🧍♂️ Traveller:
Can you actually play golf alone in Pattaya?
🧍♀️ Local Friend:
Sure you can — just book at a sports bar!
🧍♂️ Traveller:
Wait, you can book a round by yourself at a sports bar?
🧍♀️ Local Friend:
Yep! That’s one of the great things about golfing in Pattaya.
Not every sports bar does it, but some of the popular ones do.
🧍♂️ Traveller:
Sounds awesome! How do I book it?
🧍♀️ Local Friend:
No worries — I’ll explain step by step.
Stick around and keep reading!
Why Sports Bars Are a Must for Golfers in Pattaya
Pattaya is known for its unique ”sports bars”, which you won’t easily find in other tourist spots.
Sports bars are recommended for the following three reasons
Here’s why:
1️⃣ It’s Easy to Book a Round as a Solo Golfer
2️⃣ Lower overall golf costs, including transfers.
3️⃣ You’ll meet people from all over the world.
When I golf in Pattaya, I always use sports bars to book my tee time.
Let me explain three reasons.
But first.
Before we get into more details, let’s quickly cover what a “sports bar” is like in Pattaya.
About “Sports Bars” in Pattaya
↑ Sports bar (Witherspoons) in Soi Buakhao.
At first glance, a sports bar here looks like a casual restaurant or open café. But the vibe is different — they’re decked out with multiple large TV screens showing football, golf, and other matches, and often serve breakfast and drinks all day.
More importantly, they act as informal golf booking hubs.
Most of the golf reception desks are located inside or connected to these bars, which can be confusing at first but super convenient once you know how it works.
I have given you a brief description of the “sports bar” in Pattaya.
🧍♂️ Traveller:
When I first visited “sports bar” in Pattaya, I had no idea where to book my golf rounds.
🧍♀️ Local Friend:
Yeah — because the reception’s usually inside the sports bar itself!
Once you get the hang of it, it’s a laid-back, traveler-friendly system. Many people find it confusing at first, but it quickly becomes second nature.Because the reception is almost always inside the restaurant.
Now that you know how it works, let’s break down the following three reasons why a sports bar is the best option for solo golfers (and other travelers looking to enjoy a round of golf) in Pattaya.
We will explain each of these reasons in order.
1️⃣ It’s Easy to Book a Round as a Solo Golfer
2️⃣ Lower overall golf costs, including transfers.
3️⃣ You’ll meet people from all over the world.
1️⃣ It’s Easy to Book a Round as a Solo Golfer
Many travelers assume it’s difficult to book a round of golf, especially when you’re playing solo.
On most travel websites, golf packages are usually designed for groups of three or four, and prices can be higher if you don’t have a full group.
But don’t worry — in Pattaya, sports bars that offer golf bookings make it simple for solo players.
When you play, you’ll be grouped with other golfers based on the day’s booking status, and the sports bar staff will take care of organizing the groups. So there’s no need to look for playing partners at the time of booking.
Here’s a quick look at how the booking process works
Typical Flow for Booking and Playing Golf via a Sports Bar in Pattaya
(It lists the golf courses, departure times from the bar, tee-off times, and other important details.)
(At this point, you might also be asked to pay the transportation fee in advance.)
(Some people arrive earlier to enjoy breakfast and relax before heading to the course.)
１、Some sports bars offer golf bag storage services.
For example, the sports bar I often use — Witherspoons — has both free and paid options. The paid service offers designated storage spaces, and last time I checked, it was about 4,000 baht per year. (Please check the latest info when you’re there.)
２、 Try to arrive at the bar at least 30 minutes before departure.
You’ll need time to check the group list and load your golf bag. Many people get there early to enjoy a relaxed breakfast too.
2️⃣ Lower overall golf costs, including transfers.
Why Golfing via a Sports Bar in Pattaya Is Cheaper and Easier Than You’d Think
Let’s talk about one of the biggest reasons why people choose to book their golf rounds through sports bars in Pattaya — it’s simply cheaper and hassle-free.
What’s Included in a Golf Booking?
