Although Muang Kaew Golf Club is one of the closest courses to central Bangkok and also the airport, the many trees and lakes insulate you from the city. One of the best maintained and enjoyable golf courses in Bangkok which was totally redesigned by Lee Schmidt and Brian Curley a few years ago and is now a firm favourite on the Bangkok golfing scene.
The course is quite long especially from the black tees but the receptive fairways make up for this and unless you are prone to a huge hook or slice you should be able to successfully negotiate your way to the putting surface.The approach into the green presents a number of challenges as the greens are protected by well-placed and sometimes high-lipped bunkers and close-cut lies around the putting surface.
A number of the par-4s are very similar and you will probably not remember them after your round but there are some challenging par-3s and long and challenging par-5s made even more difficult by numerous water hazards either protecting the green or waiting for that wayward tee shot.
Hole number two is a difficult par 4 with bunkers protecting the right side of the fairway and water hazards encroach into the fairway about 100 yards from the green which is surrounded by bunkers and run-off areas.The third is a very scenic hole with a creek crossing in front of the green and bunkers at the back so you need to pick the correct club for your approach. The 4th is a par 5 which is well in reach of the long hitters and its only protection is the multi-tiered green – you need to pick up shots here as the next few holes offer few opportunities.The sixth is a long and challenging par 5 and it’s very risky to attempt in two as water protects the right side of the green and its safer option to lay up.The 7th is a tricky par 3 with a very fast and shallow green and if you overshoot you are faced with a daunting chip back towards the water.On the 8th you just have to choose how much of the dog-leg you are prepared to take on- overdo it and you end up in the water but if you get it right you are rewarded with a short iron into the green.
The back nine at Muang Kaew Golf Club opens with a straightforward par 4 providing you can avoid the creek which runs along the left side of the fairway.The 11th is a par 4 which requires an accurate tee shot followed by a tricky second to an raised green surrounded by deep bunkers. The par-5 13th starts with a blind tee shot followed by an approach of around 150 yards across an intimidating pond.The 14th is a very exciting par 3 with a long carry into the wind over water with pot bunkers in front of the green.The 18th has a hidden pond lying in waiting to swallow a slightly mishit approach.
Muang Kaew Golf Club is not the most exciting course in the area but the top-class clubhouse, excellent maintenance and very convenient location more than compensate.