Waterford Valley Golf Club
Weekday green fee
1,500THB
Weekend: 2,000 THB
Waterford Valley Golf Club is one of Chiang Rai's most scenic and underrated golf experiences — an 18-hole, par-72 layout by American architect Mark Rathert that opened in 1996 within the beautiful Wiang Chiang Rung hills, about 40 minutes south of Chiang Rai city. The course stretches to 6,961 yards from the championship tees and takes full advantage of its elevated terrain — the fairways roll through a lush valley setting that provides cooling highland breezes throughout the round, making it one of the most comfortable all-day venues in the region. While the layout is not the most technically demanding in Chiang Rai, its elevation changes, well-placed water hazards, and small, accurate-approach-required greens ensure that strong ball-striking is rewarded and that high handicappers are kept busy. Green fees are approximately 1,500 THB on weekdays and 2,000 THB at weekends — among the best value in the region for an 18-hole layout of this scale and quality.
18
Holes
72
Par
870 km
From Bangkok
~12h
Drive time
Layout & playing experience
Mark Rathert's routing at Waterford Valley works with rather than against the natural topography of the Wiang Chiang Rung hills, creating a course that has a pleasingly natural feel despite being over thirty years old. The fairways are generally generous enough to allow mid-handicappers to find them from the tee, but the sloping lies and elevation changes mean that comfortable flat stances for approach shots are rarer than the yardage cards might suggest — a hallmark of Highland Thailand courses. Water hazards appear throughout the round in the form of streams and ponds that channel through the valley floor, coming into play meaningfully on six or seven holes and contributing to the scoring challenge without dominating the strategic picture. The small, firm greens are the course's defining characteristic: they demand accurate approach play and punish anything that misses in the wrong direction, particularly on the downslope exits where chip shots can be difficult to stop close. The back nine uses more of the elevated terrain and includes several holes with striking mountain panoramas — on clear mornings, the distant peaks of the Doi Tung and Doi Mae Salong ranges are visible from the upper tees. Caddies are mandatory and knowledgeable about the local terrain, providing essential guidance on reading the slopes.
Tips & what to know before you go
Waterford Valley Golf Club is at its finest between November and February, when the cooler highland climate makes all-day golf comfortable and the valley views are at their clearest. Avoid the hottest months of March and April unless you plan very early morning tee times. The rainy season (June to September) keeps the course lush but afternoon play can be interrupted by short, sharp storms — morning rounds are strongly recommended. The course is approximately 30 kilometres from Chiang Rai International Airport (CEI) — a 35 to 40 minute drive along well-maintained rural roads. Chiang Rai city hotels are around 40 minutes away. Budget approximately 1,500–2,000 THB for green fees plus 350 THB caddie and 600 THB cart. The official website at waterfordgolfcourse.com has current rate information; contact the club directly at +66-53-953440 or +66-81-530-6535 for the latest pricing and tee time availability.
Location & getting there
Waterford Valley Golf Club is situated in the Wiang Chiang Rung hills in the southern part of Chiang Rai province, approximately 30 kilometres from Chiang Rai International Airport (CEI) and 40 minutes by road from Chiang Rai city. The airport receives multiple daily flights from Bangkok — approximately 1 hour 15 minutes from both Suvarnabhumi (BKK) and Don Mueang (DMK). From the airport, the club is a direct drive south through the Mae Lao and Wiang Chiang Rung districts. Local transfers can be arranged through the club or through most Chiang Rai city hotels.
No clubs? No problem.
Flying Bangkok–Chiang Rai for a round at Waterford Valley? LENGOLF delivers rental clubs to your Bangkok hotel the night before departure — skip the checked baggage fees and arrive at one of the region's most scenic layouts fully equipped.