Playing golf in Thailand for the first time is a genuinely good experience — the courses are well-maintained, the caddies are attentive, and the combination of early-morning air and tropical scenery makes a compelling case. But a few things work differently here than at home, and knowing them in advance means your first round runs smoothly.
Booking Your Tee Time
Most Bangkok-area courses allow advance booking by phone, email, or through a booking platform like GolfNow. Weekdays can be flexible; weekends fill up fast and require advance reservation at popular layouts.
Book at least a few days ahead for a weekday round, and a week or more for a weekend.
What to Bring
Dress code — collared shirt required at virtually all courses. Tailored shorts or full trousers. No cargo shorts, no denim, no sleeveless tops. Soft-spike or spikeless golf shoes. The dress code is enforced at the pro shop before you go out.
**Packing list:** 1. Collared golf shirt (moisture-wicking recommended — it's hot) 2. Tailored shorts or lightweight trousers 3. Golf shoes (soft spikes or spikeless) 4. Hat or visor 5. Sunscreen SPF 50+ 6. Cash for caddie tip 7. Water bottle (courses also provide water on the course)
Arrival — Pro Shop, Bag Drop, and Caddie Assignment
Arrive at least 30 minutes before your tee time. The sequence at a typical Bangkok course:
1. **Check in at the pro shop** — present your booking, pay green fees 2. **Bag drop** — attendants take your bag to the first tee or buggy 3. **Caddie assignment** — you will be assigned a caddie; you do not choose. If you've played before and have a preferred caddie, request them when booking 4. **Buggy** — a golf cart is standard at most Bangkok courses; you and your caddie share it
Take a few minutes to introduce yourself to your caddie, share your handicap or skill level, and ask them to help with club selection and green reading.
On the Course — The Caddie Dynamic
The caddie relationship is central to golf in Thailand. At most courses, caddies are mandatory. They carry or manage your bag, rake bunkers, clean your clubs, read putts, track your ball, and advise on yardages and wind.
You're not obligated to follow every piece of advice — but listening on the greens is usually worth it. They know the course far better than you do.
**Pace of play:** Rounds typically run 4.5–5.5 hours for 18 holes. This is normal and expected.
Tipping at the End
Tipping your caddie is standard practice and expected. The standard range is 400–500 THB per round, paid in cash directly to your caddie. For a particularly helpful or skilled caddie, 600–1,000 THB is appropriate.
Have the cash ready before you get back to the clubhouse. Hand it directly to your caddie with a brief thank-you.
After the Round
Most Bangkok-area courses have a clubhouse restaurant or café. Post-round meals are a genuine tradition — iced coffee or a cold beer, fried rice or pad thai, and a debrief on the round. Shower facilities are typically available at the clubhouse.
If you want to shake off travel fatigue or recalibrate your swing before your first outdoor round, LENGOLF offers an indoor simulator in central Bangkok — an hour in a climate-controlled bay is a practical way to arrive at the first tee feeling ready rather than rusty.
Key Takeaways
- Caddies are mandatory at most Bangkok courses and are a genuine asset — use their local knowledge, especially on the greens
- Standard caddie tip is 400–500 THB in cash, paid directly at the end of the round
- Arrive 30 minutes early: check in at the pro shop, drop your bag, and meet your caddie before heading to the first tee
- A collared shirt and tailored shorts cover the dress code at virtually every Bangkok course
Try It Yourself
Experience indoor golf at LENGOLF, The Mercury Ville @ BTS Chidlom, Floor 4, Bangkok. Open 9am – 11pm, Monday – Sunday. No experience needed.