Golf Courses in Chiang Mai: Mountain Courses, Green Fees & Tee Times (2026)

The first thing you notice on a December morning at Chiang Mai Highlands is the temperature. It’s 18°C. You might actually need a jacket on the first tee. After the sticky heat of Bangkok or the coast, the cool mountain air feels like a reward — and it stays comfortable for all 18 holes.

Chiang Mai has 10 golf courses, all within an hour of the city, with green fees from $79 to $174 including caddy and cart. Almost every course doubles as a resort. This isn’t a city where you squeeze in a round between meetings — it’s where you come to play three or four courses over several days, stay on-site, and walk the fairways at a pace that actually lets you appreciate the mountain backdrops behind every green.

The designers are worth noting: Schmidt-Curley (the firm behind Mission Hills and Siam Country Club), Denis Griffiths (who also designed Thai Country Club in Bangkok, where Tiger Woods won), Ron M. Garl (200+ courses worldwide), and Peter Thomson (five-time Open Champion). Northern Thailand’s golf is more quietly accomplished than most visitors expect.

All prices are in USD, pulled from live booking listings as of March 2026, and are subject to change.

At a Glance

Prices from live booking listings, March 2026. Inclusions vary by club — confirm at checkout.

The Mountain Difference: Why Golfers Choose Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai sits roughly 300 meters above sea level — enough to change how golf feels compared to Bangkok or the Thai coast.

The air is thinner, which means your ball flies 2–5% farther than at sea level. During the dry season, fairways are firmer and faster, adding roll you won’t get on the softer coastal courses. Morning dew burns off quickly at elevation, so early tee times play drier than you’d expect. And the temperature — daytime highs of 20–28°C in peak season, dropping to 12–15°C at dawn — means walking 18 holes is genuinely comfortable, something that’s borderline punishing in Bangkok’s heat.

It’s a different rhythm of golf. Quieter. More scenic. The kind of round where you actually look up between shots.

When to Play: Chiang Mai’s Seasons

Cool season (November – February) is when Chiang Mai earns its reputation. Daytime temperatures hover around 20–28°C, mornings are crisp enough for a light layer, and the courses are in peak condition. This is the high season — book 2–3 weeks ahead, especially for Highlands and Summit Green Valley.

Hot season (March – May) is warmer (30–35°C) but still meaningfully more comfortable than Bangkok in the same months. Fewer crowds, moderate pricing, and perfectly playable if you tee off early.

Rainy season (June – October) follows the same pattern as the rest of Thailand: afternoon showers with clear mornings. Courses are lush, prices are lower, and morning rounds are rarely disrupted.

Burning season warning: Late February through March can bring haze from agricultural burning in the surrounding region. Air quality can spike significantly — enough to make outdoor activity unpleasant on bad days. Check IQAir before you finalize a trip during this window. Early February or late March are generally safer.

Chiang Mai Golf Courses You Can Book Online

Ten courses is manageable enough to give each one proper attention. Rather than sorting purely by price, they’re grouped here by what kind of experience they deliver — because with only 10 options, the character of the course matters more than a $20 difference in green fees.

Championship Courses

These are the courses that put Chiang Mai on the golf map. If you’re making the trip specifically for golf, start here.

Chiang Mai Highlands Golf Resort — $159
The course most rankings place at the top of northern Thailand, and with reason. Designed by Schmidt-Curley — the same firm behind Mission Hills and Amata Spring — Highlands runs through mountain terrain at genuine elevation, with routing that works the natural contours rather than fighting them. Three nines totaling 27 holes, with the main 18 stretching around 7,000 yards.

Named “Best New Golf Course in Asia” and “Best Value for Money in Asia” by Asian Golf Monthly. The elevation changes create varied shot values — uphill approaches that demand an extra club, downhill par 3s where the green sits below you with mountains behind it. The resort on-site makes this a natural base for a stay-and-play trip.

Alpine Golf Resort Chiang Mai — $133
Set in a valley ringed by mountains, Alpine has an Asian Tour pedigree and the conditioning to match. Designed by Ron M. Garl with local architect Pirapon Namatra, the course stretches to roughly 7,500 yards across 27 holes — serious length that rewards ball-striking. The valley setting means less wind than you’d expect at altitude, but the mountain framing on every hole gives the visual impression of playing somewhere far more remote than 40 minutes from the city.

