Golf Courses in Malaysia
Malaysia has steadily built a reputation as one of Southeast Asia’s most diverse and rewarding golf destinations. From championship layouts designed by world-renowned architects to hidden gems tucked within lush rainforests, the country offers an exceptional variety of golfing experiences. Courses crafted by legends such as Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, and Ernie Els showcase thoughtful design, strategic challenges, and immaculate conditioning—each reflecting Malaysia’s unique natural landscape.
What truly sets Malaysia apart is its remarkable terrain. You can tee off amid cool highland breezes in places like Cameron Highlands, play alongside dramatic ocean views in Langkawi, or take on meticulously maintained parkland courses just minutes from Kuala Lumpur’s vibrant city center. Many layouts weave through palm plantations, tropical jungles, and rolling hills, creating a sense of immersion in nature that’s both tranquil and exhilarating.
Off the course, Malaysia offers a rich cultural blend that enhances every golf journey. After your round, indulge in a culinary adventure featuring Malay, Chinese, and Indian influences, or unwind at world-class resorts known for their comfort and service. Whether you’re exploring modern cityscapes or relaxing on pristine beaches, the experience extends far beyond the fairways.
Malaysia’s golf scene caters to all skill levels, with a wide range of courses from beginner-friendly layouts to championship venues that test even the most experienced players. Combined with a warm tropical climate that supports year-round play, it’s an ideal destination for both short getaways and extended golf holidays.
More than just a place to play, Malaysia is where golf meets culture, nature, and hospitality in perfect harmony. If you’re looking for a destination that offers variety, quality, and unforgettable scenery, Malaysia is ready to deliver your next great golf escape.
99 East Golf Club is a Ross Watson–designed 18-hole championship course blending Australian/Scottish links inspiration with distinctly Malaysian rice-terrace landscapes. Set between Kuah and Pantai Cenang, the routing stretches 7,330 yards across rolling hills, orchard valleys, wetlands, and elevated vantage points overlooking the Andaman Sea. The first five holes climb to the course’s highest ridge before descending through forested slopes toward lakes and rice terraces. Fairways use Zeon Zoysia and TifEagle greens, supported by Troon Golf maintenance standards. Although only nine refurbished holes are currently open, the course remains visually striking with panoramic island views. Facilities include a temporary pro shop at Fat Frog, driving range, putting green, club rentals, and dining at the Fat Frog café.
Gunung Raya Golf Resort is an 18-hole, par-72 championship course designed by Max Wexler, built across 300 acres of former rubber plantation at the base of Langkawi’s tallest mountain. Playing 6,377 meters, the course features wide Bermuda fairways, elevated tees with panoramic mountain views, and strategic bunkering across gently rolling valley terrain. The front nine offers generous corridors ideal for resort golfers, while the back nine introduces more water hazards, including the demanding 500-meter par-5 10th bordered by water left and a ridge right. The closing 18th plays uphill to an elevated green requiring a precise lofted approach. Facilities include a clubhouse café and patio, driving range, putting green, showers, lockers, and a golf shop.
Borneo Golf & Country Club is a signature Jack Nicklaus semi‑links championship course set along the wild South China Sea coastline. Opened between 1995–1997, the layout stretches over expansive lagoons, windswept fairways, dense waste areas and large Nicklaus‑style bunkers. The natural lagoon system influences strategy on multiple holes, especially on the inward nine where water carries become dramatic under strong ocean winds. Known as one of Sabah’s most visually striking and challenging designs, the course blends seaside views with tournament‑level shot demands, supported by strong facilities including full clubhouse amenities, practice grounds and adjacent accommodation.
Dalit Bay Golf & Country Club is a riverside championship course by Ted Parslow, masterfully routed between the Tambalang and Mengkabong rivers with uninterrupted views of Mount Kinabalu. Spanning 400 acres of tropical wetlands, mangrove corridors and coastal rainforest, the course integrates water into 13 of its 18 holes, creating a serene yet strategic environment. Wide fairways contrast with tightly bunkered green complexes and natural wetland hazards. Its aquatic driving range, luxury clubhouse and direct integration with the Shangri‑La Rasa Ria Resort position Dalit Bay as Sabah’s premier resort‑golf experience, celebrated for both scenery and technical design.
Keningau Golf & Country Club is a cool‑climate highland course located 1,000 ft above sea level in the Crocker Range. Established in 1966 and later improved during Vijay Singh’s residency (1985–1987), the parkland layout features rolling terrain, forested corridors and water hazards shaped by natural creeks and ponds. Its elevation offers cooler temperatures and mountain breezes, giving the course a unique playing character compared to lowland Sabah layouts. Blending mature trees with undulating fairways and spacious vistas, Keningau remains a beloved, traditional members’ club known for warm hospitality and a tranquil interior‑Sabah atmosphere.
Kudat Golf Club, founded in 1906 and once affiliated with St. Andrews, is Sabah’s oldest golf course and a living piece of Malaysian golf heritage. Upgraded into a full 18‑hole layout in 2002, it now combines a scenic modern coastal front nine around Marudu Bay with a vintage inland back nine shaped by natural earth mounding, mature trees and narrow driving corridors. The course is heavily influenced by sea winds and offers breathtaking views of Mount Kinabalu on clear days. Kudat is a walking‑only layout with traditional club culture, complemented by an adjacent marina resort known for fresh local seafood.
