Phuket is an international golfing destination which can stand comparison with any similar resort worldwide. The island’s courses offer an eclectic range of stunning views over lake, sea and forested hills; peaceful greens with spectacular cliffs in the background. Whether you’re a resident weekend 18-handicapper, a visitor on holiday or Tiger Woods, you will want to come back and play these wonderful courses again.

The days when a golf course was the exclusive reserve of men, has long since past. Ladies, teenagers and even children now play regularly and all ages up to seniors have their own competitions. As a result the sale of clubs, apparel and equipment has become intensely competitive and the products come in a huge variety of designs, qualities and colours - including, for the ladies - even pink.

Golf clubs
Many of our par fours and fives are impressive, even formidable so the secret of success is a good length and accuracy of the tee. This depends on selecting a driver with which you feel comfortable. The other consideration of course is the quality of your swing. The low-handicap players with a reliable game should use a club with a steel shaft. For ladies and youngsters looking for a few more yards, we recommend a club with a graphite shaft, which is lighter.

Spot on Grip
The only part of the club with which the player comes into contact is the grip, so it becomes a key interface for the translation of thought into action. Your coach will apply a grip which suits the size of your hand but these days there is quite a bit of science in how to set up grips in a way which will reinforce muscle memory and swing grooving. For example, the grip should promote a square stance for woods, or alternatively, an open stance for sand wedges.

Club Head Cover
The head cover has always been an essential item to protect the club from accidental damage, rust and weathering. Of late, these covers have become fashion accessories in a range of colours, shapes and sizes and now feature funky cartoon characters and other mascots.

Golf balls
Many casual golfers don’t know that the choice of ball construction can be used to optimize the characteristics of their game. Here’s the lowdown:

Two piece ball
Known as the distance ball, it will suit people who don't have experience with adding length. These balls are becoming softer and are giving golfers with slower swing speeds more distance than ever before.

Three-piece ball
This construction is used by the low- to mid-handicapper as well as the pros. It has a soft yet durable urethane cover, a thin mantle or middle layer and a rubber inner core. The ball has a good soft feel, responds well to spin and puts really well. It delivers good distance. These balls are a little more expensive and will suit people with faster club head speeds.

Four-piece ball
These have the same basic makeup as the three-piece balls but also have a second firm mantle layer. This transfers extra energy at impact into the core for a longer, lower trajectory. The balls are made for players with exceptionally high club head speed.

Digital Score Counter / Pedometer
This neat little gadget is invaluable and we guarantee that if you start using one it will rapidly become indispensable. All you have to do is to calibrate the unit to your stride length slip it in your pocket and then the little computer will keep track of every step, every yard and every mile on and off the course. It can record the score simply and thereafter calculates a range of statistics to analyse your performance over the whole eighteen holes.

We hope that this small survey has given you some ideas on improving your game, your score and your playing image. Fore!

Products are available at
Sport Mania Golfing to Perfection,
Kathu Tel: 0 7620 3305 Contact: Khun Janya Sapreuk (Khun Ya)

Gift & Golf
183/31-32 City Park Building, Phang Nga Rd. Muang, Phuket
Tel: 0 7623 3268 Mobile: 08 1691 3940

Phuket Triple R Golf
231/3 Yaowarat Rd. Talad-Nue Muang Phuket
Tel: 0 76258 3137 Mobile: 08 7385 5788