Discover the Malaysia That Suits Your Game: Golf in the Highlands, Islands, Jungle and City

First published in the mid-2010s. The tournaments described here belong to that time; the courses featured were checked in September 2026, and the editor's updates below note what has changed.

If you're looking for a romantic getaway and are also a golf fan, Malaysia may not be the first country that springs to mind, but it has plenty of romance as well as golfing diversity in a single destination. Situated close to the Equator, Malaysia offers four different kinds of golf experience which can be enjoyed year-round: in the highlands and the jungle, by the beach and in the city.

Combined, or taken separately, there are few golf destinations that can offer such variety. The courses are also easily accessible, allowing for an exploration of Malaysia through its golf courses in the highlands, by sun-drenched beaches, surrounded by tropical rainforest in an eco-friendly environment, or simply "downtown", close to all the action. By day there's fascinating sightseeing and a wide range of experiences to enjoy off the course, and the après-golf scene is just as memorable, with sophisticated living, romance and exquisite food served up amid the cultural diversity that lies at the heart of this multicultural country.

Quality courses in breathtaking surroundings

Malaysia has an impressive line-up of top-quality golf courses, many created by notable designers, in locations ranging from the tropical resort islands of Penang and Langkawi to the suburbs of the capital, Kuala Lumpur, and other cities; from the mountains of the Genting Highlands to the rainforests of Sabah and Sarawak. Mixing and matching these vastly different experiences is remarkably easy.

The best have played Malaysia

Visitors from around the world can play on the same courses as their golfing heroes and heroines. As Yani Tseng, then the world's number one female player, said of Malaysia: "I would like to encourage everyone to visit this beautiful country, to enjoy golf on the many beautiful golf courses located throughout the country but also to take advantage of the many culinary delights and shopping facilities as well as the eco-friendly national parks. Come and find out for yourself – you will not regret it."

Few people realise that golf has been played here longer than almost anywhere else in the region. Malaysia is often credited as the birthplace of the Asian circuit, after five-time Open Champion Peter Thomson suggested the idea to Malaysia's founding father and then Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman. A keen golfer himself, the Tunku was also a firm believer in the value of golf on the diplomatic circuit. The first Malaysian Open, in 1962, was won by Frank Phillips of Australia; since then, the likes of Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Seve Ballesteros, Vijay Singh, Lee Westwood, John Daly and Tiger Woods, as well as many others, have graced the country's shores. Malaysia hosted the World Cup at The Mines in 1999, and many stars competed.

When this article was first written, Malaysia had three annual tournaments co-sanctioned by the LPGA and the European and Asian Tours, and from 2010 to 2018 it was also host of the only PGA Tour event in South East Asia, when top-ranked golfers from the FedEx Cup took part, a month after the Tour Championship, in the CIMB Asia Pacific Classic, a no-cut tournament with a field of 40 players.

In its inaugural year, 2010, it was held at The Mines Resort & Golf Club and played shortly after the Sime Darby LPGA event, another no-cut event, in which 40 of the world's top women golfers competed. Ben Crane took the title. In 2011, some of Asia's star players, including Thongchai Jaidee, Jeev Milka Singh, Arjun Atwal and Jyoti Randhawa, were joined by the likes of Luke Donald, Martin Kaymer, Charl Schwartzel, Rory McIlroy, Louis Oosthuizen, KJ Choi, Ernie Els and Padraig Harrington, as well as top women golfers Yani Tseng, Ai Miyazato, Natalie Gulbis, Paula Creamer, Michelle Wie and Laura Davies. All played on the immaculate courses of the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club and The Mines Resort & Golf Club, which sits beside a lake near the capital that was once the world's largest open-cast tin mine.

Winners of the Maybank Malaysian Open in 2012 and 2013 were Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa and Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand respectively, while Korea's Inbee Park won the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia and Nick Watney of the USA the CIMB Classic, both in 2012.

Editor's update: These tournaments are now history. The Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia was last played in 2017 and the CIMB Classic in 2018. The LPGA now visits Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club for the Maybank Championship, and the Malaysian Open is played on the Asian Tour.

Enjoy a warm welcome

With hundreds of golf clubs across the country, you won't have to travel far to find a wonderful new golf experience, and you will still have plenty of time to enjoy the many other delights on offer in every region of Malaysia. The country has a good transport system and frequent flights connecting Peninsular Malaysia with the eastern states of Sarawak and Sabah, not to mention Langkawi, Penang and Johor, allowing golfers to mix and match their golfing holiday in a number of exciting combinations.

