Sea Pines Golf Course is the newest arrival on the Hua Hin golfing scene and the only course with holes that run right beside the beach. We highly recommend this course which is in excellent condition. The course is run by the Thai Army, so the service is not as slick as some of the other courses in the area.

Being virtually right on the beach, Sea Pines Golf Course is a in a stunning location and the finishing holes are particularly memorable as they are right beside the beach. The course is divided into two with holes on the other side of the railway track and offers many different challenges and will provide great enjoyment for low and high handicappers.

The prevailing wind has a dramatic effect on the way the course plays and when it blows it can be difficult. Being close to the beach there are very few elevation changes and the course is pretty flat. To make up for this the designers have added plenty of water hazards and there are only two holes on each nine where water does not come into play.

The opening two holes are quite straightforward but things get interesting as you stand on the third tee box which is a par-5 with a carry over water off the tee and a water hazard all along the left side. Bunkers lie in wait for your second and then it’s a daunting carry over water to the green. The 4th is another dog-leg and if you get greedy and try to cut off too much then you can end up in the trees with no hope of reaching the green. The 7th is another tricky dog-leg with a huge bunker protecting the direct route to the fairway and if you get out of position with your second then you can get blocked out by a larger tree beside the green. The 9th is a great hole shaped like a banana and big hitters can go straight over the water but if you choose to play safe it’s difficult to avoid the bunker at the far side of the fairway. The approach is over more water to a sharply sloping green and if you over club then you will pace a fast-downhill putt.

Most of the memorable holes come on the back nine at Sea Pines Golf Course and the par-5 12th is difficult dogleg with water along one side and cleverly positioned fairway bunkers waiting to catch a wayward drive. If you don’t get a good position off the tee then you will be forced to lay up.

The three signature holes are the last three on the course and this closing stretch beside the beach starts with the dog-leg par-5 16th and you need to drive to the left side of the fairway to avoid the water along the right. The next shot is crucial because the approach is very difficult and a good position is essential if you intend to play over the water and bunker to the sloping green. The 17th is a very pretty and seemingly innocuous par-3 but you have to play over water to a green very well protected by bunkers and when the wind is blowing club selection can be a lottery.

The final hole is a very challenging par-4 with a long carry over a canal to the fairway but the shorter hitter may choose to lay up and play into the green with a longer club.

The restaurant with its terrace overlooking the sea is a great place to relax and discuss your round over a beer or two. The course is run by the Thai Army so the service is not as slick as some of the other courses in the area.