Summit Windmill Golf Club – Championship Test in Bangkok's Heat

Gunnar Kobin
Feb 1
5 min read

Updated: Feb 7

Summit Windmill Golf : Bangkok's Sneaky Difficult Championship Course

Bangkok has golf courses everywhere, but finding one that's actually challenging at a championship level while still being well-maintained and thoughtfully designed? That's harder. Summit Windmill pulls it off.

Sitting just minutes from Suvarnabhumi Airport, this isn't some resort track where you're expected to shoot your best round ever while sipping cocktails. This is a proper test that'll expose any weakness in your game, particularly if you don't handle water well mentally.

Close to the Airport But Worlds Away

The location in Bangna means you can literally play here on your way to or from the airport when you've got a few hours to kill. But once you're through the gates, the city noise fades fast.

You're surrounded by wide palm-lined fairways, big lakes everywhere, everything meticulously landscaped. The clubhouse is huge and elegant—more European estate than typical Thai golf club. And then there are these massive villas lining the course, French-style mansions that look like they cost more than small countries.

It's impressive, sure, but also a constant reminder you're playing golf in the middle of one of Asia's biggest cities. Not everyone's cup of tea aesthetically, but it's certainly... noticeable.

Surprised Me From the First Tee

Here's the thing—Summit Windmill is supposedly a Nick Faldo design. When I played it, I would've bet money it was Pete Dye. The style, the strategy, the way water's used—everything screamed Dye to me.

And I loved it immediately. First tee, I knew this was going to be my kind of course.

The fairways have these subtle rolls that keep things interesting without beating you up. Water's everywhere but it's not there just to scare you—it's positioned to make you think about angles and shot shape. The course looks good, flows well, never feels forced or overdone.

Now, the fairways look generous when you're standing on the tee. But that's the trap. If you're on the wrong side, your approach suddenly becomes a nerve-wracking carry over water instead of a straightforward shot. Classic risk-reward stuff, especially on the shorter par 4s and longer par 5s where you're constantly weighing whether to attack or play smart.

Water, Water Everywhere

Water is what defines Summit Windmill strategically. It's not just decorative—it's running alongside fairways on hole after hole, dictating everything. Your shot shape, where you can land it, whether you've got a realistic birdie chance or you're just trying to survive.

First hole sets the tone right away. You need patience and control from the jump. The 9th is a great example of the course's personality—long hitters can try to carry a bunch of water and leave themselves a wedge in, or you can lay back and face a much tougher second shot. Neither option feels easy, which is the point.

What I appreciated is how the course creates this calm visual appearance but underneath there's constant pressure. Nothing looks terrifying, but nothing feels truly safe either. That psychological element is what separates this from basic resort golf.

Greens Are Fair, Conditioning's Excellent

The greens roll true and quick without being ridiculous. Slopes are there but subtle—you need to read them properly and control your speed, but you're not dealing with absurd breaks that feel like guesswork.

Fairways were pristine when I played, soft enough to hold shots but firm enough to get some roll. Bunkering looks good and is well-positioned, though how well they're maintained really depends on your caddie's standards (more on that in a minute).

Overall conditioning is championship quality, which is impressive given how busy this place must be.

The Caddie Situation Needs Addressing

Okay, so after playing a bunch in Hua Hin where the caddies are consistently excellent, Summit Windmill was a letdown. Significant letdown.

The engagement level just wasn't there. One caddie in our group literally told us she didn't know how to read a green. Mine required constant prodding for putting lines—I had to ask multiple times on some holes. On one hole, I chipped close and tapped in while she was... I don't even know what she was doing. Just hadn't noticed I'd finished.

Worst moment was the 16th. I'm in a bunker that's completely covered in footprints. They don't have rakes at the course—each caddie carries one. The sand is really soft, so raking matters. This bunker clearly hadn't been touched. Basic stuff, and it wasn't done.

Coming from Hua Hin where caddies are attentive, knowledgeable, and professional as standard, this was jarring. It's the one glaring weakness in what's otherwise a top-tier experience, and it's impossible to ignore when you're paying championship course prices.

Bangkok Heat Is Brutal, But There's a Solution

Playing golf in central Bangkok during the day is an endurance test. You're surrounded by concrete and buildings, there's no breeze, and it's just oppressively hot. Even if you're used to tropical golf, this will test you. Hydration and sun protection aren't optional—they're survival.

But here's Summit Windmill's ace card: the entire course is lit for night golf.

You can start your round at 6 or 7 PM when the temperature drops, and suddenly it's not just tolerable—it's actually enjoyable. Playing under the lights creates this unique atmosphere, and physically it's a completely different experience. Not many championship courses offer this, and it's a legitimate game-changer for Bangkok golf.

Honestly, for most of the year, I'd only play Summit Windmill at night. Why suffer when you don't have to?

Facilities Match the Course Quality

Clubhouse is spacious, elegant, everything's maintained at a high level. Locker rooms are solid, restaurant's good, the vibe is calm and refined. Everything runs smoothly.

Combined with night golf capability, Summit Windmill becomes one of the most flexible championship options in Bangkok for travelers. You can literally time your round around your flights and the weather.

The Bottom Line

Summit Windmill delivers on architecture, strategy, and conditioning. It's a thinking player's course that punishes lazy decisions and rewards proper planning. The design is excellent, the challenge is real, and the convenience factor is huge.

The caddie quality is the weak spot—frustratingly so when compared to Hua Hin's standards. But the night golf option largely solves Bangkok's heat problem, which is no small thing.

For serious golfers visiting Bangkok, this is essential. It's one of the city's best championship layouts, and if you play it at night when it's cooler and the course is lit up, it's a genuinely memorable experience. Just maybe lower your expectations for caddie help and focus on the golf itself, which is outstanding.