Aside from the traditional welcome and warm Malaysian hospitality, visitors can also enjoy a little romance and absorb the culture of this unique, multiracial country. English is widely spoken and is the common language for many golfers, which makes travelling all the more comfortable. With incredible culinary diversity, every palate can be catered for, and the food is at once reassuring and exotic.

Malaysia offers a blend of three of Asia's oldest civilisations, Malay, Chinese and Indian, as well as historic Malacca, where the descendants of the Portuguese still proudly celebrate the traditions and customs of their forefathers. Malacca, like George Town on the island of Penang, known as the "Pearl of the Orient", is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Take time, and leave your worries behind

Beyond great golfing, allow yourself extra days to get the most out of your visit to Malaysia. The additional attractions of spa treatments, fishing, snorkelling, jungle trekking and shopping, along with the plethora of culinary delights, will make your golfing trip unlike any other. There is wildlife to be enjoyed amid exotic surroundings, both on and off the courses.

Malaysia's place among the world's most-visited countries in UNWTO rankings of the time bore testimony to what this unique and vibrant country has to offer.

To encourage golfing visitors, the Malaysia Golf Tourism Association was established in 2011, with a base in Kuala Lumpur, to help visitors enjoy the best possible golf experience.

Malaysia's highland golf experience

Just 45 minutes from Kuala Lumpur, Awana Genting Highlands Golf & Country Resort is a tranquil escape 3,000 feet up on Malaysia's longest mountain range. Besides its 18-hole golf course, you can take a cable car ride up the mountain or explore the surrounding ancient rainforest.

Editor's update: The resort now trades as Resorts World Awana, and its 18-hole course reopened in 2026 after its most extensive redevelopment since it opened in 1986. The Awana SkyWay cable car now links it with the hilltop resort.

Malaysia's tropical island golf experience

The opening of The Els Club Teluk Datai on Langkawi in late 2013 drew fresh attention to the island as a wonderful tropical golfing experience. In Penang, Bukit Jawi Golf Resort features two 18-hole layouts, the Lake and Hill courses, as well as a 48-bay driving range and practice putting green, leisure facilities including a swimming pool, tennis and badminton courts, and an on-site 66-room hotel.

Golfing in Borneo is also just as exotic as it sounds. Nestled within Karambunai Resorts in Sabah is Nexus Golf Resort Karambunai's 18-hole course, set alongside the South China Sea. The course is player-friendly, with wide landing areas and contoured fairways, while water provides the element of risk and reward. In contrast, Sabah Golf & Country Club is the oldest in the East Malaysian state. Originally opened in 1976 with a design by Robert Muir Graves, it was remodelled in 2004 by Nelson and Haworth, and is reputed to be one of the toughest golf courses in South East Asia. The course is set amid a residential development, with hilly terrain and undulating fairways, and hazards including lakes and hidden bunkers.

Also in Sabah is the 27-hole Sutera Harbour Marina, Golf & Country Club. Its three nine-hole courses were designed by Graham Marsh and built on undulating reclaimed land; they vary in difficulty, and are open for play by members or guests of The Pacific Sutera Hotel and The Magellan Sutera Resort. Night golf is also available on 20 holes, while other facilities include a 104-berth deep-water marina, 14 restaurants and bars, and a secluded island getaway. The resort also operated the heritage North Borneo Railway steam train into the heart of Borneo.

Editor's update: The North Borneo Railway steam service described here stopped running during the Covid-19 pandemic. A heritage train trip on the line is now sold by a separate operator, but at last report a diesel locomotive was standing in while the steam engine awaited maintenance.

Malaysia's jungle golf experience

Ayer Keroh Country Club (AKCC), in Malacca, is one of Malaysia's oldest country clubs. The 27-hole golf course is cut out of virgin jungle, yet is close to the North–South Expressway with hotels nearby. Golfers share the course with wildlife including birds, monkeys, squirrels and monitor lizards that live in the jungle lining the fairways. Wayward shots are punished not only by the jungle but also by Ayer Keroh Lake, which comes into play on several holes.

