The Emerald Golf Club
Weekday green fee
1,250THB
Weekend: 1,450 THB
The Emerald Golf Club is an 18-hole, par-72 course in Ban Chang, Rayong, opened in 1995 and co-designed by Nick Faldo and Desmond Muirhead — a rare collaboration between two figures better known individually: Faldo as a six-time major champion turned course designer, and Muirhead as the architect responsible for several distinctive and unconventional layouts across Asia. Set into the hills above Rayong, the course weaves through rainforest of mature trees and is known for dramatic, crater-like greens and a collection of demanding par-3 holes that have established it as one of the more technically challenging courses in the eastern region. At 1,250 THB on weekdays and 1,450 THB on weekends (caddie and cart included), The Emerald is among the best-value destination rounds in the Pattaya-Rayong corridor for golfers who prioritise design quality over resort facilities.
18
Holes
72
Par
190 km
From Bangkok
~2h
Drive time
Layout & playing experience
The Emerald's rainforest setting creates a playing environment fundamentally different from the open resort layouts that dominate the Pattaya area. The mature tree canopy narrows the effective fairway width, requiring accurate placement off the tee rather than raw distance. Muirhead's influence is evident in the greens — volcanic-like in contour, with elevation changes and slopes that make approach trajectory as important as approach distance. The par-3 holes have drawn consistent attention from course reviewers: the combination of natural hazards (trees, elevation, and topography) with Faldo's characteristic emphasis on leaving the right angle into the flag makes them genuinely strategic rather than merely penal. At 6,628 yards the course is not punishing in length, but the terrain and green design compensate. An on-site golf lodge makes the course practical as a stay-and-play option for those wanting multiple Rayong rounds.
Tips & what to know before you go
The Emerald is 40 minutes beyond central Pattaya and approximately 2 hours from Bangkok — it's most practical as part of a multi-course eastern seaboard trip or as a standalone destination for golfers staying in the Ban Chang / Rayong area. The tree-lined fairways mean ball-striking accuracy matters more than distance; high ball-flight players may find the canopy interfering with approach shots on several holes. Morning tee times offer cooler conditions and the best light through the rainforest. The all-in pricing (caddie and cart included) simplifies budgeting — the 1,250/1,450 THB rate is one of the lowest in the Pattaya-Rayong corridor for a course of this design pedigree. The Emerald also goes by its former name 'Rayong Century Golf Club' in some older booking databases — confirm the course when booking through golf agents.
Location & getting there
The Emerald Golf Club is located approximately 190km southeast of central Bangkok at 81 Moo 6, Ban Chang District, Rayong 21130. The drive from Bangkok takes around 135 minutes via the Bang Na–Trat Expressway (Highway 7) through Pattaya and onward to Rayong. The course is roughly 40 minutes from central Pattaya by car. Pre-arranged golf transfers from Pattaya or Bangkok hotels are the standard transport option. An on-site golf lodge is available for golfers wishing to stay at the course.
No clubs? No problem.
Heading to The Emerald in Rayong? Rent clubs from LENGOLF and take a Faldo-Muirhead design with the right set — without checking a bag.