ALL ASIA GOLF 

ALL ASIA GOLF GROUP
Royal Ratchaburi Golf Club critical Review
Royal Ratchaburi Golf Club
Snapshot
Location: Khao Raeng, Mueang Ratchaburi (between Kanchanaburi and Hua Hin)
Architect: Artanan Yomchinda (Thai)
Opened: Designed in late 1980s (1988 established; some records cite 1994 opening to play)
Spec: 18 holes, Par 72, ~6,785 yards from the back tees (6,204 m); ~6,032 yards from white tees
Setting & style: Mountain/parkland routing across two ridges with multiple lakes; a friendlier front nine, a tighter back nine.

Course pedigree & design intent
Royal Ratchaburi reflects Yomchinda preference for using natural slopes over heavy earthworks. The routing takes golfers around Khao Rang and Khao Chonglao, with several holes weaving past lakes fed by hillside runoff. Greens are cut into natural fall lines, rewarding control of spin and trajectory more than brute distance.

Routing, rhythm & shot values
Front nine: Generous landing areas but with uneven stances on approach shots. Club selection often needs half-club adjustments due to elevation changes.
Back nine: Tighter corridors and sharper doglegs demand accuracy from the tee. Sloping fairways often exaggerate misses.
Par 3s: The standout set—short, strategic, and nervy—often requiring full carries over ravines where short is not an option.

Holes to know

Risk–Reward Par 5s: Elevated second shots invite boldness but bring water and fall-away runoffs into play.
Short Par 4s: Placement over power is key—better to find the right slope than over-swing.
Signature Par 3s: Holes playing across canyons—hit the green or reload.

Greens, surrounds & grasses
Greens are typically firm, quick, and tilted, making it essential to finish below the hole. Surrounds are kept tight enough for bump-and-run shots or putter play. Exact turfgrass types vary, but presentation focuses on firmness and natural slopes rather than lush softness.


Conditioning & playability as of the 2nd of September 2025
Greens speed & trueness: Greens were in good condition, a lot of rain so not as quick as they would be under dryer conditions. Because of the staff ability to mow effectively they were a touch bumpy but held their line well

Fairway coverage & firmness: No carts on the fairway today so their had been a lot of recent rain, a lot of water under foot in places, but didn’t warrant no carts on the course, Royal Ratchaburi has some big par 4's and walking to your ball sometimes was a hundred yards away...

Bunker sand quality/consistency: One criticism was the bunkers which has a lot of stones which sometimes happens when lots of rain, the chances of getting a clean bunker shot without creating a lot of stone spray was rare, not fun

Rough height & density: The tough was savage in places but the staff were working on this, the ball did sit down in the grass making it hard to connect with hitting similar to a bunker shot...

Drainage after rain: All in All the course played well and despite the rain the ball did roll although as usual here in Thailand pins at the front, along with a heavily wet front makes it hard to get close to the pin unless you hit it perfect...unfortunately not in favor of this because good shots are penalized not by the course but by the Green staff who over water and drain the green at the front with no runoff...

Note: There are a lot of local monkeys, they are very active knocking stuff so keep headcovers wallets food, keys and shiny gear secured.

Practice, clubhouse & operations

Facilities are simple but sufficient: a driving range, locker rooms, restaurant, and cart hire. Many still choose to walk, but the hilly terrain provides a workout. The atmosphere is casual and unpretentious.

Access, pace & value

Just over an hour from Kanchanaburi, Royal Ratchaburi is a perfect link between River Kwai golf and Hua Hin trips. Tee times are generally accessible, and value-for-money is excellent compared to regional resort courses.

Who it suits?

-Golf travelers linking Hua Hin and Kanchanaburi
-Shot makers who enjoy using slopes and managing lies
-Value-seekers preferring design quality over luxury extras


Verdict — All Asia Golf
Royal Ratchaburi is a hidden gem—thoughtful routing, engaging short holes, and natural charm without over-shaping. The back nine tightens into a genuine test, while the par-3s provide drama and memorability. It’s not a resort with lavish facilities, but for pure golf at fair value, it’s a must-play—especially paired with Grand Prix or Dragon Hills on a River Kwai itinerary. All comments and assessments were made on the day and can vary from week to week depending on the weather and ground staff mood at any given time

Key Facts

Architect: Artanan Yomchinda

Established/Opened: 1988 design; 1994 opening

Par / Yardage: Par 72; ~6,785 yards from tips

Defining features: Mountain slopes, canyon par-3s, monkeys on course, tidy greens, no-frills facilities

Mountains in play: Khao Rang & Khao Chonglao