American golf too pricey? Fly to Pattaya or Bangkok, Thailand

The Zagat Survey’s “America’s Top Golf Courses” names Riverdale Dunes in Colorado the best budget course. Zagat’s criterion for a “budget course:” greens fees of $40 and under.

I don’t know about you, but $40 twice a week puts a big dent in my budget. How can a fellow play golf often enough to improve his game?

Here’s one answer: Move to Thailand like I did. Thailand really is a golfer’s dream. Weekdays, many excellent courses here charge $10 per round plus $5 for the mandatory caddie.

Even the driving ranges are super. Pay about 35 baht (less than 90 cents) for a tray of 35 balls which are automatically teed up for you. Many driving ranges have restaurants serving the best Thai food you’ve ever had for $2 to $3 per meal.

Many retired and semi-retired people spend winters here. My attractive furnished studio apartment costs $175 per month, although I pay extra for Internet service and cable television. A maid cleans my apartment once a week for $2.50.

While you’re in Thailand, you can get a complete medical checkup at a hospital – blood and urine tests, electrocardiogram, digital prostate examination, etc. - for $60. Get your teeth cleaned and polished for $15. Enjoy a Thai massage: $5 for two hours.

For vacationers, the only unavoidable major expense is airfare. China Airlines generally offers flights under $1,000 round trip from anywhere in the United States. Clean and comfortable accommodations can be had in Bangkok for $25 a night or less. Once you’re outside of Bangkok, prices go down.

The area around Pattaya, the infamous beach town, has the greatest density of golf courses. You can stay in Pattaya for two weeks and play a different course every day. The town is located in eastern Thailand (Chonburi Province), on the Gulf of Siam, about 90 minutes by car from Bangkok

For Americans and Europeans, no visa is required. You’re given a 30-day entry permit upon arrival at the airport. What could be easier?