DESTINATION GOLF ASIA 2023
Malaysia
There are two discreet parts to Malaysia which are separated by the South China Sea – East Malaysia and West Malaysia .
It looks like a piece of fruit sliced in two , with its two halves separated by 650 kilometers of water . The western half shares the peninsula with Thailand and Singapore where most of the country ’ s golf courses are located .
While the eastern half covers only a quarter of the island of Borneo and here there are around ten golf courses .
Both territories have similar geographical features , with sweeping coastal plains and densely forested mountain interiors but it ’ s the country ’ s multicultural , multi-ethnic , and multilingual attributes , along with a broad range of diverse cultural and gastronomic customs , that are most admired around the world .
The Malaysian Golf Association dates back to 1929 and there are around 175 clubs affiliated with it in the modern era , drawn from fifteen of the nation ’ s sixteen states and federal territories . The quality of Malaysian courses is relatively high , and it is one of the few destinations in Southeast Asia where golf remains reasonably accessible , unlike Japan and China where demand for golf has pushed green fees sky-high .
Top names like Jack Nicklaus , Arnold Palmer , Ernie Els , Gary Player , Greg Norman , and Max Wexler have all designed courses here utilizing the wonderful natural environment .
The country offers golfers a wide variety of courses , from hilltop vistas surrounded by their famous tea plantations , jungle layouts fringed by palm trees , and tracks laid out beside the South China Sea . You are literally spoilt for choice .
THE POPULAR GOLF DESTINATIONS In the North , there are a few courses around Penang and on the beautiful archipelago of Langkawi .
Or you could head for Ipoh , or up to the Highlands region located in the centre of the country . This is where the ex-pats headed to the tea plantations for a spot of golf and relaxation in cooler temperatures . The vibrant capital Kuala Lumpur has around sixteen golf courses , including several championship courses , and is well worth a visit . To the south , there are courses at Malacca and around Johor on the southern tip of the Malay peninsula , with a causeway connecting it to Singapore .
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