The first hole at Lotus Valley is the epitome of a good starting hole – scenic, but not too tough. What a great way to begin your round! (Photo by Robert S. Fagan)
The Lotus Valley Golf Resort (formerly known as World Trade Golf) is situated about an hour’s drive east of Bangkok. You would never just happen upon it if you didn’t have explicit directions to the facility. As such, however, its secluded location affords it a nice rural location with no housing, businesses, or noise anywhere near it. It’s peaceful and calming, and its golf course mirrors that ambiance.
The Gary Player organization built the course in 1998 and it has since been redesigned (reshaped and lengthened) in 2008 by Jon Morrow and Craig Bertram. The property is flat and the course designers made no overt effort to transform the land. Rather they left it pretty much alone with the exception of extensive “cuts and fills” where they dig out ground to form lakes and use the fill for mounding. Much as in the Florida style of golf courses, the shaping at Lotus Valley is gentle rather than stark mounding and bunkers are used liberally to establish the visual challenges.
Above is the view of the reception area out toward the golf course. (Photo by Robert S. Fagan)
As you enter the property, you are greeted by the modern, comfortable clubhouse with its many amenities and that feeling of quiet, comfortable, and peaceful ambiance extends right onto the golf course. From the tips, the golf course measures an ample 7,015 yards, hardly any pushover. It is, however, eminently playable, but water lurks off to the sides of many shots. There is a nice movement to the greens and enough bunkering to also get and keep your attention.
Speaking of attention, the first hole that particularly got mine was the 309-yard 5th hole. It is a risk-reward hole that is drivable for longer hitters, but features lots of bunkers and water to the left. The 208-yard 8th hole is another picturesque beauty over water to a putting surface positioned above some rockwork. Perhaps my favorite hole is the 340-yard tenth that winds around the water to the left. Positioning off the tee is critical and sets up a birdie provided you can negotiate the sharply sloped green.
The 10th hole as seen from behind the green looking back towards the fairway. The 14th green is shown off to the right. (Photo by Robert S. Fagan)
As you proceed around the golf course, you will enjoy the lushness of the green turf as well as the absence of noise or the busy Bangkok hustle and bustle. There is nothing too difficult about any one hole though you will enjoy a strong sense of satisfaction if you can par the 456-yard par-four 13th. And the 597-yard finishing hole is nothing to take for granted either. All in all, when you combine the nice peaceful ambiance, the artfully designed golf course, and the comfortable amenities, the Lotus Valley Golf Resort is a short trip worth the while!
Below is the approach to the par-five 18th hole at the Lotus Valley Golf Resort – a splendid finish! (Photo by Robert S. Fagan)
