Your first golf trip to Asia is going to be one of the best things you've ever done. The courses are world-class, the hospitality is genuinely outstanding, and the value for money compared to Australia is remarkable. But there are a few things I wish someone had told me before my first trip. Here's the short version, based on 15 years of taking Australians over there.
Caddies are compulsory and that's a good thing
Most courses in Thailand require a caddie. This surprises some golfers who are used to carrying their own bag. But Thai caddies are attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely add to the experience. They carry your bag, clean your clubs, read putts, and keep the pace moving. Embrace it. The cost is low (green fees usually include the caddie fee) and tipping 300-500 baht at the end is standard. They earn it.
Dress codes are enforced at the good courses
Collared shirts are required at virtually every course worth playing in Thailand. Some have stricter rules around shorts length and shoe type. Pack a couple of proper golf shirts and don't assume your favourite polo from Kmart will cut it. The better the course, the stricter the enforcement.
Tee times start early, often 6am or 6:30am
The tropical heat means most serious golfers are on the first tee at first light. By 11am it's already 32 degrees and climbing. Get into the habit of early nights and early starts. You'll finish your round by midday with the whole afternoon free, which is a great trade-off.
Hydration is not optional
Playing golf in 30-degree heat and high humidity is a very different experience from a Saturday morning at your home club. Drink water every three holes minimum. Most courses have drink carts or halfway houses. Electrolyte tablets in your bag are a good idea. Heat exhaustion on a golf course overseas is not something you want to experience.
Bring twice as many golf gloves as you think you need
The humidity destroys gloves faster than you'd expect. What lasts four rounds at home might last one in Thailand. Pack four to six gloves minimum. Same goes for grip towels. A good microfibre towel in your bag will become your best friend.
Exchange currency on arrival, not before you leave Australia
The exchange rate you'll get at a Bangkok or Phuket exchange booth or hotel is consistently better than what Australian banks and airport currency services offer. Bring Australian dollars and exchange when you arrive. Avoid airport exchange desks at Australian airports specifically, the rates are poor. ATMs in Thailand also work well but carry a small fee per transaction.
Sort your travel insurance before you leave
This one should be obvious but it gets forgotten more than it should. Make sure your policy covers golf equipment (many standard policies have low limits or exclusions), medical evacuation, and trip cancellation. Compare a few options online and read the fine print on equipment coverage. Your clubs are worth protecting.
Don't overload the itinerary with golf
First-timers often want to play every single day. By day five, your body will disagree. Seven rounds over 13 days is genuinely the sweet spot, as it leaves time to enjoy the destination, recover your hands, and make the most of the off-course experience. Golf every day sounds great until you're playing round six with blistered hands and a tired back.
Book through a specialist, not a generic travel agent
There's a big difference between booking an Asian golf tour through someone who actually knows the courses and has direct relationships with course operators, versus a generic travel agent who puts a package together from a wholesale catalogue. The specialist will get you better tee times, better courses, and better value. If something goes wrong on the ground, a specialist has the local contacts to fix it. A generic booking agent does not.
Budget properly for tipping
Thailand has a strong tipping culture and it's entirely reasonable. Budget around 300-500 baht per caddie per round, 100-200 baht for your transfer driver, and a similar amount for hotel staff who help with bags or provide good service. In total this might add AUD $20-30 per day to your costs. Factor it in and it won't feel like a surprise. The people you tip genuinely appreciate it and it goes a long way in Thai terms.
There's plenty more to learn once you're on the ground, but if you know these ten things going in, your first Asia golf trip will be far smoother than most. And when you come back from that first trip, you'll already be planning the next one. Every single person we've taken over has.
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