Hua Hin Golf Gossip

[heartofmidlothian]

Pretty damn rude to call someone an "ignoramus" Big Boy! Especially when they are not and they are talking about something you obviously don't understand.
Springfield's loss in revenue from visitors (not members), will hurt them over the next few months. Yes, they have the members money already and they actually make 100 000 baht everytime a member sells on to someone else. A new inexperienced greenkeeper took over last spring and he has been working with another previous greenkeeper (who also could not get the course in good shape and used to overwater the fairways until they were muddy - hence the water shortage for a few years now!) The young lad has been trying very hard but is in over his head. The club has bought him some expensive machinery but what they won't invest in is the required salary to get a really good head greenkeeper. It is a difficult job but the most important at any golf course. Banyan and Black Mountain have spent money on top greenkeepers and their courses are consistently good. The owner at Springfield doesn't understand the importance of this but if you want to charge 3000 baht then you better have the course in good shape. A friend of mine (who is a greenkeeper) reckons that they didn't do sufficient aerification or coring, which gets oxygen in to the rootzone. Problem is not going to go away until this is done, but it won't be done soon. As for the fairways, he reckoned they were using poor fertiliser or not enough of it. Let's hope they get it sorted out in the New Year. I reckon Majestic might take over as the best place to be a member in the near future.

[SunandFun]

Pretty damn rude to call someone an "ignoramus" Big Boy! Especially when they are not and they are talking about something you obviously don't understand.

Calm down HofM. My take on his statement was he was referring to himself as being the "ignoramus" since he was not a golfer and not me. So he could not understand why my statement, ( which, by the way was not that clear) seemed to be ready to go elsewhere and leave all my money there. My second post cleared that up for him. I was not offended and appreciate your defense, although not required.
But I agree with your assessment of what will take place if Springfield doesn't get their act together. Keep me posted if you here of any positive or other progress at Springfield. And let's have a round when I return in March/April if you are around. Best I remember you are a member at Banyan, is that correct? Have not played there yet. But heard great things about it. Happy Golfing!

[jingjoe]

I was looking at buying a membership at springfield,i move up to hua hin in a months time,but looks like i will have another good look at the state of the course.
Majestics membership is the second best choice,but i might just keep my money in my pocket and see what transpires.

[PJG]

Have been a member at Springfield for something like 10+ years and have seen the course in good and bad condition in constant cycles in that time. Do not think you have much to worry about as with the weather conditions in Thailand even really bad courses quickly return to good condition with a little tlc.

On a selfish note if the course is not so good and it drives some of the visitors away happy days, easier to get a tee time in high season.

[SunandFun]

I was looking at buying a membership at springfield,i move up to hua hin in a months time,but looks like i will have another good look at the state of the course.
Majestics membership is the second best choice,but i might just keep my money in my pocket and see what transpires.

Like the Stock Market, bad times are when to buy. Wait until you come. Check out "AWOL" a local paper with some really good prices on membership.

[jingjoe]

Like the Stock Market, bad times are when to buy. Wait until you come. Check out "AWOL" a local paper with some really good prices on membership.
[/quote]

awol doesn't seem to be up to date,but yes some ok prices
,the transfer prices the club gets could surely go towards a good greenkeeper.
A lifetime membership is better for me,i still got 25 years to go before i can get the pension,and then some golf after that as well,i don't want to be renewing in my "golden years" of golf

[Phil D]

If Hua Hin wishes to continue to rate as a golfers holiday destination the various courses need to get their act together. Asian Q school is heading there in a couple of weeks. Speaking with a friend who is a Pro Golfer who went to Q school last year he was very disappointed with Lakeside with Springfield being the saviour. Now with Springfield in decline I can only imagine more complaints coming from the Pros. If Hua Hin were to lose prestegious events such as Asian Q school the knock on effect will be a loss of tourist dollars etc

[PET]

If Hua Hin wishes to continue to rate as a golfers holiday destination the various courses need to get their act together. Asian Q school is heading there in a couple of weeks. Speaking with a friend who is a Pro Golfer who went to Q school last year he was very disappointed with Lakeside with Springfield being the saviour. Now with Springfield in decline I can only imagine more complaints coming from the Pros. If Hua Hin were to lose prestegious events such as Asian Q school the knock on effect will be a loss of tourist dollars etc

Lakeview is now in very good condition as already reported above, so the Q Scool finals will be fine there.

[Phil D]

Second stage of Q school is played at both Lakeside and Springfield. Both courses need to be of international standard suitable for Professional Golf tournament. It wasn't the case last year and looks like it won';t be again this year. These guys get a one-off cahance to qualify for the tour. They are playing for their living and deserve to have that decided on playing ability and not luck that acn come into play on a sub-standard course

[PET]

Second stage of Q school is played at both Lakeside and Springfield. Both courses need to be of international standard suitable for Professional Golf tournament. It wasn't the case last year and looks like it won';t be again this year. These guys get a one-off cahance to qualify for the tour. They are playing for their living and deserve to have that decided on playing ability and not luck that acn come into play on a sub-standard course

I played Lakeview C & D course today and it is in very good condition. I spoke to a group of professionals who were doing some early practice and they confirm this also.

[ChrisJ]

Many Thanks to all for answers.....I get the feeling that'll if I call the day before then a one ball should be able to get on in the morning. Last question, which are the easiest courses (for me flat courses and not too narrow a fairway) and still fairly close to hua hin?
Cheers
Chris

[sandemb]

Many Thanks to all for answers.....I get the feeling that'll if I call the day before then a one ball should be able to get on in the morning. Last question, which are the easiest courses (for me flat courses and not too narrow a fairway) and still fairly close to hua hin?
Cheers
Chris

And a caddy that ensures cold beer when required - My kind of golf, forget the Handicap rating!

[valrhona]

Many Thanks to all for answers.....I get the feeling that'll if I call the day before then a one ball should be able to get on in the morning. Last question, which are the easiest courses (for me flat courses and not too narrow a fairway) and still fairly close to hua hin?
Cheers
Chris

In my opinion, it would be Palm Hills... It's one of the closest course to Hua Hin and I thought it was one of the easiest course I've played in Thailand(and most boring).

The one I have found the most enjoyable including value for money is Sea Pines. It's very close to Hua Hin, super easy to walk, nice sea view scenery, good conditions, less expensive than BM and Banyan and a decent challenge with some interesting holes. I've heard it can get clogged but I've been lucky every time I've played there.

They have a 30K membership there which seems fair value...

[jingjoe]

Many Thanks to all for answers.....I get the feeling that'll if I call the day before then a one ball should be able to get on in the morning. Last question, which are the easiest courses (for me flat courses and not too narrow a fairway) and still fairly close to hua hin?
Cheers
Chris

In my opinion, it would be Palm Hills... It's one of the closest course to Hua Hin and I thought it was one of the easiest course I've played in Thailand(and most boring).

The one I have found the most enjoyable including value for money is Sea Pines. It's very close to Hua Hin, super easy to walk, nice sea view scenery, good conditions, less expensive than BM and Banyan and a decent challenge with some interesting holes. I've heard it can get clogged but I've been lucky every time I've played there.

They have a 30K membership there which seems fair value...

What are the conditions of this membership 30k per year? no green fees?..i was under the impression there was no membership available here...anyone know

[heartofmidlothian]

Sea Pines is certainly a better course than Palm Hills. While Palm Hills is an easy layout, the greens are verging on impossible with way too much slope. The membership at Sea Pines doesn't give you free green fee - just a good discount. Mind you I haven't played it in a long time so others will know better than me. It is a good course though. They are using it for 1st stage of Asian Tour school in early Jan.