Dennis Griffiths designed Phoenix Gold Golf & Country Club, which is nestled on wooded, rolling terrain. The Ocean, Lake, and Mountain nines of this Pattaya golf course offer spectacular vistas of the surrounding mountains and the Gulf of Thailand. Large mango trees, eucalyptus trees, and flowering bushes add color and give the plan a natural sense.
This palm-lined parkland course features gently contoured fairways, small bunkers, and sloping greens. Planted hedges define the tee-boxes.
Phoenix Gold does not have much water compared to most other Pattaya golf courses, except on the Lake Course, which is also the shortest of the three loops. The majority of the water in this area comes from a succession of small ponds. The 8th hole is a tight par-4 dogleg around a pond that necessitates two precise strokes for par.
The moniker Ocean Course is a bit of a misnomer because none of the nine holes are near water. On the Ocean Course, however, wait until the last hole. This par-5's tee box is located at the highest point on the course, providing a panoramic view of the Gulf of Thailand and the Pattaya cityscape. The first shot from the tee is straight down a sloping fairway, followed by a second shot targeted at the Gulf of Thailand. On the third shot onto the green, large sand bunkers on both sides of the fairway come into play. It's best to avoid the bunker on the front left of the green because it's difficult to get up and down for par from there.
The center of the green is preferred for an easy par, or even birdie!
The Mountain Course, perhaps the best nine, takes first place in terms of scenery. A beautiful range of bending, jungle-clad hills is always visible. A gigantic, laser-carved figure of Buddha adorns the rocky facade of one mountain, its golden lines striking out against the grey of the rock face - quite a sight, especially when lighted by the sun's rays.
The terrain is dominated by a big clubhouse with a large central welcome and pro shop. It isn't as opulent as some of Pattaya's other golf courses, but the locker rooms and other amenities are decent, and the restaurant, which serves both Thai and European cuisine, is pretty nice and reasonably priced.
Because of its easy access from Pattaya and good playing conditions, Phoenix Gold Golf Club is worth including in most Pattaya golf packages.
