Must-Play Golf Course in Thailand: Riverdale Golf Club

Thailand—A Leisure Travel Paradise, with many high-cost-performance golf courses featuring professional championship-level difficulty designs, but at relatively affordable prices. This allows golf enthusiasts to enjoy their game with ease and conquer the course. ThaiGoodNet collaborates with Kiwitour Trade Company to recommend golf course information and provide related services.

Must-Play Golf Courses in Thailand: 13

Riverdale Golf Club

Riverdale Golf Club (ริเวอร์เดล กอล์ฟ คลับ) is one of Asia’s top 100 golf courses and one of Bangkok’s premier golf courses. The fairways and greens are well-maintained, with gentle slopes, large lakes, and hills, making it a fun and well-conditioned golf course.

Designed by Masters to Match the Terrain

The course is located in the Bang Kradi district of Pathum Thani Province, covering 18 holes, par 72, and spanning 360 Rai. It opened in 2010 and was designed by Welsh architects Jonathan Morrow and Al Tikkanen. They created this unique golf course in a valley deep within the historic Chao Phraya River Delta, utilizing the mountainous terrain, making it a groundbreaking design in the otherwise flat golf courses of Bangkok.

Featuring the "Up Hill, Down Dale" concept, it offers a thoughtfully designed challenge. In some areas, the terrain has been excavated 30 meters deep to create water hazards, while the slopes of most holes are raised with additional soil. The elevated tee boxes and undulating fairways give players the feeling of playing golf on a mountain, offering an unparalleled golfing challenge, perfect competition conditions, and five-star service seven days a week.

Intelligent Test of Elevation Changes

The course takes full advantage of the elevation changes to increase the challenge and fun of choosing intelligent routes. At first glance, Riverdale may not seem like the most challenging golf course, but this is all an illusion.

The course features several large and small lakes, which have been dredged to form surrounding hills that make up most of the holes. From the tee boxes to the undulating downhill fairways, numerous reed-filled lakes, elevated greens, outstanding bunkers, and large hills break up the typical layout, creating challenges and great charm, presenting an intelligent test to the players.

Riverdale uses Salam Paspalum grass on the fairways and tees, while MiniVerde Ultradwarf grass is used on the greens, ensuring the course can be played year-round.

Iconic Holes: 16 and 6

The toughest hole on the course is Hole 16, a par 4 with a maximum length of 432 yards. Its design includes an interesting challenge with “uphill and downhill” features, trees, and bushes creating a very engaging layout. The undulating fairways and excellent bunkers are unprecedented on Bangkok’s flat golf courses.

Another popular hole is Hole 6, a par 5 with a tee shot that can stretch over 600 yards. Large sand bunkers are one of Riverdale’s distinctive features, and Hole 6 has the largest bunker on the course. The elevated tee box features a slight dogleg to the right, with a massive bunker and some bushes, so you’ll need nearly perfect shots on the first two strokes to have a chance at doing well on the final three shots.

Hole 8’s Fun Dual Greens

For many players, the most fun and exciting hole is Hole 8, a par 3 with two greens. The longer one is 182 yards, and the shorter one is 152 yards. The long hole is slightly uphill and straight, while the short hole is downhill, with water surrounding the green. You can choose which hole to play, but it has to be played by the entire group. Many people opt for the challenge of the short hole—a narrow island green where you must land the ball on the green, or it will end up in the water, resulting in a penalty stroke. Each shot brings its own challenge, making this hole an iconic feature of the course!

Insider Tips

Experienced players often suggest starting with the back 9. The undulating fairways and strategically placed lakes add difficulty, but players can also enjoy the elegant river valley views while playing.

Then, at the end of the round, play the best 3 holes (holes 6, 7, 8). Before this, you might have faced some setbacks. If not, save some energy for these great "finishing" holes to end the round on a high note.

Elegant and Luxurious Clubhouse Facilities

Created by the MBK Group, the modern-style clubhouse is high-end and luxurious, with a welcoming staff and elegant lounges offering first-class facilities typical of a five-star private members' club.

After completing 18 holes, enjoy the luxurious locker rooms and a full-service restaurant offering international cuisine, overlooking the stunning views of the 10th and 18th holes, making this golfing experience even more special.

Exclusive Discounts for Golfers

Golf enthusiasts interested in playing at Riverdale Golf Club can contact Chiwei Travel and Trade Co. (Kamthon C. - phone: 0894458878; or Line: arhone, WeChat: arhonechen52) for even better pricing than the official fees, along with transportation services, accommodation bookings, and nearby tours.