Koh Samui: Football Golf & Botanical Gardens

Koh Samui’s most unusual round of golf uses your feet, not clubs. At this 18-hole footgolf course, you kick a football toward oversized holes while walking through a coconut plantation and botanical garden filled with more than 400 tropical plant species. It is part sport, part garden stroll, and part very cheerful holiday oddity.

I like the private pickup and short transfer, especially since the course is about five minutes from Big Buddha and roughly 10 minutes from Chaweng along the beach road. I also like the break after hole 11, when you get a cold drink, cool towels, and a homemade coconut snack before finishing the round.

The main consideration is simple: this is not a full-day sightseeing tour or a formal botanical tour. You come for a relaxed game in a pretty setting, and the football element may appeal more to some members of your group than others.

Key points to know before you book

• Asia’s first footgolf course: Play 18 holes by kicking a football rather than swinging a club.
• A garden inside a coconut plantation: The course is shaded by palms and arranged as a series of private garden areas.
• More than 400 tropical plant species: You get a nature walk along with the game.
• A useful mid-course refreshment stop: After hole 11, take a break with a soft drink, coconut snack, and cool towel.
• Private transport from your accommodation: No shared group transfer is involved, and the driver can also drop you at Big Buddha or Wat Plai Laem.
• Good for mixed-interest groups: Football fans can keep score, while less sporty companions can enjoy the plants and relaxed setting.

A football game with a botanical garden around it

Footgolf is easy to understand. You kick a football from the starting point and count how many kicks it takes to reach the hole. The aim is much like golf: finish with the lowest score, but use your feet and a football instead of clubs and a small ball.

Here, the game takes place across 18 holes in a botanical garden. The course is shaded by palm trees, with each hole set in its own carefully arranged garden area. That setup matters because you are not simply walking from one open sports field to another. The greenery gives the round a slower, more scenic rhythm.

You can stop to look at the plants, take photographs, or simply enjoy the shade between kicks. At the same time, the scorecard gives the activity enough structure to keep competitive friends and family interested.

The course is promoted as Asia’s first footgolf course, which gives the outing a distinct sense of place. It is not a standard beach activity copied from somewhere else. The game has been fitted into Koh Samui’s coconut-growing setting, and that connection makes the experience more memorable than a basic kick-around.

Why the setting works so well

The garden is the heart of the activity. More than 400 tropical plant species grow across the grounds, and the course passes through a mix of coconut plantation, jungle, and oasis-style garden spaces. You should expect a leafy walk rather than a fast sports session.

The shade is particularly useful in Koh Samui. Kicking a football for 18 holes still takes effort, but the palm cover makes the pace more comfortable than an exposed field. You can play a hole, take in the plants, then move on without feeling that the activity is only about scoring.

Each hole is described as a beautifully landscaped private garden, with no need to share the playing area with other groups. For a private booking, that gives you room to play at your own speed. You do not have to wait for a large crowd or feel watched by strangers while someone lines up a difficult kick.

I would still wear light, comfortable clothing and expect some walking. Sports shoes are supplied if you need them, which is a useful detail for anyone arriving in sandals or casual holiday footwear.

Pickup from Chaweng and nearby hotels

The included hotel or villa transfer makes this much easier to fit into a Koh Samui holiday. You provide the correct accommodation name, address, and room number when booking, then wait in the lobby before pickup. The instructions ask you to be ready 15 minutes early, which is sensible on an island where traffic and hotel access can slow a short journey.

From Chaweng, the transfer is usually under 15 minutes. The course is around 10 minutes along the beach road from the main resort town and about five minutes from Big Buddha. That location makes the activity practical for a morning or afternoon when you do not want to spend much of your day in a vehicle.

Pickup is private, with no other groups joining your transfer or the course. This is one of the strongest parts of the package for families, couples, and groups of friends who want to keep their own pace.

You can also ask the driver to drop you at Big Buddha or Wat Plai Laem after the game if those sights are already part of your plans. That can turn the outing into a useful half-day combination, although the football course itself does not include a full meal or a guided temple visit.

Getting started with scorecard and football

On arrival, the friendly team provides your scorecard and footballs. The instructions are straightforward, so you do not need previous footgolf experience. The activity is designed around a simple idea: kick the ball toward the hole, record the score, and move on.

The first part covers holes 1 through 11. Because the holes are set apart in their own garden areas, you get a sense of progress without feeling hurried. You can encourage the strongest kicker in your group, laugh at a wayward shot, and let less sporty players take their time.

This is where the activity works well for a mixed private group. A keen football fan has a real game to play, while someone who rarely watches football still has plants, shade, and a pleasant walk to enjoy. You do not have to be good at football to take part, although a little control and patience will help.

The scorecard adds a playful competitive edge. You might keep the contest serious, or treat it as a way to remember who made the most spectacular mistake. The prize at the end gives the round a clear finish without making the experience feel like a tournament.

The break after hole 11

After the first 11 holes, you return to reception for a rest. This pause is included in the price and comes with a soft drink, cool towels, and a homemade traditional coconut snack.

