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Malaysia must be one of the most golf-obsessed nations in the world, given the number of excellent and challenging golf courses throughout the country. And the fact that golf can be played practically all year round makes the country a true haven for golfers.
One of the most exciting things about playing golf in Malaysia for visitors from around the world must be the knowledge that many of the golf courses are the very same turf played on by their golfing heroes and heroines. Indeed, it is possible for the keen golfer to travel the country to play on specifically designed courses or those made famous by former and current golf champions and tournaments.
Well over 200 golf courses, each with its own characteristics and environments, catering to both professional and enthusiastic amateurs, are available for those determined to test their golfing skills against the most challenging courses, or to simply enjoy a calm and refreshing game of playing one’s best, regardless of the outcome.
Overall, Malaysia’s combination of natural beauty, world-class golf courses, tourism infrastructure, cultural attractions, and strategic location positions it as a promising destination for golf tourism, offering endless opportunities for growth and development in this sector.
Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club – Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club (KLGCC) stands as one of Malaysia’s premier golfing destinations, renowned for its two distinguished courses: the West Course and the East Course.
The West Course, spanning 6,397 metres with a par of 72, has been recognised as Malaysia’s Best Golf Course by the World Golf Awards 2022 and ranked 20th in the Top 100 Golf Courses in Asia 2022. Meanwhile, KLGCC’s East Course earned the top spot in the coveted Golf Digest International 2020 Best Golf Courses in Malaysia list. The Club further solidified its status by being listed in the Club Leaders Forum’s ‘Top 50 Platinum Golf & Country Clubs of the World 2024-2025’, earning the prestigious title of “5-Star Platinum Club”. Additionally, KLGCC has been honoured beyond the golfing realm, receiving recognition at the Hospitality Asia Platinum Awards (HAPA) for Best Tourism Destination in 2023.
The Els Club Teluk Datai – Langkawi
Nestled between the Andaman Sea and lush mountains on Langkawi Island, the Els Club Teluk Datai was recognised as one of the best new courses in Asia. Originally built in 1992, the jungle-lined course underwent an extensive redesign by South African legend Ernie Els and reopened for play in early 2014. The par 72, 6,760-yard layout plays into the foothills of the Mat Cincang mountain range and out to the sea, featuring five sea-fronting holes. The course has a unique feature – the total absence of bunkers, as Els and his design team felt that the forest setting provides enough natural hazards.
The par-three 17th plays over a small cove and offers superb views of the Andaman Sea, as does the par-five 7th, which zigzags its way to a beachside peninsula green.
The Els Club Desaru Coast (Ocean Course) – Johor
The stunning 27-hole Ocean Course, designed by the club’s namesake and four-time major champion Ernie Els, commands a stunning location overlooking the awe-inspiring South China Sea.
The Ocean Course comprises three 9-hole courses, namely Coast, Lakes, and Ridge Course, offering unique on-site individual variability. Each layout has its own character and personal touches from Els while drawing similar inspiration from the famous links courses spread across the UK, with large rolling greens and tight run-off areas designed to place a premium on a sharp short game.
The Els Club Desaru Coast (Valley Course) – Johor
The Valley Course is a remarkable 18-hole golf course designed by Ernie Els’ close associate and three-time major champion, Vijay Singh, together with the Ernie Els Design Team.
The Valley Course traverses the valleys and streams of Desaru Coast with significant elevation changes, providing picturesque scenery. This championship course spans 41 hectares with 166 bunkers, enabling a challenging and rewarding feat. The small greens and sharp undulations mean that approach play must be precise in order to prevail against the course. The layout is as dramatic as you’ll find anywhere in the world, with Singh using the slopes on the property to perfection, creating a perfect mix of testing shots and vistas that will provide memories to last a lifetime.
Dalit Bay Golf & Country Club – Sabah
Operated by the Shangri-La Group, Dalit Bay Golf & Country Club offers a Signature 18-hole Championship Golf Course designed by award-winning Australian golf course architect Ted Parslow. Wetland areas thus form the most distinctive feature of the course, bordered by the Tambalang and Mengkabong Rivers from which the two nines take their names. Water comes into play on virtually every hole, although Parslow’s design allows golfers to choose lines of play that suit their ability and confidence.
Main image: Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club. Image supplied by Malaysia Tourism
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