There is a particular frustration to golf in northern Europe between October and March. Frost holds, waterlogged fairways, three-ball waits in near-darkness, courses that close without notice. The equipment is the same, the swing is the same — but the experience is nothing like what the game is supposed to be. Southeast Asia solves this problem comprehensively, and has done for the thirty years we have been sending golfers there.
Thailand — the established choice
Thailand remains the most popular winter golf destination for European golfers, and for good reason. The November to April dry season delivers consistent sunshine across most of the country, with the north — Chiang Mai and its highland courses — running slightly cooler than the south. Phuket and Hua Hin are at their best from December through February. The courses are world-class, the caddies are exceptional, and the infrastructure for golf travel is mature and well-organised.
Vietnam — the growing alternative
Vietnam's central coast has a window that runs slightly later than Thailand's — February to August is best for Da Nang and Hoi An, which means it complements Thailand well as part of a broader Asia itinerary. Hoiana Shores and Ba Na Hills are genuinely exceptional courses, and the combination of coastal golf and Hoi An's cultural depth is one that rewards repeat visits. We send an increasing number of golfers here who have already played Thailand and are looking for something that surprises them.
Cambodia — the unexpected addition
Phokeethra in Siem Reap is chronically overlooked by golfers planning Asian trips, which is our gain and perhaps their loss. The dry season from November to April is ideal, the Nick Faldo-designed course is in excellent condition throughout, and combining a round or two at Phokeethra with the Angkor temples is one of the most memorable combinations available in golf travel. Very few itineraries can say they take you from a world-class championship course to a UNESCO World Heritage Site within the same afternoon.
How to sequence a winter golf trip
Many of our best winter golf itineraries combine two or three countries. Thailand for the main golf focus, Vietnam for coastal courses and cultural depth, Cambodia as a three-night addition that more than justifies itself. The logistics are straightforward — all three countries have strong air connections — and the variety of what you experience across a two-week trip is genuinely extraordinary. We build these sequences regularly and know which combinations work well and which ones feel like too much movement for too little time in each place.