Best Ocean Golf Club is a little further outside Bangkok and takes around 40 minutes form the centre of the city.Designed by the renowned team of Schmidt and Curley who have turned this links-style course into one of the most difficult golf courses in Bangkok and due to its proximity to the coast you also have to contend with the prevailing winds.This is a long and difficult course and unless you are a very good golfer do not attempt the back tees which measure some 7,200 yards. Abundance of water running alongside many of the holes adds to the difficulty.

Best Ocean has water running alongside most fairways and often both sides and this means that the landing areas are often very narrow and made worse by the addition of large fairway bunkers. Many of the greens are elevated so that it’s quite difficult to hold the greens and you will often have to cope with tricky chips to save par.

The opening hole is a good example of what is to follow with water running along the right side from tee to green and a pond left perfectly positioned for a mishit drive. A large beach-type bunkers lines the right hand water hazard and another bunker along the left makes for a very narrow landing area.

The second and third holes are very similar with water along both sides.The fourth hole if the first of the par-3’s with water in front of the green and six bunkers protecting either side of the flat green although there is plenty of room over the back.The seventh hole is particularly challenging as you have to tee off over the edge of the hazard to a narrow landing area protected by three bunkers. The water runs very close to the left edge of the green which makes for a tricky approach.The eighth is challenging par-3 with water both sides and a large bunker along the right.

A very intimidating tee shot as you start the back nine as you have to carry the water hazard and with the fairway turning slightly left any slight pull will end in the water. Another tough tee shot on the eleventh with water in front and along the left – need to keep right if you can to open up the green or you will have to carry the edge of the water hazard as well as the two greenside bunkers.The twelfth is an easier par-3 as long as you can avoid the water along the right and the jungle which edges the fairway along the left.T here is some water on the par-5 thirteenth but it doesn’t really come into play but you will have to contend with eleven bunkers.The sixteenth is interesting as you have to play onto an island fairway and then to a green protected by a large semi-circular bunker.One the seventeenth you play from an island tee box onto a dogleg fairway with water both sides. Great finishing hole ending in a daunting approach to a green fronted by water and surrounded by one large bunker.

The clubhouse and practice facilities are up to the standards you would expect from a top-class club.