WHERE'S THE GOLF?
Over the past five or so years, Hua Hin has emerged as one of, if not the best golfing destination in the Land of Smiles, with a number of new courses coming online. The pick of the bunch is the wonderfully natural layout at Banyan Golf Club, a 45-minute drive away. Built over a former pineapple plantation and designed by young local architect Piraporn Namatra, the front nine here thunders across relatively open country, while the closing stretch plays through a series of particularly lovely and heavily vegetated valleys.
Another fine choice – and one of the best conditioned courses anywhere – is Black Mountain Golf Club (30 minutes), which has hosted numerous professional events in recent times. While the routing is perhaps a little contrived – the mountainous terrain the architects had to work with isn't perfectly suited to golf – there are a great many fun holes out here, especially on the scenic back nine, while playability is enhanced by generous fairways and not overly contoured putting surfaces.
The hotel's golfing packages include rounds at both Banyan and Black Mountain, while the Jack Nicklaus-designed Springfield Royal and nearby Palm Hills can also be booked either before or during your stay.
The hotel is also looking at creating a large putting green, inspired by the famous "Himalayas" at St Andrews, for hotel guests of all playing standards to enjoy. No completion date has been announced but one hopes their plans are realised, as the idea, like the resort as a whole, is certainly innovative.
