Photo: Forest City
Cover Photo: Forest City
Malaysia is home to some of the world's most desirable golf courses with breathtaking views of the mountain, the ocean or the river

1. TPC Kuala Lumpur

Tatler Asia
Photo: TPC Kuala Lumpur
Above Photo: TPC Kuala Lumpur

Originally opened in 1991, the renowned 36-hole golf course was redesigned and completed by Parslow & Winter Gold Design in 2010. Nestled in Bukit Kiara, it was chosen by golfscape, an industry leader in golf services, as one of the Top 100 Golf Courses in the World 2020. Which is not surprising since it regularly hosts international championships including the CIMB Classic, Sime Darby LPGA and Maybank Malaysian Open. 

See also: Tee Off To A Stress-Free Golf Holiday With This Caddy Concierge

2. The Els Club Desaru Coast, Johor

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Photo: The Els Club Desaru Coast
Above Photo: The Els Club Desaru Coast

Also in golfscape's list of the world's 100 top golf courses, the Els Club Desaru Coast boasts 45 holes across two distinctive course: the Ocean Course designed by Ernie Els and The Valley course designed in collaboration with Els’ long standing friend and champion, Vijay Singh. The former is especially picturesque with the South China Sea seemingly lapping onto its course.

3. The Els Club Teluk Datai, Langkawi

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Photo: The Els Club Teluk Datai
Above Photo: The Els Club Teluk Datai

Tucked between the Andaman Sea and an ancient rainforest, the award-winning 18-hole golf course designed by Ernie Els himself has been hailed as one of the most scenic golf courses in the country, if not the most. In a tribute to its lush surrounding, each hole is named after an indigenous wildlife such as the macaques that sometimes pay the golfers a visit. 

That it's located just around the corner from two of Langkawi's most prestigious luxury resorts, the Andaman and the Datai, is a big bonus. 

See also: The Most Idyllic Luxury Holiday Resorts In Malaysia

4. The Mines Resort & Golf Club, Selangor

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Photo: The Mines Resort & Golf Club
Above Photo: The Mines Resort & Golf Club

Built on the world’s largest open cast tin mine in 1992 by founder Tan Sri Lee Kim Yew and architect, Robert Trent Jones Jr, this golf club is so exclusive that membership is by invitation only. In the past, it has hosted such championships as the Women's World Cup of Golf 2000, Carlsberg Malaysian Open 2003 and CIMB Asia Pacific Classic 2010, which was the first PGA Tour event in Southeast Asia.

Related: Tan Sri Lee Kim Yew's 64th Garden Birthday Party

5. Tropicana Golf & Country Resort, Selangor

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Photo: Tropicana Golf & Country Resort
Above Photo: Tropicana Golf & Country Resort

The 27-hole championship fairway has two challenging dream courses designed to the specifications of the United States Golfers Association. The East Course and the West Course feature strategically located sand and water hazards.

At night, golfers can test their skills at the 18 holes lit up by non-glare floodlights similar to the ones used at the Summer Olympics in Barcelona in 1992. 

 

6. Forest City Golf Resort, Johor

'gallery right' 'gallery right'
'gallery right' 'gallery right'
Photo 1 of 2 Jack Nicklaus Legacy Course Photo: Forest City Golf Resort
Photo 2 of 2 Liang Guo Kun (LGK) Classic Course Photo: Forest City Golf Resort

The Forest City Golf Resort boasts two eco-friendly courses, Jack Nicklaus Legacy Course and Liang Guo Kun (LGK) Classic Course consisting a total of 36 holes. Designed by golf legend Jack Nicklaus and his son Jack Nicklaus II, the par-72, 18-holes Legacy Course is turfed with lush paspalum platinum and borders mangrove swamps, large man-made lakes and Pulai River.

The 18-hole LGK Classic Course, which is named after its Chinese designer, stretches across a flat marsh land with lakes and mounds for an undulating scenic golf experience. 

Related: 5 Places To Get Your Wellness On In KL

7. Kota Permai Golf And Country Club, Penang

Tatler Asia
Photo: Kota Permai Golf And Country Club
Above Photo: Kota Permai Golf And Country Club

Opened in March 1998, the 170 acres Kota Permai has won numerous awards such as Best Greens in Malaysia. In the Malay language, ‘permai’ means serene, which depicts the golf and country club's ambience, especially with the various species of trees surrounding it, among them being khaya, oil palm, pine, kayu manis and more. The fairway also has contoured greens that are covered with tifdwarf and waterways that are interconnected, enhancing the layout with a natural golfing experience instead of the usual, stagnant ponds made to provide artificial hazards.

See also: Visit Malaysia 2020: Tatler's Travel Guide To Perlis, Kedah, Perak & Penang

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