Alpine has hosted professional events and consistently wins course-of-the-year awards in Thailand. The resort accommodation is well-integrated — you can walk from your room to the first tee.

Summit Green Valley Chiang Mai — $174
The most expensive round in Chiang Mai, and the one with the deepest history. Designed by Denis Griffiths — the same architect behind Thai Country Club in Bangkok, where Tiger Woods won the 1997 Asian Honda Classic — Summit Green Valley has been operating since 1990 and carries the local nickname “Queen of Chiang Mai Golf Courses.”

At 7,202 yards with a classic championship parkland layout, this is the most traditional design on the list. The conditioning reflects decades of maturation — established trees, settled fairways, greens that read true. Night golf is available here. The green fee is at the top of Chiang Mai’s range, but it’s still less than a mid-range round in Shanghai.

Scenic & Atmosphere Courses

These courses won’t appear on many championship rankings, but they offer something the top-tier courses can’t: settings that make the golf feel secondary to the experience of being there.

Gassan Khuntan Golf & Resort — $101
The most atmospheric course in Chiang Mai — and arguably in all of Thailand. Gassan Khuntan sits in Doi Khuntan National Park, with routing that weaves between mountain ridges and a historic railway bridge visible from several holes. 27 holes across the property (18 for a standard round), with the national park setting providing a backdrop that’s genuinely hard to describe without hyperbole.

At $101, this is the course to prioritize if you care more about the setting than the scoring. The mountain framing is extraordinary. The resort on-site means you can extend the experience overnight in the national park.

Gassan Panorama Golf Club — $115
Lake-centric design with water in play on most holes. The name is apt — the panoramic views across the lake give the course an open, spacious feel that contrasts with the jungle-framed corridors of Khuntan or Highlands. At 7,072 yards, it has enough length to test you, but the visual appeal is the main draw. Around 45 minutes from the city.

The Royal Chiang Mai Golf Resort — $85
Designed by Peter Thomson (five-time Open Champion), Royal Chiang Mai has a distinctly British parkland character — unusual for northern Thailand. The routing feels classical, with defined fairways, strategic bunkering, and a layout that rewards patience over power. At 6,969 yards and $85, it’s the most affordable course on this list with genuine designer credentials. About an hour from the city, making it better suited to an overnight stay-and-play than a day trip.

Value & Relaxed Rounds

Not every round needs to be a championship test. These courses deliver solid golf in comfortable settings, with lower green fees and an unhurried pace.

North Hill Golf Resort — $79
The closest course to Chiang Mai city center and airport — about 20 minutes from both. A modern layout with views of Doi Suthep, the iconic mountain that dominates the city’s western skyline. At 6,241 yards, it’s the shortest course on this list, which makes it a good fit for a first-day round when you’re still adjusting to the altitude and time zone. Night golf available.

Artitaya Chiang Mai Golf Resort — $93
Formerly Gold Canyon, Artitaya is a rural escape in Lamphun province, about 50 minutes from the city. Designed by Thai architect Seni Thirawat, the course stretches to approximately 7,329 yards through a quiet, pastoral landscape with orchards and rice fields in the distance. The further drive keeps this one quieter and less crowded than courses closer to town.

Maejo Golf Resort & Spa — $123
A relaxed parkland layout through orchards and gardens, also designed by Seni Thirawat. The spa and resort facilities make Maejo more about the stay-and-play experience than the golf itself. At 6,730 yards, it’s a comfortable length that won’t exhaust you. About 30 minutes from the city.

Gassan Legacy Golf Club — $129
The most challenging course in the value tier. Renovated by Schmidt-Curley Design in 2014, Gassan Legacy puts water in play on every hole — an unusual commitment to a single design theme. The risk-reward decisions are constant: how much water are you willing to carry, and how much fairway are you willing to give up to avoid it? At 6,665 yards, the yardage is manageable, but the water makes every approach feel longer. About 30 minutes from the city.

Stay & Play: Chiang Mai’s Golf Resorts

This is what separates Chiang Mai from Bangkok or Shanghai. Almost every course on this list has resort accommodation on-site or immediately adjacent, which means you can build a golf trip without daily commutes, taxi negotiations, or traffic stress.

The standout stay-and-play options:
Chiang Mai Highlands has a well-regarded resort directly on the property — the most popular choice for dedicated golf visitors. Alpine Golf Resort offers the same setup with rooms walking distance from the first tee. Gassan Khuntan turns the stay into a destination: sleeping in a national park setting and waking up to mountain views before your morning round.

