Imperial Lake View in Hua Hin

Hua Hin Golf | Imperial Lake View

Imagine the views

Twenty minutes from the Hua Hin, halfway to the city of Cha Am, lies the Imperial Lake View golf club, part of a resort set in 1,200 acres in a valley at the foot of a mountain range. You can imagine the views.

There are 27 holes designed by Australia's Roger Packard and the initial 18 have a links-land look about them; they're ruggedly beautiful and you'll need to step up a couple of gears if you played Royal Hua Hin first. It's a big driving course with plenty of water and if you're feeling your oats you could tackle it from the back markers and know you've had a work out.

That, though, is recommended only for the hot shots. Ordinary folk should try the more forward tees, of which there's a choice: they're quite fruity enough for most. Packard is obviously fond of bunkers and large greens, which are a hazard in themselves, but it's a fun course and is in tip-top order. It's easy walking or there are carts.