Malaysia, the land of diverse attractions, is a paradise of golfers, offering an amazing variety of over 200 golf courses. Spread over undulating terrain and endless greenery, the country’s golf courses are truly spectacular. Choose to tee off with the South China Sea behind you, or in the refreshing ambience of the cool highlands.
What makes Malaysia so special for golfers? Year-round fair and balmy weather means you never have to worry about the rain, clouds, while local courses are designed with multiple tees, so serious golfer and amateur can play in the same flight. Then there are the modern club-houses and fine dining, which offer Malaysia’s world-renounced first-class, friendly service. Many courses are even conveniently located next to themes parks for wholesome family fun, while others overlook the beaches or rainforest. There is truly something for everyone!
BUKIT JAMBUL designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr.
Wherever you are in Penang, the 18-hole championship course, Bukit Jambul Country Club is only half an hour’s drive away. Stretched over 130 acres of rugged terrain, it is one of Malaysia most challenging courses. Rocky and with unrelenting slopes, it dense jungles surrounding the fairways and greens, add character to a beautiful, yet testing course. Mastering the course requires careful tee shots as wayward drives often result in strenuous attempts just to make par. Pass the Bukit Jambul Country Club test and you will earn bragging rights that will be recognized anywhere in the country. This course is very narrow and short. Accuracy is required for this par 72 course.
PENANG GOLF RESORT (PGR) designed by Graham Marsh
Located in the midst of residential property near Penang Island, this 36-hole championship golf resort nestled within the masterplan of a new township developed by Bertam Properties Sdn. Bhd. in Seberang Perai Utara, Penang offers well-manicured grass, relatively flat terrain and straight holes. Both amateur and professionals will enjoy striding across with three sets of tees, tree-lined and landscaped lush fairways culminating with well-manicured verdant greens.
I was informed Penang Golf Resort is also an ideal place for the whole family. It offers a variety of exculusive amenties such as proshop, a swimming pool, tennis courts, gymanasium, children’s playground, computer and karaoke rooms. There is also a fine Chinese restaurant and coffee terrace with view of the Golf course. For business purposes, there are also seminar and conference halls.
CLEARWATER SANCTUARY designed by Australian Golf Management.
Only 15 km from Ipoh, Clearwater Sanctuary Golf Resort, was recently acclaimed by a local magazine “Golf Malaysia” as second Best Golf course 2007/08 in the country and Most Scenic Golf Course in Malaysia and the 5th Best Golf Resort in Asia. It was also voted as Best Golf Course / Resort 2007 by Expatriate Life Travel Awards 2007 and many others. The resort is set in the tranquility of Perk’s Kinta Valley. Carved out of 1,000 acres of a former tin mine, the course is an idyllic escape from the city, with lotus-laden lakes forming a large part of its scenic beauty. In these lakes you can see tropical fish, lotus flowers and colorful Kingfishers. The 27-hole layout caters for professional golfers as well as beginners. A unique feature is the Wetlands Nine that measures 1,402 metre, here is a short Par 3 course to hone your skill or maybe get that hole-in-one. Clearwater’s personalized valet service, together with tennis, badminton and basketball courts, adds to your enjoyment. You can even use the Jacuzzi, swim in the pool, let the children play at Kids’ Funland Centre, or fish in the lakes. Everything is here for you at the versatile Resort. You can do “bird watching”, fishing, and canoeing in Clearwater Sanctuary. The Sanctuary also has 25 lakefront chalets and 2 suite lakefront chalets. The film, “Anna and The King” was shoot there. This Golf Club has the one and only “Aquatic Driving Range” in Malaysia. Night golfing is also available for nine-hole to those who would like to experience golfing during the night.
DAMAI LAUT designed by Ronald Fream
Damai Laut Golf & Country Club situated in Lumut, Perak makes the Strait of Malacca a part of its design by including its water in the 6,225 metres 18-hole course. Cradled in lush greenery, a total of 11 holes are riddled with water elements, while sand traps keep you on the edge. The opening holes are relatively straight, but beware the 11th hole. Here you will require accurate long drives as water flanks the fairway. Once you have accepted the challenge, you can relax at the Golfer’s Terrace with drinks, while relishing the breathtaking view of the resort. This course is voted as the Best Resort Course 2005/2006 and 3rd Most Scenic Golf Course in Malaysia 2005/2006 by Golf Malaysia Magazine.
SAUJANA designed by Ronald Fream
The 36-holes Saujana Golf & Country Club is half hour’s drive from Kuala Lumpur City Center is regarded as one of the Malaysia’s premier courses. In fact, it was voted into Hall of Fame by Golf Malaysia Magazine since year 2002. being the “Best in Malaysia”. This Golf and Country Club hosted the 2007 Malaysian Open and many more Malaysian Open before the year, offers two championship golf courses, which test the best of professional golfers. Undulating terrain and water hazards create a charming appeal, but beware of traps hidden behind the tricky layout. If you need further recreational activities, try the outdoor tennis courts, squash courts, snooker centre and swimming pool. These courses have wild life such as monitor lizards and monkeys, who would steal your golf balls!
TEMPLER PARK designed by Masashi Jumbo Ozaki
A mere 15 minutes out of Kuala Lumpur, you will find Templar Park Country Club. Set to international standards, this club has hosted the 1995, 1996 and 2000 Malaysian Open events. The former mining land highlights 18-holes that tease the average golfer. The Par-72 course is flanked by forest on one side and features the famous limestone hill Bukit Takun. The undulating terrain requires creative shots even as the sand traps and water hazard insist on accuracy. The 18th hole is regarded by many as the toughest hole in Malaysia. For other recreation, enjoy the practice green, driving range and other amenties such as squash, tennis and badminton courts, billiards room, bowling alley, card room, gymnasium, health centre and swimming pool.
DAMAI designed by Arnold Palmer
With the majestic Mount Santubong as its backdrop and the sandy Damai beach, Damai Golf Club is a uniquely beautiful. About 45 minutes drive from Kuching, the par-72 18-hole layout gazes over the South China Sea. The Mountain Nine and Ocean Nine both present stunning vistas of rocky outcrops, mangroves or the seaside. Arnold Palmer designed this challenging course. A narrow strip of fairway sneaks through the rainforest, while a small creek cutting across the fairway adds to the danger of the beauty zone. The signature hole is Par-3 17th, which is flanked on three sides by the South China Sea. Strong winds, add to him feeling of adventure. The clubhouse has standard restaurant, swimming pool, tennis and squash courts and also a 10-bay driving range. Just 10 minutes walk from the Damai Golf Club is the award-winning Sarawak Culture Village (Living Museum), which showcases the lifestyle of major ethnic groups. A visit to there is a memorable climax to your stay.
HORNBILL designed by Neil Crafter
Nestled in the lush jungles of the Sarawak-Kalimantan border and located 1,000 metres above sea-level, is the Hornbill Golf and Jungle Club. This club is based on the concept of “Golf Beyond The Golf Course”. It is about an hour drive from the Kuching International Airport and can only be accessed via four-wheel drive. Dense vegetation surrounds the course and you will feel you are far from civilization, and transported to a verdant paradise. The clubhouse is famous for its rejuvenating spa retreat, healing therapies and massages. Forget the stress of the city life in this pristine setting.
Cyber-launched by Tiger Woods, this 18-holes golf course is magnified by the steep gradients of the rugged mountain terrain, making it “as much as a physical golfing challenge and as well as a mental one”. Once you have been here, you will want to return again and again for the ultimate test of your golfing skills. The course is breathtakingly beautiful and also tough.