Encompassing over 1,000 acres and sculpted from former tin-mining land, the 27-hole Clearwater Sanctuary Golf Resort is acclaimed as one of the region's most beautiful golf courses. With its pristine fairways and lush greens lined with majestic raintrees, meandering around vast lakes, this golfing retreat is also a sanctuary for a rich variety of wildlife. It was among the few golf resorts in South East Asia to join the Audubon International programme, which promotes ecologically sound land management, conservation of natural surroundings and the protection and enhancement of flora, fauna and water resources. The championship course comprises the Raintree Nine and Lakes Nine, while the Wetlands Nine is a boutique par-3 course.

Editor's update: Clearwater Sanctuary, near Batu Gajah in Perak, still takes bookings, but recent visitor reviews report uneven course maintenance and days when not all 27 holes are open, so check conditions before you plan a round.

Malaysia's golf in the city experience

Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club (KLGCC) is a private golf and country club just eight kilometres from the capital's business district, allowing visitors onto its East Course, and members' guests onto the West Course. It hosted the Maybank Malaysian Open in 2010 and 2011, and while it originally opened in 1991, both courses have since been renovated. The West Course demands straight play, with narrow, well-protected landing areas, while the East Course is parkland-style and features wildlife-rich wetlands and natural grasses.

Founded in 1984, the Saujana Golf and Country Club sits alongside The Saujana Hotel Kuala Lumpur, amid two scenic 18-hole golf courses, the Palm and the Bunga Raya, both designed by Ronald Fream. Saujana has regularly been voted among Malaysia's top golf clubs, as well as being named one of the 100 best golf resorts in the world, and for good reason: its two courses stretch over 400 acres and are exciting to play for beginners and pros alike. Saujana has hosted many international events, such as the Malaysian Open, the Eisenhower Trophy and the Espirito Santo Trophy.

The Kota Permai Golf & Country Club has a magnificent championship course designed by Ross Watson. The front nine traverses relatively flat terrain and features scenic water hazards, and the par-4 2nd is acknowledged as one of Malaysia's best golf holes. The visually stunning inward nine climbs and drops with the undulating terrain, and the par-5 18th is one of the great finishing holes in Malaysia. The club also has a 60-bay driving range and extensive leisure facilities, including an Olympic-sized lap pool.

Palm Garden Golf Club, south of the city on the way to Kuala Lumpur's airport, reopened with a testing new design by renowned Australian architect Ted Parslow, featuring undulations, mounds and swales. Meanwhile, Templer Park Country Club is another "must visit" course, with its spectacular limestone backdrop and a host of monkeys who appear to enjoy the surroundings as much as the golfers. A former host of the Malaysian Open, it was designed with input from the famous Japanese golfer Jumbo Ozaki, and is kept in fine condition.

Impian Golf Club's design was inspired by the rainforest, and its tropical parkland-style championship course blends naturally with the surrounding lush greenery. An easy drive from KL, it encompasses 142 acres on a flat plateau, the layout bordered by trees and punctuated by climbs and drops. Its receptive, fast greens are some of the best in Malaysia.

Located 18 kilometres from Kuala Lumpur's centre, Kelab Golf Perkhidmatan Awam (KGPA) was established in 1989 and is a 27-hole golf course. The championship courses, Hills and Lakes, feature lush, rolling fairways lined with rough out-of-bounds areas, elevated tees and landscaped surroundings. The third nine, the Forest, caters for intermediate and senior golfers but is equally challenging.

Malaysia's frontier town golf experience

Close to Singapore, in Johor, Horizon Hills is an 18-hole design by Australian Ross Watson set on 200 acres, where lush greenery meets serene lakes. Many holes feature dramatic changes in elevation from tee to green. Classical bunkering with sweeping sand faces, strategically located cascading waterfalls, pristine ponds and lakes feature throughout the course, and the palatial, modern clubhouse includes an Olympic-sized swimming pool.

Malaysia lends itself to pairing a round with Malacca's heritage streets, the cool air and rainforest of the highlands or the wildlife of Borneo, and Pack Ya Bags designs tours and itineraries on the ground there for travellers from Australia and New Zealand. Share your plans with the team at info@packyabags.com

Editor's note. This article brings together UTM's original Discover the Malaysia That Suits Your Game feature, first published in three parts, into a single piece. Consolidated and fact-checked on 22 September 2026.