Most of the golfers who travel with us are somewhere between 50 and 70. They have played for decades, they know a good course when they see one and they want to enjoy every round, not just get through it. That changes what a good golf tour looks like. It is less about how many rounds you can fit in and more about how the days are put together.

Here are the six things I would check before booking a golf holiday in Thailand or Vietnam, and the questions worth asking any operator, including us.

1. Look at the pace, not just the number of rounds

The number of rounds on a brochure tells you very little on its own. What matters is how they are spaced. On our March 2027 Bangkok / Pattaya Combo, seven rounds are spread over 14 nights, with a free day after almost every round. Bangkok Encore works the same way, with three rounds in a week and a free day before each one. A golf day is more than 18 holes: there is an early breakfast, the drive to the course and the trip back, so back-to-back days add up quickly. When you compare tours, count the free days as well as the rounds.

2. Check what is included on the course

A caddie and a cart make the biggest difference to how a round feels. On our tours, every golfer has their own caddie at every course, and golf carts are included as per the itinerary. Your caddie carries the bag, reads the greens and works out your distances within a few holes, which takes a lot of effort out of the day. Carts can vary by course, so if having one every round matters to you, ask for it to be confirmed before you book.

3. March is a great time to go, with an earlier tee off

We often run our trips in March, and it works well. It is warmer than the peak of the dry season, with daytime temperatures that can reach 33 to 35 degrees, but it is still dry and the courses are in good condition. The trick is an earlier tee off. You play in the cooler part of the morning, finish around lunchtime and have the afternoon to relax and cool down, whether that is by the pool, with a massage or over a cold drink before dinner. If you want the coolest weather of the year, November to February is the pick, and our month by month guide to golf in Thailand covers the rest.

4. Make the travel days easy

The flight from Australia is usually the most tiring part of the whole trip. That is why our tours start with an arrival day and no golf. On the Bangkok / Pattaya Combo, you arrive on day one and play the next day, and on Bangkok Encore the first full day is free. Getting a proper night's sleep before your first round means you actually enjoy it. Private transfers help too: ours use a private van or sedan for the airport and every course, with a meet and greet when you land for the Combo and our Da Nang tour, so there is no wrestling a golf bag into a taxi.

5. Sort out your room, insurance and medication early

A few practical details are much easier to sort before you book than after. Our prices are per person, mostly twin share, so if you would rather have your own room, ask for the single room price up front. We strongly recommend travel insurance on every tour, and it is worth telling your insurer about any existing medical conditions so you know exactly what is covered. For medication, talk to your GP before a long trip, pack enough for the whole holiday plus a few spare days and keep it in your carry on. The Australian Government's Smartraveller site has current advice on travelling with medicines.

6. Think about who you will play with

The company makes the trip as much as the courses do. Some golfers travel with their regular four, while others come on their own and join the group. In both cases, it helps when the group is a similar age and a similar mix of abilities, because the pace of play and the evenings suit everyone. Ask the operator who usually travels on the trip, how playing groups are organised and whether partners who do not play are welcome.

A quick checklist before you book

  • How many rounds are there, and how many free days between them?
  • Is there an arrival day with no golf?
  • Is a caddie included every round, and a cart at every course?
  • When in the year is the trip, and what time are the tee times?
  • Are the airport and course transfers private?
  • What is the single room price?
  • What is not included, such as flights, meals, drinks, gratuities and insurance?

If you would like to talk through any of these for a particular trip, call us on 1300 206 429 or send us a message. You can also compare all our Thailand golf tours and Vietnam golf tours.