Lahad Datu Golf & Country Club is Sabah’s first all‑Bermuda layout and one of its longest at 6,325 meters. Opened in 1994, the course sits within vast oil‑palm plantation terrain, using natural land contours to create elevation movement, pond crossings and stream‑lined hazards. Water is a recurring theme on the course, culminating in the dramatic signature 17th—an island‑green par‑3 demanding precision to a narrow plateau surrounded by flowing water. While remote and occasionally affected by monsoon rainfall, the design offers a distinctive blend of plantation landscape, broad fairways and challenging water‑rich shot‑making that rewards accuracy and course management.
Opened in 1996 and set within the Nexus Resort complex, this 18‑hole par‑72 by Ronald Fream flows from jungle foothills toward Karambunai’s white‑sand beach. Rolling fairways, well‑contoured greens and a network of small lakes and waterways shape strategy, while ocean breezes add variety from round to round. Repeated award‑winner and former host of the Malaysian Amateur Open, it delivers a resort‑friendly experience without losing shot‑value.
Kota Kinabalu’s historic championship venue (opened 1976; remodelled 2004 by Nelson & Haworth) is famed for a stout 6,335‑meter par‑72 routing of hilly terrain, undulating fairways, lakes and well‑hidden bunkers. With a back‑tee course rating around 73.3, shifting winds and demanding green surrounds, SGCC rewards precise tee‑to‑green control and remains a must‑play for serious golfers visiting Sabah.
Part of Sutera Harbour Resort, this 27‑hole Graham Marsh design (Lake, Heritage, Garden) plays between the South China Sea and city skyline just minutes from the airport. Bermuda‑grass fairways weave around extensive lakes and coastal edges, with signature oceanfront holes and a famed short par‑4 (Garden #24). Floodlit night golf, full academy practice facilities and direct access to resort, spa and marina amenities make it one of Malaysia’s most complete golf experiences.
Founded in 1954, KGC operates a compact 11‑hole par‑35 course on 40 acres near Tanjung Aru beach—six par‑4s, four par‑3s and one par‑5 with corridor‑style fairways, quick undulating greens and strategic bunkering. Club tradition, ocean breezes and proximity to Shangri‑La Tanjung Aru create a distinctive quick‑play Kota Kinabalu experience; mid‑week public play is available with handicap and insurance requirements.
Set in the Crocker Range highlands east of Kota Kinabalu, Tambunan GC offers a tranquil, scenic test across narrow fairways, frequent doglegs and well‑placed hazards. At roughly 5,353 yards from the blue tees (par 72), elevation changes and swirling mountain winds keep club selection honest. A simple clubhouse and practice greens complete a relaxed, locals‑favorite experience in the hills.
Eastwood Valley Golf & Country Club is one of Sarawak’s premier golf resorts, located just outside Miri in the north of Malaysian Borneo. Opened in 2005 and designed by Douglas Nickels of Nickels Golf Group, the course is set across gently rolling terrain, light tropical forest, and landscaped lakes—offering a peace and scenic alternative to the region’s rugged eco-tourism landscapes. The club features two distinct nine-hole courses—the Miri Nine and the City Nine—each delivering a unique yet complementary playing experience. The Miri Nine is known for its tranquil setting, with tree-lined fairways and a relaxed layout that emphasizes accuracy and course management, making it enjoyable for golfers of all levels. In contrast, the City Nine offers a more dynamic and strategic challenge, with bolder design elements and open views, rewarding confident shot-making while remaining accessible. With consistently high course conditions, proximity to Miri International Airport, and integrated resort facilities, Eastwood Valley is an excellent choice for leisure golfers, corporate groups, and combined golf-and-nature itineraries in Sarawak.
Damai delivers one of Sarawak’s most distinctive golfing personalities—a championship landscape where rainforest meets shoreline. Carved between river mouths, tidal wetlands and the South China Sea, the course incorporates shifting coastal winds, natural water channels, and rugged vegetation into a layout that changes character throughout the round. Broad, breezy seaside corridors contrast with denser rainforest stretches, creating alternating demands on trajectory control and strategic positioning. The environment is inherently dramatic: waves in the distance, mangrove edges, and humid jungle air forming a compelling sensory backdrop. Damai’s design celebrates Sarawak’s natural diversity, offering golfers a rare blend of coastal beauty and inland mystery.
Sarawak’s premier dual‑course complex, Kelab Golf Sarawak pairs two contrasting 18s—Matang and Santubong—into one cohesive championship destination. Fairways weave through wide riverside corridors, mounded parkland shaping and subtle elevation changes, while prevailing coastal winds influence shot selection throughout the round. Strategic waterways and lakes add texture without overwhelming playability, giving both courses a tournament‑ready rhythm suited to mixed‑skill groups and competitive events alike. Mature vegetation softens the landscape, offering clean sightlines and a grounded, classic Malaysian golf aesthetic. As Kuching’s flagship golf venue, KGS balances heritage, accessibility and strategy in a way that consistently appeals to serious players and traveling golfers.
