How to Play Hua Hin’s Best Courses for Less
Hua Hin is the undisputed king of Thai golf, known for its pristine beaches, relaxed atmosphere, and an incredible concentration of high-quality courses. From the challenging Black Mountain to the ocean-side beauty of Sea Pines, the area is a must-visit.
For the budget golfer, the trick isn’t avoiding these courses—it’s knowing how to play them smartly. Here is the blueprint for a high-value, cost-effective golf trip that delivers a world-class experience without the luxury price tag.
1. The Green Fee Strategy: Mixing Premium with Value
The secret to keeping costs down is strategically blending one “splurge” round at a world-class course with multiple rounds at high-value mid-tier and budget-friendly courses.
Bookings can be made thru Deemples for most of golf courses listed below.
| Course Category | Examples | Typical Green Fee (Approx. SGD) | Budget Strategy |
| The Premium Splurge | Black Mountain, Pineapple Valley Bookings can be made thru Deemples for most of golf courses | S$155 – S$185+ | Limit to 1 Round: Choose one bucket-list course and limit yourself to a single round here. Look for multi-round packages that often bundle in a cheaper course. |
| The High-Value Mid-Tier | Springfield Royal (Jack Nicklaus design), Majestic Creek | S$95 – S$105 | Build Your Itinerary Here: These tracks offer exceptional championship quality and pristine conditions at a significantly lower rate. They should be the backbone of your budget trip. |
| The Budget Gem | Royal Hua Hin Golf Course, Sea Pines Golf Course | S$50 – S$75 | The Cost Saver: Play your casual or final round here. Royal Hua Hin (Thailand’s oldest course) is a historical charmer, and Sea Pines provides unique ocean views for a fantastic price. |
Conversion Note: All fees are estimates for the green fee only and are based on an approximate conversion rate of 1 THB $\approx$ 0.0402 SGD. Actual rates will vary significantly based on the season and your booking method.
Bookings can be made thru Deemples for most of golf courses listed here.
2. Accommodation Hacks: Stay Smart, Not Close
While staying on the course property is convenient, it is the quickest way to inflate your budget. Hua Hin’s main town offers abundant, high-quality accommodation that provides a major saving.
- Choose the Town Center: Stay in a high-rated 3-star hotel or guesthouse near the main Hua Hin Night Market or the beach. You can find excellent rooms for S$55 – S$95 per night. This saves you money while keeping you close to diverse, affordable local dining.
- The Private Villa Strategy: If traveling in a group of four or more, consider renting a private villa near the golf zones (like those around Black Mountain). Splitting the cost of a comfortable villa with a pool can be cheaper than individual hotel rooms, often for under S$40 per person/night.
Based on the budget criteria (high-rated 3-star and S$55 – S$95 per night) and the town center location, here are excellent examples of hotels that fit the “budget golfer” profile:
Here are five great options for your budget golfer base camp with a pool:
| Hotel Name | Hotel Class | Rating | Nightly Price (Approx. SGD) | Pool Feature |
| VISA Hotel HUA-HIN | 3-star hotel | 4.4/5 | S$55 | Offers a general outdoor pool for relaxing. |
| Baan Nilrath Hotel | 3-star hotel | 4.3/5 | S$63 | Features an outdoor pool located on the roof—a great spot for views. |
| Kiang Haad Beach | 4-star hotel | 4.1/5 | S$50 | Exceptional value for a 4-star hotel with two pools and a private beach area. |
| Hisea Hua Hin Hotel | 4-star hotel | 4.2/5 | S$91 | Offers a major upgrade with a rooftop infinity pool and poolside bar, staying within budget. |
| Maven Stylish Hotel Hua Hin | 4-star hotel | 4.6/5 | S$100 | A modern, highly-rated hotel with an outdoor pool and a gym for your recovery days. |
These options are all centrally located, making it easy to access the Night Market, local dining, and beach, while still keeping your nightly cost well within the target budget.
Crucially, Hua Hin’s golf courses are not far from the center, making daily travel manageable. The longest drives are to the inland courses, but even those are reasonable:
| Golf Course | Estimated Driving Time from Town Center | Proximity/Context |
| Royal Hua Hin / Sea Pines | 10–15 minutes | These are the closest, located very near or just south of the main town. |
| Black Mountain | 20–25 minutes | A manageable drive to the world-class “splurge” course. |
| Pineapple Valley (Banyan) | 20–25 minutes | Located nearby the Black Mountain area, also an easy trip. |
| Majestic Creek | 35–40 minutes | One of the most inland courses, representing your maximum travel time. |
| Springfield Royal | 30–35 minutes | Located north towards Cha-Am, this is another of the slightly longer, but still manageable, drives. |
3. Essential Budget Checklist & Local Fees
Green fees are only part of the cost. To avoid unexpected charges, budget for mandatory local fees in SGD:
💰 Caddie, Cart, and Tipping
- Caddies are Mandatory: Expect to pay a caddie fee (around ฿350 – ฿450 or S$14 – S$18 per round). They are professionals and a crucial part of the Thai golf experience.
- The Tip is Essential: A standard tip (฿400 – ฿600 or S$16 – S$24) is expected for good service. Do not skip the tip.
- Carts are Extra: Carts are usually optional but cost an additional ฿700 – ฿1,000 (approx. S$28 – S$40). Budget for your own cart fee, as many courses enforce a “one player per buggy” rule.
📅 Timing is Everything: Shoulder Season Savings
- Low Season (May–October): This is the ultimate budget window. You can see 20–30% discounts on both green fees and hotels. The weather is hot, but courses drain well, and rain is often brief.
- Play Weekdays: Weekends consistently carry a surcharge. Playing a Tuesday or Wednesday round is a simple way to save S$20–S$40 at many popular clubs.
🚗 Transfers
- Go Group, Go Private Van: For groups, sharing a pre-arranged private van for daily transfers is far more economical and stress-free than relying on last-minute taxis. Sharing the van cost drastically cuts the per-person expense.
- Of course Grab is also available
Van transfers are available here
* From / to airport to Hua Hin city
The Takeaway
By choosing a great-value base camp in town, strategically selecting your courses, and planning for the mandatory fees, you can build a memorable 5-day, 3-round trip to the golf capital of Thailand for an estimated total cost (excluding flights) of around S$1,080 – S$1,600 per person—an unbeatable price for this level of quality.
You may also want to view our golf guide for other cities and countries available at our homepage