Pattavia Century Golf Club is located 1.5 hours from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport and 50 minutes from Pattaya through pineapple fields off Highway 331 towards Rayong. US golf architect Robert McFarland originally designed the Pattaya golf course in 1996 under the Century name. More recently, in 2014, Pattavia was renamed, renovated, lengthened, and brought up to modern standards. It now plays to over 7,100 yards from the tips.

Rolling hills in rural Thai jungle-clad hills make for an excellent golf course site. Routing of holes at Pattavia is through the jungle and up-and-down natural ravines. Generally, well-maintained fairways, greens, and bunkers characterize playing conditions. The course features small greens, which are the primary challenge of Pattavia. Predominantly sloping from the back to the front, so approach placement to have uphill putts is most desirable.

Each 9 has one short and one more challenging par 3. The par 4s offer a mix of distances that require various approaches. Notably, Hole 16, with its wide but shallow green, is long to reach in regulation. The par 5s offer plenty of room to play as three-shot holes while still offering the longer hitters the opportunity to reach the green in two. 

There are many doglegs, including the best hole on the golf course. Hole 18 is the signature hole, and besides having to skirt water and hit the green with an accurately struck fairway wood, the green is severely sloped from left to right. A par here is as good as it gets. Otherwise, settle for a bogey and call it a day. It could have been a lot worse.

Cadies are well-trained but speak little English, and the small clubhouse adequately serves most golfers’ needs. Golf carts are optional, and Pattavia is an alternative to the more famous Pattaya golf courses.