Loch Palm Golf Club ☆ Follow

Loch Palm Golf Club is an 18-hole, par 71 course located in the Kathu district of Phuket, Thailand. Situated just ten minutes from Phuket Town and Patong Beach, the layout is owned and managed by MBK Public Co. Ltd. The course was significantly redesigned and renovated in late 2019 by renowned architect Jon Morrow, who also designed the neighboring Red Mountain Golf Club. The total yardage from the Blue Tees is 5,991 yards, a length that provides a manageable challenge for golfers of all abilities while maintaining strategic depth. The setting is defined by the Crystal Lake, a 48-acre body of water quarried during the island’s tin mining era, which is the largest of its kind in Phuket. The front nine meanders alongside this lake, with water coming into play on the first three holes and continuing to feature prominently on ten holes throughout the round. The fairways are lined with over 1,000 palm trees and Zoysia grass, creating a tranquil atmosphere that contrasts with the strategic hazards. The back nine transitions into mountainous terrain and forested hills, introducing tricky downhill shots and undulating lies that require precise short-iron play. Accuracy is paramount at Loch Palm, as wayward shots are frequently punished by water or out-of-bounds areas. The course features a variety of green complexes, including two-tiered surfaces and narrow, elongated putting areas that demand distance control. The 15th hole is a standout par 3, playing 161 yards from the back tee but dropping 100 feet in elevation to a large, undulating green guarded by water on all sides and a long beach bunker. The 12th hole presents a different test as a straightaway par 5 with out-of-bounds flanking both sides of the fairway, requiring a long drive to carry a creek for the second shot. The course is designed to be played in approximately three hours, a pace encouraged during the cooler early morning or late afternoon slots. The Colonial-style clubhouse offers modern facilities, including a practice chipping and putting green and an aqua driving range. While the layout is often described as relaxing due to its scenic backdrop of jungle-covered mountains and palm-lined fairways, the tight routing and water hazards ensure it remains a competitive test for local residents and visiting golfers alike.