That break is more important than it may sound. Koh Samui’s heat can catch you off guard, even under shade, and stopping midway gives everyone a chance to cool down before the final seven holes. The cool towel is a practical touch, while the coconut snack adds a local flavor that a standard packaged refreshment would miss.

One particularly praised treat is the coconut pancake. It may not be available in every exact form at every visit, but coconut-based homemade snacks are part of the experience, and this is the sort of small detail that helps the outing feel tied to Samui rather than built around a generic sports activity.

The break also helps less enthusiastic players. Someone who finds the first 11 holes enough of a workout can pause, enjoy the garden, and reset before continuing. It keeps the activity from becoming one long stretch of kicking in the heat.

Finishing holes 12 through 18

The final seven holes complete the round. By this stage, you will have worked out how hard to kick, how to aim, and how much the garden paths affect your approach. The last section gives you a chance to improve your score or simply enjoy the final walk through the grounds.

You should not expect a conventional golf course with long fairways, bunkers, or polished clubhouse service. The appeal here is smaller and more relaxed. The holes are part of the garden, and the fun comes from combining a simple game with a tropical setting.

Once you complete hole 18, each person receives a souvenir. There is also a prize and a podium photograph, giving your group a lighthearted record of the day. The photo opportunity is especially useful for birthdays or couples looking for a playful holiday activity, and one booking was made specifically as a husband’s birthday surprise.

The team is described as friendly and flexible. In one case, a pickup-time mix-up was resolved by returning at the preferred time. That does not mean you should treat the schedule casually, but it suggests that clear communication through WhatsApp can help if your plans change.

What the $25 price includes

At $25 per person, the value is strongest when you use the transfer and the added extras. You are not paying only for access to an 18-hole game. The price includes hotel or villa transportation, footballs, a scorecard, sports shoes if required, one soft drink, coconut snacks, and a souvenir for each person.

The private group format adds value for families and friends. A cheaper shared activity might save a few dollars but could bring waiting time, fixed pacing, or strangers into the day. Here, your group can play together and use the driver for a nearby temple stop afterward.

The price does not include a full meal. Plan around that. The coconut snack is a refreshment, not lunch, so you should eat before or after the activity if you need something substantial.

For a short, easy-to-organize outing, the cost is reasonable. It is less compelling if you are only interested in serious football or expect a complete botanical garden tour with a specialist guide. The best value comes from seeing it as three things in one: private transport, a casual 18-hole game, and a shaded garden visit.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this for families with older children, couples, birthday groups, and friends who want something different from beaches and temples. The private setting makes it especially suitable when people in the group have different energy levels.

Football fans get a proper scorecard and 18 holes. People who are not enthusiastic about football can focus on the plants, the walking route, the shade, and the coconut snacks. That balance is the main reason to choose this over a more demanding sports activity.

It also suits anyone who has already spent time on Koh Samui’s main beaches and wants a change of scenery. The nearby location means you do not need to commit to a distant excursion.

I would hesitate if you want a quiet garden visit with no activity. The football is not background decoration. You will be kicking a ball throughout the course, and the fun depends on taking part.

Practical details that make the day easier

Book with the correct hotel or villa name, address, and room number. Wait in the lobby before the scheduled pickup and be ready at least 15 minutes early.

Bring your booking voucher to reception. English is available from the host or greeter, and pickup details can be discussed through WhatsApp.

The activity is private, so your group does not share the course with other groups. Sports shoes are available if required, but you should still choose clothing suitable for walking and light exercise.

The booking is valid for one day, with starting times dependent on availability. You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now-pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately.

Should you book Koh Samui Football Golf?

Book it if you want a short, good-natured activity that combines exercise, tropical plants, and private transport. The shaded course, mid-game coconut snack, and nearby temple options give it more substance than a simple football game.

I would especially choose it for a mixed group, since the garden helps keep non-football fans involved. At $25, the package offers fair value when you count the transfers, equipment, refreshments, souvenir, and private format.

Skip it if your priority is a full botanical tour, a serious football match, or a full-day excursion. For everyone else, this is an easy way to add a little competition and a lot of greenery to a Koh Samui itinerary.

FAQ

Where is the football golf course located?

The course is in Surat Thani Province on Koh Samui, about five minutes from Big Buddha and around 10 minutes along the beach road from Chaweng.

How many holes are included?

The activity includes 18 holes of footgolf.

What is footgolf?

Footgolf is played by kicking a football toward each hole and recording how many kicks you need, using a format similar to golf.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel or villa pickup and return transfer are included for accommodation in Koh Samui.

Is the activity private?

Yes. The booking is for a private group, with no other groups joining your transfer or course session.

Are footballs provided?

Yes. Footballs and a scorecard are provided at the course.

Are sports shoes available?

Yes. Sports shoes are included if required.

Are food and drinks included?

One soft drink and coconut snacks are included. A full meal is not included.

Can the driver stop at Big Buddha or Wat Plai Laem?

Yes. The driver can drop you at nearby Big Buddha or Wat Plai Laem temples if they are part of your sightseeing plans.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, subject to the booking conditions.