Gassan Panaorama Golf Club

Gassan Panorama Golf Club (formerly known as Gassan Marina) is home to the third of a challenging triumvirate of Gassan courses, developed in the mid-2000s to the southeast of Chiang Mai, in the province of Lamphun. All three are designed by Gassan's owner Pravit Raeng-Po, and all three bring water into play to a very considerable extent.

Gassan Panorama is, to say the least, distinctive. It stretches to well over 7,600 yards, and was completed in 2006 as one of the longest courses in Thailand. In contrast to any layouts that have gone before (or perhaps since), the holes are geometrically positioned on either side of large ornamental lakes. The result conjures up the feel of a creatively contrived golf-and-lake garden, laid out behind an opulent palatial clubhouse ( ... inspired by the Palace of Versailles perhaps?).

The 18 parallel running holes are separated by expansive water features. Virtually every green is encircled by, fronted by or flanked by water. Add in a raft of kidney-shaped bunkers, and you have one of Thailand's most original, distinctive and challenging golfing layouts.

The course does not have any par 5s, instead there are four par 6s, each one making a significant contribution to the layout's overall length. What the great Harry Colt would say about all this, especially the unrelenting presence of water, and five-ball play welcomed on weekdays and weekends, is probably unprintable!

Stay&Play at Gassan Panorama: onsite accommodation available, see Where2Stay section below.