Banyan vs Black Mountain
The two best golf courses in Hua Hin sit barely twenty minutes apart in the hills above Thailand's royal seaside town, and every golf trip here has to choose. Black Mountain is the championship heavyweight, a Phil Ryan design repeatedly rated Thailand's number one. Banyan, now branded Pineapple Valley, is the scenic charmer, routed through old banyan trees and a former pineapple plantation. Here is the honest head to head, verdict first.
Photograph: Black Mountain Golf Club, via Google
The verdict
For the golf and the resume, Black Mountain edges it. Opened in 2007 to a Phil Ryan design and carved from a former pineapple plantation in the hills behind Hua Hin, it has been rated Thailand's best course time and again and has hosted Asian Tour events, the Royal Trophy and the Black Mountain Masters. A 27 hole property whose championship eighteen stretches past 7,300 yards, it is immaculately conditioned, varied and genuinely demanding, the closest thing in Thai golf to a world class tournament test. If you want the headline round of a Hua Hin trip and a course that holds up to professional scrutiny, this is it.
Banyan, recently rebranded Pineapple Valley, is no consolation prize. Opened in 2008 and routed through groves of ancient banyan trees and the contours of an old pineapple plantation, it is the more scenic and characterful of the two, with elevated tees, mountain backdrops and glimpses of the Gulf. It won acclaim as one of the best new courses in Asia when it opened and remains a beautifully presented, hugely enjoyable round that many Hua Hin regulars love just as much as its rival. A touch more forgiving and arguably prettier, it is the perfect partner to Black Mountain rather than its lesser. Pick Black Mountain for the championship test, Banyan for the scenery and the charm, and play both.
Head to head
| Black Mountain Golf Club | Banyan Golf Club (Pineapple Valley) | |
|---|---|---|
| Designer | Phil Ryan, opened 2007 | Pirapon Namatra, opened 2008 |
| Layout | 27 holes; championship 18 around 7,389 yards, par 72 | 18 holes, around 7,361 yards, par 72 |
| Pedigree | Repeatedly rated Thailand's number one; Asian Tour and Royal Trophy host | Acclaimed best new course in Asia at opening; a Hua Hin favourite |
| Character | Demanding, immaculately conditioned championship test | Scenic, characterful round through banyan groves and old plantation land |
| Setting | Rolling former plantation in the hills behind Hua Hin | Elevated tees, mountain backdrops and Gulf glimpses |
| Green fee, 2026 | Premium; indicatively around 3,000 to 4,000 THB plus caddie (indicative; confirm) | Premium; indicatively around 3,000 to 4,000 THB plus caddie (indicative; confirm) |
| Best for | The championship test and tournament pedigree | The scenery, the charm and an enjoyable, playable round |
Course facts and indicative fee ranges verified June 2026 from the clubs and recognized course databases; Banyan now trades as Pineapple Valley Golf Club. Fees vary by season and demand, so always confirm directly before booking. Check tee time availability.
Who should pick which
Pick Black Mountain if
You want the best and most demanding golf in Hua Hin. Black Mountain is the tournament tested championship course, immaculately conditioned and repeatedly rated Thailand's finest, with the variety and bite to satisfy strong players. It suits golfers who put the quality and challenge of the course first, who want to walk a layout the Asian Tour has played, and who do not mind that the headline round comes at a headline price. The 27 hole property gives flexibility too.
Pick Banyan if
You want the prettier, more relaxed round without giving up quality. Banyan, now Pineapple Valley, threads through ancient banyan trees and old plantation land with elevated tees and lovely mountain and Gulf views, a characterful course that is a little more forgiving and a joy to look at. It suits mixed ability groups and golfers who want scenery and enjoyment alongside a proper test, and it pairs perfectly with Black Mountain over a few days in Hua Hin.
Plan your Hua Hin golf trip
Play both, add the other Hua Hin courses and base by the beach. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling, and one concierge secures the tee times, sorts the hotel and the transfers, and costs the whole trip to the head, with no obligation.
Banyan vs Black Mountain questions
Is Banyan or Black Mountain the better golf course?
Both are championship courses in Hua Hin and rank among the best in Thailand, and most golfers play both. Black Mountain, a Phil Ryan design opened in 2007, is the more decorated and tournament tested of the two, repeatedly rated Thailand's number one course and host of Asian Tour events, with superb conditioning. Banyan, now branded Pineapple Valley, is the more scenic and characterful round, threaded through old banyan trees and a former pineapple plantation with mountain and sea views. Pick Black Mountain for the championship test, Banyan for the setting and charm.
How far apart are Banyan and Black Mountain in Hua Hin?
Both courses sit in the hills inland of Hua Hin and Cha-am on Thailand's Gulf coast, around fifteen to twenty five minutes apart by car and both roughly twenty to thirty minutes from the Hua Hin beach hotels. They are easily paired on a single golf trip, and most Hua Hin packages include both. Allow for transfer time from your hotel and book tee times ahead in the cooler high season.
What are the green fees at Banyan and Black Mountain?
Both are premium Hua Hin courses with green fees that move by season, indicatively in the region of 3,000 to 4,000 Thai baht for 18 holes in the cooler 2026 high season, plus the customary caddie fee and optional cart. Low season and twilight rates are cheaper, and packages bundle several Hua Hin courses together. These figures are indicative and change, so always confirm current rates directly before booking.
When is the best time to play golf in Hua Hin?
The cool, dry season from November to February is the prime time to play golf in Hua Hin, with comfortable temperatures and the courses in fine condition. March to May is hotter, and the green wet season runs roughly June to October, with afternoon showers but lush courses and better value. Hua Hin is drier than much of Thailand, so golf is playable year round. Always check conditions and book ahead for the high season.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Course facts and indicative fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.