning waterfall cascading behind the pin.

Pro Tip

Walk the course to fully appreciate the colonial-era layout and save energy for the challenging back nine.

Ready to Play?

Check real-time weather forecasts for all 22 Chiang Mai courses and find the perfect day for your round.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best golf course in Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai Highlands Golf Club is widely considered Chiang Mai's best course, ranked #14 in all of Thailand with championship conditioning, stunning mountain vistas, and world-class facilities.
How much do Chiang Mai golf courses cost?
Green fees range from ฿1,200 at Gymkhana Club to ฿4,500+ at Chiang Mai Highlands. Most quality courses charge ฿2,000-3,500 including caddie. Weekend rates are typically 15-30% higher.
Which Chiang Mai courses are in Thailand's Top 20?
Two Chiang Mai courses rank in Thailand's Top 20: Chiang Mai Highlands Golf Club (#3) and Pineapple Valley Golf Club (#10). Both offer championship conditions and world-class design.
What's the best time to play golf in Chiang Mai?
November to February offers ideal conditions with lower humidity and temps around 25-32°C. Book early morning tee times (6-8am) to avoid afternoon heat. The rainy season can still offer good golf.
Do I need to tip caddies at Chiang Mai golf courses?
Yes, tipping caddies is customary. The standard tip is ฿300-500 for 18 holes, with ฿500+ for exceptional service. Caddies are essential in Thailand for reading greens and local knowledge.
How far is Chiang Mai from Bangkok?
Chiang Mai is approximately 700km from Bangkok, about 1 hour by flight depending on traffic. Many golfers base themselves in Chiang Mai for easier access to the 10+ courses in the region.

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