Last Updated on September 23, 2026 by Jeff Tomas
Chiang Rai has two main 18-hole golf courses, but they differ in price and playing style. Santiburi is the higher-priced option, while Waterford Valley generally costs less; published rates vary depending on the season and whether the caddie and cart are included.
Before booking, check the total with the course or provider, since online fee listings don’t always match. This guide compares both courses and their listed prices so you can plan your round with fewer surprises. For more on golf courses near Chiang Rai, consider how each option fits your trip.
Key Takeaways
- Santiburi is Chiang Rai’s higher-priced option, with published green fees around THB 1,900 on weekdays and THB 2,300 on weekends. A Santiburi golf package may bundle key costs.
- Waterford Valley generally costs less, though listings show conflicting rates. Check the course’s official Waterford rates before booking.
- Budget for extras: Santiburi lists a THB 300 caddie fee and THB 600 cart fee; Waterford listings show THB 300 to 350 for a caddie and THB 600 for a cart.
- Confirm the full price, including caddie, cart, and any required fees, with the course or booking provider before your round.
Golf in Chiang Rai: Courses and Green Fees
Santiburi Chiang Rai Country Club and Waterford Valley Golf Club are two local 18-hole options with different price points and playing experiences. They’re useful starting points, though golfers exploring the wider region may find other courses beyond Chiang Rai city.
Santiburi Chiang Rai is the premium course
Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. and opened in 1993, Santiburi is the area’s premium choice. Its 18-hole championship layout and higher green fees appeal to golfers who want a more established course and are comfortable paying more for the round. Published rates can change by season, day, and package, so compare what’s included rather than looking at the green fee alone. Course details and seasonal pricing can help with an initial estimate.
Before traveling, contact Santiburi to confirm course conditions, tee-time availability, and services such as carts, caddies, and club rentals. These details can affect both the playing experience and your total cost.
Waterford Valley offers a lower-cost alternative
Waterford Valley Golf Club is an 18-hole valley layout that opened in 1996. Listings put its length at roughly 6,961 yards, making it a substantial round rather than a short executive course. It often appeals to golfers who want to spend less than they would at Santiburi, particularly when a current rate or package keeps additional charges manageable.
However, lower fees don’t automatically make Waterford the better fit. Check the layout, travel time, included services, and current playing conditions before choosing. Weather can affect access around the area, so review recent flooding conditions near Waterford if heavy rain is forecast. As with Santiburi, confirm the latest fees and services with the club or booking provider before setting out.
What Golfers Can Expect to Pay for a Round
For 18 holes in Chiang Rai, reported green fees range from around ฿1,500 at Waterford Valley to ฿3,250 for a high-season weekend round at Santiburi. Treat these as reported rates, not guaranteed current prices. The total depends on the season, package, and booking channel, so check the details for your tee time before paying.
Compare the reported green fees at both courses
One listing puts Santiburi at ฿1,900 on weekdays and ฿2,300 on weekends. Seasonal 2026 packages show higher rates: ฿2,450 to ฿2,850 in low season, and ฿2,850 to ฿3,250 in high season, depending on the day. A separate Santiburi rate listing also shows that published figures can differ.
For Waterford Valley, one listing reports ฿1,500 on weekdays and ฿2,000 on weekends. Seasonal packages list ฿1,800 in low season and ฿1,900 in high season, with no separate weekday and weekend prices. These differences may reflect package inclusions or booking channel, so compare the full rate rather than the headline green fee.
Check whether caddies and carts are included
Some seasonal packages include the green fee, caddie, and cart. Other listings show those services as separate charges. Reported estimates put a Santiburi caddie at about ฿300 and a cart at ฿600; at Waterford, caddie fees range from ฿300 to ฿350, with carts around ฿600.
That can change the total substantially. Before booking, ask whether the quoted rate covers both services, whether any other fees apply, and what caddie tip is expected. Package details matter too: a Santiburi golf escape package includes green fee, caddie, and cart as part of a hotel stay, so its price isn’t directly comparable to a standalone round. Check the exact inclusions and rate for your date with the course or booking provider.
How the Two Chiang Rai Courses Differ on the Course
The choice between Santiburi and Waterford Valley comes down to more than the green fee. Consider the course design, setting, and services you want on the day, then check what each club currently offers before booking.
Choose Santiburi for a premium golf day
Santiburi may suit golfers who value a recognized designer and a more full-service club experience. Robert Trent Jones Jr. designed the course, and its location in the hilly Wiang Chai area gives the round a different feel from a valley setting. You can review Santiburi course details to get a sense of its design and layout.
The club lists services such as caddies, carts, club rental, practice areas, and dining. That range can make planning easier, especially if you’re traveling without your own equipment. Still, a premium reputation doesn’t guarantee that every service will be available or included on your date. Check tee availability, current maintenance, and the exact services covered by your booking before you commit.
