The 15th hole at Chee Chan Golf Resort in Pattaya, Thailand is one of the best risk-reward holes in Thailand. Playing under the shadow of Chee Chan Mountain, the 15th is a par 4 measuring 340 yard from the back tees, but a very tantalizing 295 yards from the white tees. The hole is doglegged, so the actual direct yardage is even shorter, giving some golfers a chance to go after the green in one – but beware of the lurking bunkers that are in the landing area should one fall short!
The tee shot is relatively straight forward. The hole plays slightly up hill and there are two options when it comes to the tee shot – Either lay up into the landing area to give a short but manageable approach, or get out the big stick and try to fly it over the bunkers and get on in one. Score, match requirements, ability will all come into the picture when sizing up this tee shot. If a golfer is to lay up, anything from a 6 iron to hybrid will suffice.
If a golfer has laid up, it will leave about 100 yards or less into the green. The green is above the ball so it won’t be possible to see the cup, but the top half of the flag stick will be visible. It’s important to trust the yardage your caddie has given, pick the right club, and hit a solid shot in. If a golfer has gone for it but has come up short, trouble awaits! The bunkers guarding the front of the green and the area inside 100 yards to the hole are deep, and it takes a good shot to get out. Depending on what bunker the ball lands in, a 85 yard pitch out of a 10 foot deep bunker could await – not ideal when looking to take advantage of a short hole!
The green slopes back to front, and it’s always advisable to be below the hole at Chee Chan. Leaving an uphill putt should give a good shot at a birdie (or even an eagle if a blinder is hit off the tee!). However, a 2 putt and a par is a good score, especially if the other golfers in the group have been penalized by those bunkers and walk off with a larger number.
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All Holes in the Series
1. Hole 9B at Springfield Royal in Hua Hin, Thailand
2. Hole 18 at Nikanti Golf Club in Bangkok, Thailand
3. Hole 16 at Sea Pines Golf Course in Hua Hin, Thailand
4. Hole 5 on Sugar Cane at Siam Country Club – Plantation Course in Pattaya, Thailand
5. Hole 15 at Banyan Golf Club in Hua Hin, Thailand
6. Hole 8 at Red Mountain Golf Club in Phuket, Thailand
7. Hole 11 at Black Mountain Golf Club in Hua Hin, Thailand
8. Hole 15 at Chee Chan Golf Resort in Pattaya, Thailand
9. Hole 16 at Subhapruek Golf Club in Bangkok, Thailand
10. Hole 18 at Blue Canyon Country Club, Lakes Course in Phuket, Thailand
11. Hole 4B at Chiang Mai Highlands Golf and Spa Resort in Chiang Mai, Thailand
12. Hole 8 at Riverdale Golf Club in Bangkok, Thailand
13. Hole 18 at Siam Country Club Old Course in Pattaya, Thailand
14. Hole 1 at Alpine Golf & Sports Club in Bangkok, Thailand
15. Hole 10 at Katathong Golf Resort & Spa in Phang Nga, Thailand
16. Hole 10 at Grand Prix Golf Club in Kanchanaburi, Thailand
17. Hole 14 at Blue Canyon Country Club, Canyon Course in Phuket, Thailand