Chiang Mai Highlands Golf & Spa Resort

Course Data
Location Chiang Mai, Thailand
Yardage 7063 yards　Par 72
Course Rating  
Playing Date 26 Jul. 2006
Desingner Lee Schmidt & Brian Curley
Opened 2006
Caddie Yes
Golf Cart Yes (Can be drive on the fairways)
Rating
Overall Rating
4.45
Course Layout
5
Difficulty Level
4
Greens Condition
4
Fairways Condition
5
Landscaping & Views
4
　

Nestled in mountaineous surroundings, the course is mainly very hilly. It was previously terraced rice paddies and features 2 streams that are prominent throughout the layout. You can enjoy great mountain views from the course. The front 9 are relatively flat while the back 9 were designed to incorporate natural hills and scenic views of the valley and surrounding mountain ranges. Many holes have water hazards on the left, so the course is suitable for fade hitters, but not for draw hitters.

A view from the clubhouse

A view
A view from 11th hole
 
Hole 2　Par 3　184 yards

2nd green ssen from the side

Hole 2　Par 3　184 yards　
A slightl downhill over water. The narrow green faces the water on the left and a bunker awaits on the right, so an accurate shot is needed.

 

 
　
Hole 3　Par 5　586 yards

Hole 3　Par 5　586 yards (2)

Hole 3　Par 5　586 yards (1)
A dogleg to the left. A lake continues from the tee to the green on the left. 2 large bunkers are well placed on the right fairway 230 yards off the tee. 3 bunkers in a row on the right fairway on the second shot and a large bunker in front of the green will come into play. This is a good hole where the sophisticated placements of the bunkers and the water make this a challenging hole.
　
Hole 5　Par 4　460 yards

Hole 5　Par 4　460 yards (2)

Hole 5　Par 4　460 yards (1)
A dogleg to the left, long par 4. A lake on the left is in play on the tee shot, but you need to drive hard; otherwise, it will be difficult to hit the green on regulation. The green is elevated and guarded by bunkers.
　
8th　Par4　418 yards

8th　Par4　418 yards (2)

8th　Par4　418 yards (1)
A slight dogleg to the left. The landing area on the tee shot is squeezed by several bunkers on the left corner. The elevated green is also surrounded by bunkers
 
10th　Par 4　314 yards

A straight hole with a lake on the right. The fairway is relatively generous but guarded by bunkers on both sides. The green slopes from front to back and is double tiered


10th hole seen from the green

10th　Par 4　314 yards (2)

10th　Par 4　314 yards (1)
　
13th　Par4　399 yards

13th　Par4　399 yards (2)

13th　Par4　399 yards (1)
A downhill. A lake eats into the fairway in front of the green. The lake on the left of the green and bunkers protecting on the front right & left of the green are in play. The green is double tiered and split right and left.
 
18th　Par 5　558 yards

A slight dogleg to the left with an elevated tee playing downhill. . A strong tee shot down the left side of the fairway gives you the opportunity to try for the green on the second shot. The second shot is over a river, and the third shot is back uphill to the well-bunkered green.

 

18th　Par 5　558 yards (3)

18th　Par 5　558 yards (2)

18th　Par 5　558 yards (1)
　
Hole 19

It is a 40 minutes drive both from Chiang Mai and Chiang Mai International Airport. I could choose freely the tees to play from.

Lee Schmidt & Brian Curley have designed the other courses in Asia: Siam CC - Old Course (re-design) & Plantation Course, Muang Kaew GC (re-design), Amata Spring CC in Thailand, Grande Hamanako GC in Japan, and Agile G&CC – B Course in China.

Lee Schmidt worked for Pete Dye for seven years as an assistant and then several years as Senior Design Associate for Nicklaus Design with extensive international experience. Lee Schmidt & Brian Curley’s joint designs with Jack Nicklaus are Spring City (春城) G&LR – Mountain Course, Chung Shan Hot Spring (中山温泉) GC – Jack Nicklaus Course in China, Ishioka GC, Rokkou Kokusai GC (remodelled), The Tradition GC, President GC, Sanyo GC (remodelled), New Capital GG, Sun Belgravia GC, Bear Paws Japan GC in Japan, Sungai Long CC in Malaysia, and Springfield Royal CC in Thailand. Also, they are joint designers of 8 out of 10 courses at Mission Hills GG, the largest golf complex in the world, such as the Faldo Course or Ozaki Course.