Summit Green Valley and North Hill are close enough to the city that you could stay in town and drive out, but both offer on-site accommodation if you prefer the resort experience. Maejo leans heavily into the resort side with its spa and gardens — more relaxation-oriented than golf-focused.

For golfers planning a 3–5 day trip, the practical play is to base yourself at one resort and day-trip to others. Highlands or Alpine as a base, with rounds at Khuntan and Summit Green Valley, covers the range of what Chiang Mai golf has to offer.

What Your Green Fee Covers

Chiang Mai’s green fee structure is straightforward: green fee, golf cart, and caddy are included at most courses. The cart is typically one per person (not shared), which is a nice touch.

Caddy tips are not included — budget THB 300–400 ($8–11) in cash, paid at the end of your round. The caddy system is the same as Bangkok: experienced, mostly female, skilled at reading greens and suggesting clubs.

Rental clubs are available at most courses, with quality varying from adequate to good. If you’re particular about your equipment, bring your own or rent in the city.

Before You Book

Booking timing: Peak season (November–February) fills up, particularly at Highlands and Summit Green Valley. Book 2–3 weeks ahead. Rainy season rarely requires more than a few days’ notice.

Getting to courses: Most courses are 20–60 minutes from the city. Grab works well in Chiang Mai. Many resorts offer transfer packages — worth asking when you book your stay. Songtaew (shared red pickup taxis) are cheap for getting around the city but not practical for reaching distant courses.

Dress code: Standard golf attire. Chiang Mai courses are slightly more relaxed than Bangkok’s premium clubs, but collared shirts and golf shoes are expected everywhere.

Elevation tips: Your ball will fly slightly farther at Chiang Mai’s altitude. If you’re dialing in distances on approach shots, club down and trust the extra carry. Morning rounds in cool season may benefit from a warm-up layer you can shed by the third hole.

Burning season (February–March): Check IQAir Chiang Mai before finalizing travel during this window. On bad days, the haze from agricultural burning is enough to make 18 holes uncomfortable. Early February and late March are generally safer bets.

Beyond the course: Between rounds, Chiang Mai’s Old City, Doi Suthep temple, and the Night Bazaar are easy to reach. Thai cooking classes, the Elephant Nature Park, and the Night Safari are all within day-trip range. Chiang Mai is one of the few golf destinations where the off-course experiences are genuinely as memorable as the golf itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to play golf in Chiang Mai?
Green fees range from $79 to $174 for the 10 courses bookable online. Most include green fee, caddy, and cart. Budget an additional $8–11 for caddy tip and $10–20 for transport from the city.

What is the best golf course in Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai Highlands and Alpine Golf Resort are the top two by most rankings and awards. Highlands is the more acclaimed; Alpine has Asian Tour pedigree. Summit Green Valley is the classic choice with the deepest history.

When is the best time for golf in Chiang Mai?
November–February for the best weather — cool mornings (15–20°C), clear skies, and peak course conditions. June–October for lower prices and lush conditions. Avoid late February–March if air quality concerns you (burning season).

Do Chiang Mai golf courses have accommodation?
Most do. Chiang Mai is a stay-and-play destination — Highlands, Alpine, Khuntan, Maejo, North Hill, and several others have resort accommodation on-site or adjacent. It’s the easiest way to build a multi-day golf trip.

How far are the courses from Chiang Mai city?
The closest is North Hill (15 km, about 20 minutes from the airport). The farthest is Gassan Khuntan (60 km, about 60 minutes). All 10 courses are within an hour of the city center.

How many golf courses are in Chiang Mai?
About 10 within an hour of the city, all bookable online with confirmed pricing. There are a few additional courses in the broader northern Thailand region, but these 10 make up the accessible Chiang Mai golf scene.

Book Your Tee Time

Ready to play? Browse all 10 Chiang Mai courses and reserve directly:

→ Chiang Mai Golf Courses on Tiger Booking — Real-time availability, confirmed pricing, instant booking.

Where to Stay in Chiang Mai

If you’d rather stay in the city and drive out to courses — or want a base between golf days for exploring — Chiang Mai’s hotels range from boutique Old City guesthouses to international chains near the airport:

→ ChiangMaiHotels.com

Prices shown are from live booking listings (March 2026). Green fees and inclusions are subject to change — always confirm at checkout.