Before we dive into the prices, here’s a quick rundown of the typical costs when booking a round of golf in Pattaya:
Transport: Round-trip transfer between the sports bar and golf course (usually a minivan)
Green Fee (GF): The actual fee to play a round of golf
Caddy Fee (CF): Each player is assigned a caddy (this is mandatory in Thailand)
Cart Fee (C): The fee for your golf cart (normally one per player)
The total cost is basically the sum of these four. Caddy tips are extra and usually paid directly after your round.
Now — the Caddy Fee and Cart Fee are fixed costs set by the golf courses themselves. It doesn’t matter whether you book through a sports bar, a travel agent, or directly with the course — these prices rarely change.
For reference:
- Caddy Fee: About 350 THB
- Cart Fee: About 700 THB
Amazingly, the price of the machine (cart) is about double what you pay for a human caddy. It’s really difficult to grasp, but I suppose it’s just another side of Thailand.
Why Sports Bar Bookings Are Cheaper
The reason it gets cheaper is simple — the transport and green fee parts.
１）You Bring Your Own Golf Clubs to the Bar
Unlike most travel agents or hotel concierge services that pick you up from your hotel, here you’ll need to bring your clubs to the sports bar yourself.
Sounds like a hassle?
It’s honestly not bad.
A few helpful points:
- Some sports bars, like Witherspoons, offer club storage services.
→ They have both free and paid storage options (the paid one is about 4000 THB/year but confirm locally). - Ride-hailing apps like Bolt make it super cheap and easy to get around Pattaya now.
→ A ride within Pattaya rarely exceeds 100 THB (around 400 JPY).
↑Example of golf bag storage at a sports bar in Pattaya.
A few years ago, people carried their golf bags on songthaews (shared pickup trucks) or even motorbikes — which, believe it or not, some locals still do. Not recommended though.
２）Green fees are discounted at PSC member rates.
Green fee means the basic fee you pay to play golf.
When you book a tee time through a sports bar in Pattaya, the green fees are often cheaper than the regular rates.
But to be clear — this discounted rate is actually the Pattaya Sports Club (PSC) member price, not a special deal offered by the sports bar itself.
Most golf bars in Pattaya have partnerships with the PSC and list prices based on the assumption that players are PSC members.
Technically, players should also be PSC members to get these rates. In reality, though, it’s not uncommon for non-members to play without any issues.
※ That said, recently some golf courses have started asking to see your PSC membership card at check-in. To avoid any hassle, I’d recommend joining the PSC. The annual fee is reasonable, you can get your official handicap managed, and you’ll enjoy other perks too — like discounts at driving ranges.
3️⃣ You’ll meet people from all over the world.
One of the coolest things about joining a golf outing in Pattaya is the chance to meet people from everywhere. Whether you’re traveling alone or just want to make new friends, these golf days are packed with people from different countries and backgrounds.
Most players gather at a sports bar early in the morning before heading to the course together in a shared minivan. It’s a laid-back and friendly atmosphere, and you’ll often find yourself chatting with people from the UK, Australia, the US, Europe, and sometimes even other parts of Asia.
The shared ride to the golf course is a great icebreaker too. You’ll swap travel stories, talk about your favorite golf courses, and maybe even make plans for a cold beer after the round. By the time you reach the first tee, it already feels like you’re golfing with friends.
It’s one of the reasons why golf in Pattaya is so popular among expats and travelers — it’s not just about the game; it’s about the people you meet along the way.
Unlocking Your Best Golf Experience in Pattaya!
We’ve covered how Pattaya offers incredible opportunities for golfers of all levels, especially those looking for a solo round or budget-friendly outings. Here’s a quick recap of why your next golf trip should be to Pattaya:
- Effortless Solo Bookings: Discover how simple it is to arrange a round even when you’re traveling alone.
- Smart Savings: Learn how to significantly cut down on golf and transfer expenses compared to private arrangements.
- Connect & Network: Embrace golf outings as a prime opportunity to meet and connect with a diverse community of golf enthusiasts.
- Beyond the Green: Remember, the fun doesn’t stop after the 18th hole! Our local sports bars are the perfect spot to unwind and share your game’s best moments.
Ready to tee off in Pattaya?
Explore our other guides for course reviews, booking tips, and local insights, or contact us to plan your personalized golf adventure!
