Phoenix Gold Golf & Country Club
Overview
Phoenix Gold Golf & Country Club is a 27-hole resort-style championship golf facility located in the Huay Yai area south of Pattaya, designed by Dennis Griffiths and opened in 1993. The course is structured as three nine-hole loops — Mountain, Lakes, and Ocean — combinable into any 18-hole round, each named for the dominant terrain feature it traverses. The mix of wooded rolling terrain, gentle elevation changes, water hazards, and panoramic views of mountains and the Gulf of Thailand makes Phoenix Gold one of the most visually striking and beginner-friendly courses in the Pattaya region.
In the Pattaya golf hierarchy, Phoenix Gold sits comfortably in the upper-mid tier: less prestigious than Laem Chabang International (Jack Nicklaus design, World Golf Awards perennial nominee) or Burapha (Graham + Panks, Thailand Open host), but more accessible, more forgiving, and more visually varied than either. For mixed-ability golf groups and visitors wanting a beautiful course with reasonable challenge and weekday rates around ฿3,000, Phoenix Gold is one of the best choices in the region.
The Designer — Dennis Griffiths
Dennis Griffiths is an American golf course architect known for designs across the Southern United States, with several international projects including Phoenix Gold. His design philosophy emphasises:
- Natural terrain integration — using existing landforms rather than fighting them
- Strategic variety — each hole presenting different shot demands
- Visual appeal — vistas and aesthetic moments built into the routing
- Playability across abilities — challenging from the back tees, reasonable from forward markers
Phoenix Gold reflects all four principles. The course works as both a resort experience for casual visitors and a strategic test for advanced players depending on tee selection.
The Three Nines
Phoenix Gold's defining feature is the 27-hole / three-loop arrangement, with each nine offering a distinct character. The course can be played as Mountain + Lakes (M+L), Mountain + Ocean (M+O), or Lakes + Ocean (L+O), giving golfers three different 18-hole experiences from a single property.
Mountain Course
- Routes through elevated terrain with significant elevation changes
- Panoramic views from the higher holes
- Challenging elevation changes affect shot distance and club selection
- The most dramatic of the three loops visually
Ocean Course
- Stunning seaside vistas with fairways overlooking the Gulf of Thailand
- The most photographed of the three nines
- Coastal wind variability can impact play conditions
- Routes that appear on Pattaya golf marketing imagery
Lakes Course
- Tranquil and strategic layout with numerous water hazards
- Lush surroundings — heavy tree cover, garden-style aesthetics
- More demanding strategically — water in play on most holes
- Best layout for players who enjoy risk-reward decision-making
Recommended Combinations
- Casual / first-time visitors: Mountain + Ocean (most visually rewarding)
- Strategic players wanting challenge: Lakes + Mountain (water + elevation combined)
- Photographers and view-seekers: Mountain + Ocean for panoramic vistas
- Multi-day visitors: Play all three loops across two rounds (M+L day 1, then Ocean nine on a 9-hole second visit)
Course Style
Phoenix Gold is built on wooded, rolling terrain in the Huay Yai countryside south of Pattaya. The design is resort-style championship, meaning:
- Wide fairways — forgiving off the tee, accessible to mid and higher handicaps
- Gentle elevation changes — visually interesting without being punishing
- Water hazards — strategic water features especially on the Lakes nine
- Scenic views of the surrounding hills, coastline, Gulf of Thailand
- Wooded surrounds — mature trees framing fairways, forming visual corridors
The course is easier than Laem Chabang or Burapha for high-handicap players while still presenting enjoyable challenge for low handicaps from the back tees.
Pricing
Standard Rates
- Weekday green fee (18 holes): ~฿3,000
- Weekend green fee: higher (confirm at booking)
- 27-hole packages: discounted vs. two separate rounds (~฿4,500-5,500)
- Twilight rates: typically ~฿1,500-2,000 for late afternoon
Prices shown are applicable until 31st March 2026 but are subject to change without notice.
Mandatory Add-Ons
- Caddy fee: included in package (compulsory across Pattaya golf)
- Caddy tip recommended: ฿400 (paid directly to caddy after round)
- Cart: ฿700/person, NOT included in green fee, paid at pro shop on arrival
Discount Booking
Multiple third-party booking platforms offer 20-30% below walk-up rates:
- Phoenix Gold direct site (phoenixgoldgolf.com/price-list)
- Golf Pattaya (golfpattaya.com)
- Pattaya Golf Courses (pattayagolfcourses.com)
- Golfsavers (golfsavers.com)
- Golfasian (golfasian.com)
- Pattaya Golf Net (pattayagolf.net)
- Hua Hin Golf (huahingolf.com)
Bundled packages typically include green fee + caddy + cart + transport from your Pattaya hotel.
Location & Access
- Huay Yai area, south of Pattaya — countryside setting, 15-25 minutes from central Pattaya
- Phone: confirm via website
- Website: phoenixgoldgolf.com
- Easy access from Pattaya — one of the more conveniently located courses in the region
- From central Pattaya: ~20-25 min by car
- From Jomtien: ~15-20 min
- From Suvarnabhumi (BKK): ~110 km / 1.5h
- From U-Tapao (UTP): ~30-40 min
Pros
- 27-hole flexibility — three distinct nines (Mountain, Ocean, Lakes)
- Visually striking — Gulf of Thailand views, mountain vistas, water features
- Beginner and mixed-ability friendly — wide fairways, gentle elevation
- Resort-style championship design — serves both casual and serious golfers
- Reasonable green fees (~฿3,000 weekday) — value tier vs. Laem Chabang/Siam Country Club
- Wooded rolling terrain — beautiful course aesthetics
- South of Pattaya location — convenient from Jomtien, Pratumnak, central Pattaya
- Multiple booking discount channels — 20-30% off walk-up easily achievable
Cons
- Cart NOT included in green fee (฿700/person extra)
- Mid-tier prestige — not a major-tournament-host course like Burapha
- Quality of caddy service can vary — some highly knowledgeable, some less so
- Less demanding than Laem Chabang/Burapha for advanced players — purist tournament-grade golfers may want more challenge
Best For
- Mixed-ability golf groups wanting a beautiful, accessible round
- Beginners and high-handicap players — wide fairways, forgiving design
- Multi-day visitors wanting visual variety across three nines
- Photographers — the Ocean and Mountain nines are highly photogenic
- Players prioritising value — ฿3,000 weekday rate is competitive
- Scenic / view-focused golfers
Not Best For
- Tournament-grade strategic challenge seekers (Laem Chabang or Burapha)
- Pure walk-up budget golfers (use online booking for discounts)
- Players wanting the absolute prestige round in Pattaya (Siam Country Club Old, Laem Chabang)
Quick Reference Card
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Designer | Dennis Griffiths |
| Opened | 1993 |
| Holes | 27 — Mountain · Lakes · Ocean nines |
| Location | Huay Yai (south of Pattaya) |
| Weekday green fee | ~฿3,000 (18 holes) |
| Cart | ฿700/person (compulsory, separate from green fee) |
| Caddy tip recommended | ฿400 |
| Style | Resort-style championship, wooded rolling terrain |
| Best for | Mixed-ability groups, scenic golf, value-tier rounds |
| Verified | 2026-04-27 |