A historic seaside members’ club on the edge of the South China Sea, Miri Golf Club blends vintage charm with wind‑shaped strategy. Its routing moves through firm, gently undulating fairways lined with coastal pines, with ocean breezes defining the day‑to‑day character of the course. The design emphasizes thoughtful placement: low‑running shots, trajectory adjustments and intelligent navigation of crosswinds reward seasoned players, while the club’s understated, traditional atmosphere preserves its old‑world appeal. With its combination of heritage, sea views and simplicity, Miri offers a refreshing, classic style of golf rarely found in newer Malaysian developments.
Borneo Highlands Resort delivers a unique cool-climate mountain golf experience atop the Sarawak–Kalimantan border. The course is carved naturally into highland terrain at over 1,000 meters elevation, with fairways framed by rainforest, mist-filled valleys, and dramatic ridgelines. Narrow landing zones, jungle boundaries, and plateau greens emphasize strategic, accuracy-driven play. Morning rounds often include drifting clouds and wildlife ambience. The eco-resort setting features rustic lodges, wellness amenities, organic gardens, and nature trails, making it a tranquil retreat for golfers seeking adventure and serenity away from city courses.
A’Famosa’s three Ross Watson nines—Rockies, Palm and Crocodile—deliver a lively resort championship with gentle elevation, sculpted bunkering and abundant water. Tournament play often pairs Rockies and Palm: bold visuals, pot‑bunker clusters and elevated greens keep approaches honest, while the Crocodile Nine adds its quirky island‑green drama by the famed reptile pit. Full‑service resort facilities and easy North–South Highway access make A’Famosa a Malacca favorite for mixed‑ability groups.
Opened in 1964 and carved from virgin jungle, AKCC’s 27 holes (Governor’s, Tunku’s, Ghafar’s) are a study in old‑school Malaysian shot‑making—narrow, tree‑lined fairways, elevation swings and greens with slippery contours. Lakes pinch multiple angles, but the lasting memory is length and resolve: the Tunku Nine’s 604‑meter closing par‑5 ranks among the longest in the country. A mature, nature‑rich atmosphere and solid practice/clubhouse amenities round out Melaka’s most historic venue.
South of Melaka near the Johor border, Gemas offers an enjoyable par‑72 routed through rolling, palm‑fringed hills. The front nine plays over more mountainous ground with few hazards; the back nine introduces lakes and sterner carries, notably at 16. Conditioning is simple but the vibe is authentic—clubhouse lodging, local cuisine, and a peaceful forest‑reserve backdrop create a relaxed, affordable golf escape.
A regular Asian Tour Q‑School venue, Orna’s East/West championship combo stretches to 6,697 meters of heavily mounded fairways, split‑fairway gambles and bold green complexes. Signature moments include the par‑3 12th to a small island green and the par‑5 16th threading a lake from tee to green. With generous corridors but demanding approaches, Orna rewards committed shot‑making—and keeps the lights on with night golf across much of the West Nine.
Tiara’s 27 holes by Nelson & Haworth are anchored by the superb Woodlands Nine—an undulating rainforest loop where tight, tree‑framed corridors and streams shape every decision. Meadow supports with broader sightlines and a strong water‑laced finish, while Lakes adds scenic carries and resort‑friendly variety. Large, well‑kept greens and good practice/clubhouse facilities make Tiara a versatile, year‑round choice just outside Melaka.
A 36‑hole resort on former palm estate with two distinct 18s. The longer Hill Course rides undulating ground with elevated greens and fewer water carries; the Lake Course tightens the test with island‑green drama and hazards in play on many holes. Zoysia fairways and Tifdwarf greens, a 48‑bay range, and full family facilities make Bukit Jawi one of the North’s most versatile venues.
Designed by J. Michael Poellot (1999), Kulim’s par‑72 championship layout blends broad, rolling corridors with strategically placed lakes and bunkers. The signature 6th is a demanding uphill par‑4 flanked by pines and palms with water and sand guarding a narrow green. A complete clubhouse and sports complex support an all‑day destination 15–20 minutes from Butterworth.
Penang Island’s sole championship 18: a Robert Trent Jones Jr. design (1984; revamped 2012) defined by sharp doglegs, dramatic downhill tee shots and compact, cleverly bunkered greens. Accuracy trumps power on this urban‑tropical hillside, host of the 1992 Malaysian Open. Practice range and city‑side convenience complete the package.
The preferred championship side at Kepala Batas: long, contoured fairways, smaller targets and water on many holes demand disciplined approach play. Upgrades since 2019 improved surfaces and drainage; today the East plays as a friendly‑but‑serious test with full resort facilities and generous practice grounds.
Graham Marsh’s West mirrors the East in look and feel but emphasizes doglegs and larger water hazards, especially on the back nine. Wide zoysia fairways keep tee shots welcoming while heavily bunkered greens demand precise trajectories. Periodic upgrades and ongoing works have seen the resort prioritize East play at times.