Mike Orloff: Phuket’s Red Mountain Golf Club

Left: Songkiat Artorngit, right: Mike Orloff.

There are golf courses that test your swing, and then there are golf courses that entirely capture your imagination. During my recent trip to Thailand, I had the privilege of teeing it up at Red Mountain Golf Club in Phuket.

Owned and managed by MBK Public Co. Ltd., which also runs the neighboring Loch Palm Golf Club in Phuket, alongside two premium courses in the Pathum Thani Province near Bangkok, Red Mountain has earned a fierce local reputation. It is widely considered the most challenging course in Phuket, and it frequently finds itself voted among the absolute finest in all of Thailand.

After 18 holes of navigating its dramatic elevation changes, I can confidently say the praise is entirely justified.

Its not a long course but you do need to keep it on the fairway!

From the Ashes of a Tin Mine: Nature’s Renewal

What makes Red Mountain so visually arresting is its history. The entire course is sculpted directly into the rugged, rocky terrain left behind from Phuket’s old tin mining days. Where heavy machinery once tore into the earth, a magnificent raw canvas was left behind for course architect Jon Morrow to work his magic.

Instead of erasing the scars of the tin mine, the design embraces them. Over the decades, nature has staged an incredible intervention. The old mine landscape has transformed into a thriving haven for rare, exotic flora and wildlife. As you walk the fairways, you are surrounded by wild orchids, cascading exotic ferns, Indian rhododendrons, and Nepenthes (carnivorous pitcher plants).

It feels less like a traditional golf resort and more like playing through a stunning tropical garden. Ancient trees from the region’s virgin forest reach high into the clouds, and the jungle itself provides a constant, vibrant soundtrack. Phuket’s colorful species of birds and butterflies flutter across the fairways, and the club has even established dedicated ornithological trails to help bird watchers spot some of the region’s most distinctive species.

The Highlight: Surviving the Par-3 17th

Every great course has a signature moment that keeps you awake at night long after your trip is over. At Red Mountain, that moment hits you like a lightning bolt on the back nine.

We need to talk about the signature Par 3. Standing on the tee box, you are staring down a 200-meter shot featuring a truly dramatic, heart-stopping vertical drop.

The elevation change is so severe that it requires roughly a four-club drop just to account for gravity. You are essentially launching your ball off the edge of a cliff into a jungle below. The margin for error is thin, and watching your ball hang in the tropical air for what feels like an eternity is an absolute thrill. Whether you walk away with a birdie or a double-bogey, it’s a hole you will be talking about at the 19th hole for years to come.

First-Class Amenities: The Red Mountain Experience

A world-class course requires a world-class setup off the fairways, and MBK Golf has spared no expense here. The off-course experience seamlessly complements the drama of the layout.

Practice Facilities: Before tackling the rugged course, you can iron out the kinks at their premium 25-bay driving range. Reserved exclusively for players with tee times that day, it allows you to hit from a fully grassed area using top-tier practice balls. The setting is pure Phuket—surrounded by dense jungle on two sides with towering Casuarina trees lining the right flank.

The Pro Shop: If you are traveling light, the pro shop is incredibly well-stocked with premium, global brand clubs available for rent. They feature an excellent array of both branded Red Mountain apparel and unbranded luxury merchandise, ensuring you can find exactly what you need.

Food & Beverage: The Clubhouse itself is an architectural tribute to the cool elegance of nature, perfectly positioned to offer panoramic views over the Red Mountain cliffs and the dramatic finishes of both the 9th and 18th holes. The air-conditioned restaurant serves up a fantastic mix of authentic Thai dishes and international favorites, including a first-class breakfast. Out on the course, four well-placed kiosks keep you supplied with cold refreshments and light snacks.

Locker Rooms: After surviving the heat and the hills, the modern, full-service air-conditioned locker rooms are a sight for sore eyes. Every player is allocated a private locker free of charge, and the pristine shower facilities come fully stocked with all the amenities you need to freshen up.

A Note of Gratitude

An unforgettable round of golf is nothing without the people who make it happen. I want to extend a massive thank you to Songkiat Artorngit, the Club Manager, and his entire team for their exceptional hospitality. From the moment we stepped onto the property to the final cold drink on the shady restaurant terrace, fanned by a constant, refreshing tropical breeze, the service was absolutely flawless.

If your travels take you to Thailand, do yourself a favor: pack your clubs, head to Phuket, and test your mettle against the red cliffs of Red Mountain. You won’t regret it.