Whether you’re after beach views, jungle scenes or cityscapes, here are the best courses in Kuala Lumpur, Johor, Langkawi and Iskandar Puteri
1. Langkawi: The Els Club Teluk Datai
Mountains and rainforest to one side, glittering shoreline to the other. It doesn’t get more picturesque than The Els Club Teluk Datai’s idyllic 47-hectare setting (pictured above). This 18-hole course takes in the best of Langkawi’s natural scenery, winding its way past the rainforest, down by the beach (please do stop to look out at the scattering of islands in the ocean) and overlooked by the mountain Gunung Mat Chinchang. If you’re lucky (and observant), you’ll even spot some of Langkawi’s native wildlife around the course, including dusky langurs and macaques. elsclubmalaysia.com/rainforest_course
2. Johor: The Els Club Desaru Coast
Desaru Coast, the newest addition to Malaysia’s varied coastline, is undoubtedly worth a visit with its clutch of premium resorts and entertainment options. Add to that lineup The Els Club Desaru Coast’s Valley Course, which has been named Malaysia’s Best Golf Course two years in a row by World Golf Awards. Designed by three-time major champion Vijay Singh, the Valley Course is a challenging, exciting course to play for experienced golfers, with dramatic slopes and tight curves. And if it’s ocean views you’re after, head over to the club’s Ocean Course with its picture-perfect vistas of the South China Sea. elsclubmalaysia.com/ocean_course
3. KL: Royal Selangor Golf Club
Right in the heart of Malaysia’s capital city, the Royal Selangor Golf Club is one of the oldest courses in Malaysia and Asia. Established in 1893, the golf club moved to its current home in 1920, after the Malaysian government reclaimed its previous location. Two courses, charmingly named Old Course and New Course, spread out across 45 holes, studded with rare, old trees that were a parting gift from the course’s previous life as a forestry research centre. rsgc.com.my
4. Iskandar Puteri: Horizon Hills Golf & Country Club
This 18-hole international championship course in Iskandar Puteri, the administrative capital of Johor, was designed by renowned golf architect Ross Watson. The par-72 championship layout is an exciting, challenging one that pays respect to the undulations, slopes and dips of the natural terrain. Nestled in the township of former Nusajaya, this is a thoroughly modern course featuring water hazards aplenty – waterfalls, lakes, ponds and creek crossings all add to Watson’s famous “risk-reward” golf design. hhgcc.com.my
5. KL: Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club
Since its establishment in the 1990s, Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club (known more commonly as KLGCC) has picked up golf awards and accolades every year. Its two championship golf courses – West Course and East Course – are famed for their beautiful parkland-style landscaping, and for regularly hosting the PGA Tour, European Tour and LPGA. Of the two, the West Course is a more challenging play, with some great elevation and narrow fairways and avenues. klgcc.com
