Red Mountain

Tambon Kathu, Chang Wat Phuket

Rankings

Address119 Vichitsongkram Rd, Tambon Kathu, Amphoe Kathu, Chang Wat Phuket 83120, Thailand

Operated by the MBK Group, a Thai conglomerate that specialises in hotels, shopping centres and other real estate developments, the mountain course at Red Mountain Golf Club is an exhilarating test of golf that was one of the first projects undertaken by the Morrow Tikkanen design company in 2004.

Situated in the heart of Phuket, next door to another MBK course called Loch Palm, the fairways at Red Mountain twist through the site of an old tin mine, with holes routed to take full advantage of dramatic rocky escarpments, thrilling elevation changes and deep flooded ravines.

Particular care was taken during construction to provide adequate drainage, ensuring the course remains in play even after heavy rainy season cloudbursts. With many of the holes literally carved from the native jungle vegetation, one or two of the fairways are tight in places so course management is all-important here.

Feature holes include the par five 2nd (where the fairway narrows as it swings right towards a hidden green), the short par four 8th (which has water lying in wait on either side of the fairway) and the simply stunning par three 17th, played from a tee box perched 150 feet above the green.