Parichat International Golf Links is one of the newest additions to the Pattaya golfing scene and is located around 30 minutes from downtown Pattaya. Quite a short course and needs time to mature but what it lacks in length it makes up with water which comes into play on almost every hole so high handicappers might have a long day and will certainly need plenty of balls.

A very tough par-5 to start with although for most of us the tee shot is quite straightforward but big hitters will need to probably go with a 3-wood as water and fairway bunkers lurk around 260 yards out. Water encroaches into the fairway and virtually surrounds the next fairway so great accuracy is required for your second and then it’s a wedge across the water to the green protected by bunkers on either side. The second is a medium length par-3 with water all along the left.The third demands a 160 yard carry off the tee to the safety of the fairway but with water left, right and beyond it not a big target. Negotiate that and it’s a relatively simple approach to a very well bunkered green. The 4th is even worse and depending on which tee you choose will require a carry of nearly 180 yards to reach the fairway.The zigzag par-5, fifth is more of the same with water in front of the tee and also all along the right from tee to green making the approach quite tricky.The par-3, sixth is an easier hole if you can avoid the bunkers in front of the green. The ninth hole is a brute with a 200 yard carry over water off the back tees and OB all along the right.

Some respite on the tenth – a straight par-4 with no water!The par-3 eleventh has water all the way along the right and OB left so you need to be accurate off the tee.The 12th is rather unusually a par-6 with a very narrow fairway with water all down the right and a tiny green with water in front and behind.Another 150 yard plus carry off the tee on the par-4, 13th but not too much else to bother you except to avoid the fairway bunkers.The 14th is a short par-3 although water and large bunkers front the green and will collect any under hit shot. Back to type on the 15th with yet another long carry over the water hazard to the safety of the fairway and yet more trouble awaits with water and bunkers either side of the narrow green. One the par-4, 16th a stream crosses the fairway about 200 yards off the tee so all but the very big hitters will have to play up but it’s still only a 7 or 8 iron into the green. The 17th is a brute with another carry off the tee and OB all along the right – long drivers will need to be careful as you can run off the end of the fairway into yet more water.Not too far from there to the green but most of it is over water so you need to concentrate. The course ends as it began with a difficult par-5 with water cutting across the fairway about 200 yards out and then a very narrow landing area for your 2nd with water all along the left. The green is very well protected with water on two sides and two large bunkers left and right.