Course Review - Bangpra Golf Club

Bangpra Golf Club, the monkey course, situated about 50km North of Pattaya is amongst the oldest courses in the Chonburi Province.  With it’s tree lined fairways, probably described these days as a parkland course, offers a good test for all levels of player.  Several professional tournaments having been hosted here, with the Black tees being a genuine beast.  White tees here at nearly 6500 yards provide a challenge for the amateur golfer, when combined with the sloping greens, to play to your handicap is a more than acceptable result.  

The 1st hole here may well set the tone for the day, 400 yards gently rising to a large back to front sloping green, make a net par and run to the next hole.  The layout comprises the standard 4 par 3s and 4 par 5s, 2 of the par 5s offering a reasonable degree of risk and reward, going for the green in 2 over some water, if a good drive has been achieved. Hole 8, a par 3 over water, which plays in the range of 150 - 170 yards from the Whites is probably the signature hole of the course, with a spectacular backdrop of multi colored bougainvillea most of the year.  As with several of the holes here, this par 3 plays up a gentle slope, so take that extra club.

While the greens do not have the same degree of speed some veterans may recall, the slopes will still cause some frustration as the ball gently keeps rolling past the hole on that misjudged putt.  Fairways are generous, with manageable rough, before making it to the tree line, where options become somewhat “limited”.  A course that will not take all the balls in your bag, it is well worth a visit, keep your scoring expectations moderate, and a good day of golf is assured.