Choose Waterford Valley for value and a valley setting
Waterford Valley may appeal if you want a lower-cost round in a course setting framed by green mountains and natural terrain. Its 18-hole layout was designed by Rathert International Golf Design, so the experience differs from Santiburi in both designer and surroundings. The valley landscape may be a particular draw if scenery matters as much to you as the round itself.
Waterford also lists facilities such as a driving range, pro shop, restaurant, locker rooms, and accommodation. However, don’t assume that every amenity is open or included with a tee time. Confirm course conditions, available services, and any booking requirements directly with the club. This is especially useful after heavy rain or during periods when maintenance work may affect play.
Both courses offer a full 18-hole round, but they suit different priorities: Santiburi leans toward a recognized designer and broader golf services, while Waterford combines a valley setting with a generally lower-cost option. Check the details for your specific date rather than relying on broad comparisons.
How to Book a Tee Time and Plan Your Golf Day
Once you’ve chosen a course, contact the club directly to check availability and confirm the full cost for your date. Book ahead, especially if you’re traveling on a weekend or have a fixed schedule.
Contact the course to confirm rates and availability
For Santiburi, email cr_golfreservation@santiburi.com or call +66 53 662 821-6. The listed pro shop number is +66 53 662 626. You can also compare the club’s published details with this Santiburi contact listing.
For Waterford Valley, call +66-53-953440 or the reservation mobile at +66-81-530-6535. These are published contact details, but verify they’re still current before relying on them. When you reach either course, give your preferred date, approximate tee time, and number of players. Ask the club to confirm the booking in writing, along with any arrival or check-in instructions.
Plan your ride to the course as well. Travel time and transport options can affect when you need to leave, so review getting around Chiang Rai without a car before setting your schedule.
Ask what your booking includes before you pay
Request an itemized quote for your specific date. Rates may differ on weekdays and weekends, and the total can change if caddie or cart fees are separate. Also ask whether club rentals are available and what they cost if you’re not bringing your own set.
Before paying, confirm:
- The date-specific green fee and whether the quote is per player.
- Any weekday or weekend rate difference.
- Whether caddie and cart charges are included or added separately.
- Club rental availability and cost, if needed.
- The cancellation or change policy.
All prices cited in this guide are in Thai baht (THB). Save the written confirmation and check that it matches the amount you expect to pay. On the day, allow time to reach the course, check in, and arrange any rentals before your tee time.
Which Chiang Rai Golf Course Should You Choose?
The best course for your Chiang Rai golf trip depends on what matters most: price, course style, or how easily you can fit a round into your plans. Santiburi and Waterford Valley suit different priorities, so compare the full cost and logistics for your specific date.
Match the course to your budget and priorities
Santiburi is generally positioned as the premium option, with a Robert Trent Jones Jr. design and green fees that tend to run higher. Waterford Valley is often the lower-cost choice. For a quick price reference, current Waterford Valley golf rates show one set of published fees, but rates can vary by season and booking channel.
Before deciding, compare the total package cost, not just the green fee. Check whether the quote includes a caddie and cart, and add any rental or other charges you’ll need. A lower headline price may not mean a cheaper round once those costs are included.
Your tee time and travel plans matter, too. Santiburi is closer to Chiang Rai city and the airport, while Waterford Valley is in the more outlying Wieng Chiang Rung District. Allow for the drive when choosing a start time, and review transport options for Chiang Rai golf trips if you need a rental car or transfer.
If you value designer-course credentials and a more convenient location, Santiburi may fit better. If keeping the round’s cost down is your priority, Waterford Valley may be the better match. In either case, confirm the date-specific rate, inclusions, course conditions, and tee-time availability directly before booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are a few practical details to check as you compare Chiang Rai golf courses and plan your round.
How many 18-hole golf courses are featured in Chiang Rai?
Current listings clearly identify two local 18-hole options: Santiburi Chiang Rai Country Club and Waterford Valley Golf Club. This refers to the courses covered in this guide, not every golf facility in the wider region.
Are green fees higher during Chiang Rai’s high season?
Published 2026 rate sheets show separate low-season and high-season prices. Santiburi’s listed high season runs from November 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027; check the published seasonal rate details, then confirm the rate for your exact playing date with the course.
Do green fees include a caddie and golf cart?
Some listed packages include both a caddie and a cart, while other rate listings price them separately. Since inclusions can vary by course, package, and booking provider, ask for an itemized total when reserving.
Can visitors book a tee time directly with the courses?
Both courses have published contact details, and Waterford’s listings advise golfers to contact the club directly to check availability. Confirm your tee time in advance, especially for busy travel dates; Chiang Rai tee-time booking options are also available through booking providers.
What currency are Chiang Rai golf fees listed in?
The reported rates are in Thai baht, shown as THB or ฿. Before you pay, confirm the final amount and accepted payment method with the course or booking provider.
