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Tourism Malaysia

Golfing in Malaysia

Malaysia, two-time winner of World Golf Awards for Asia’s Best Golf Destination, has become a favourite getaway among golfers lately. With the appealing combination of great weather, delicious food, exotic culture, natural attractions, value-for-money shopping and modern fairways, it’s easy to see why more golfers are not just lugging their golf bags onto airplanes, but their families as well, for the trip.

But with almost 160 top golf courses in the country to choose from for international play – many of which are award-winning – how does one choose?

Here’s our top five picks of great golfing holidays for everyone in the family.

 

LANGKAWI

A holiday in Langkawi Island conjures images of a tropical sun, white, sandy beaches, swaying coconut trees and the beautiful blue Andaman sea stretched out as far as the eye can see. If beach-side lazing is not your thing, then glide down the island’s mangrove rivers to see the gorgeous limestone landscapes of this UNESCO geopark or trek deep into its mountainous jungles to experience nature at its best. (naturallylangkawi.my)

Best golfing: The award-winning Els Club Teluk Datai, nestled between the Andaman sea and the lush mountains of Langkawi island, features an amazing 18-hole challenge designed by South African legend Ernie Els.

 

GEORGE TOWN, PENANG

This UNESCO Heritage City is brimming with so much life and activity, no visitor will have time to get bored. From a walking tour of its street art to admiring the architectural beauty of its colonial past to sampling local food along with the locals, there’s simply so much to do. Families will especially love its variety of historic and contemporary museums, the ride up to the top of Penang Hill, a city ride on the three-wheeled trishaw and a leisurely stroll in its many gardens. (mypenang.gov.my)

Best golfing: Stay on the island for a round of golf at Penang Golf Club where you will tee off from as high as a hundred metres above the greens and fairways, or cross the iconic Penang Bridge to the mainland’s Bukit Jawi Golf Resort to experience a thrilling game by the lake.

 

KUALA LUMPUR

Voted as one of the world’s best shopping destinations and magnificent cities to visit, Kuala Lumpur is a must-stop on any itinerary to Malaysia. It’s a shopping paradise alright with designer goods going for less due to the currency exchange rate. The best IT gadgets, shoes, fashion and knick knacks are also here to bargain over at the many shopping malls, pop-up bazaars and night markets. (visitkl.gov.my)

Tip: Purchase a Hop On Hop Off pass for the entire family to explore over 50 major sights and attractions in the city so you don’t miss iconic stops such as the Petronas Twin Towers, the Lake Gardens, Independence Square and Bintang Walk. (myhoponhopoff.com)

Best golfing: Tournament Players Club (formerly known as KL Golf Country Club), designed by Australian architect Ted Parslow, is the site of numerous high-profile tournaments, serving up a challenge to golfers with its length, water hazards and sculptured bunkering.

 

KOTA KINABALU, SABAH

Adventure awaits in this Borneo paradise and visitors can take their pick from gentle explorations of the sea world – snorkeling and guided scuba walks at the easily accessible island marine park – to an exhilarating climb up Mount Kinabalu either by trekking through its jungle to the peak or clinging on to its granite surface on the via ferrata walk. (sabahtourism.com).

Best golfing: Play at the Jack Nicklaus-designed Borneo Golf Resort and you’ll have to battle with the ocean winds and the beauty of this seaside location to focus on your game. Alternatively, take your game to the wetlands and tee off at Dalit Bay Golf Country Club, bordered by the Tambalang and Mengkabong rivers.

 

KUCHING, SARAWAK

The word “Kuching” is Malaysian for cat, but it is the orangutan that has attracted many to this Borneo state, specifically to the rehabilitation centres of this beloved great ape. Other natural attractions easily accessible from Kuching city – Bako National Park, the wetlands of Sibu Laut and Salak rivers and the Bau limestone caves – will keep the family firmly occupied. (sarawaktourism.com)

Best golfing: Enjoy a round of golf in the shadows of the Santubong Mountain where Arnold Palmer has designed a fantastic course around rocky outcrops, ponds, mangrove forests and the South China Sea.

 

For more information on Malaysia’s golf courses, visit playmalaysiagolf.com or malaysia.travel.

 

Categories
Tourism Malaysia

10 Day 9 Night Sabah and Kuala Lumpur Golf Package

DAY 1 ARRIVE KOTA KINABALU

Arrive Kota Kinabalu. Meet transfer to Hyatt Regency Kinabalu.

DAY 2 IN KOTA KINABALU

Full Day Kinabalu Park Poring Hotspring

Nominated by UNESCO as a World Heritage, Kinabalu Park is one of the most biologically diverse areas in the world. Here, Mt. Kinabalu, the highest mountain in Malaysia towers majestically at 4095 m (13431 feet). From the montane oak-chestnut forest proceed to the lowland dipterocarp forest at Poring. Cross a Canopy walkway to view epiphytes growing on the treetops. If time permits, you will be able to take a dip at the Hot Springs where the sulfuric content of the natural springs are said to have therapeutic value.

DAY 3 IN KOTA KINABALU

Tee off at Sutera Harbour Golf and Country Club.

Designed by leading golf course designer Graham Marsh, Sutera Harbour Golf Club has garnered various awards of distinction. The course is finished with Bermuda grass and strategically challenging bunkers. Playing any combination of 18 holes, golfers will enjoy a par-72 six thousand metre course. The 27-hole championship golf course is beautifully landscaped with undulating terrain and numerous waterways, providing a challenge for both amateurs and top professionals alike. You can enjoy up to 17 hours of golf per day and one of the largest facilities in Malaysia.

DAY 4 KOTA KINABALU – SANDAKAN – KOTA KINABALU

Full Day Sepilok Orang Utan Australian War Memorial Park

Depart by flight to Sandakan.

On arrival, meet transfer to the world’s largest – Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre. The orphaned orang utans from logging sites, plantations and illegal hunting are rehabilitated before being released into the wild. See the primates being fed by the park wardens plus a video show. After lunch, proceed to visit the Australian War Memorial Park before leaving Sandakan for Kota Kinabalu by flight.

DAY 5 IN KOTA KINABALU

Tee off at Dalit Bay Golf and Country Club.

Dalit Bay Golf Club Spa provides the most complete golfing and relaxation experience in Sabah.

Designed by Ted Parslow, this superbly sculptured 18-hole championship course provides the challenger with a stimulating playing experience whilst enhancing the natural beauty and the character of Sabah. Bordered by the Tambalang and Mengkabong rivers with a stunning vista of Mt Kinabalu in the distance, Dalit Bay is a prime wetland course where water comes into play at every hole.

DAY 6 IN KOTA KINABALU

Morning, tee off at Borneo Golf and Country Club.

Class – this is what sets Borneo Golf Country Club apart from the rest of the new generation golf courses in Sabah.

Designed by the “Greatest Golfer of the Century,” this Jack Nicklaus 18-hole signature course plays along a natural lagoon and the coastline of South China Sea. With the spectacular seaside setting and ever-present breeze, its rolling Bermuda fairways and receptive but treacherously fast greens, the layout measuring 6,546 m has all the requirements of a championship course. Fast gaining a well-deserved reputation as the best new course in the country, Borneo Golf Country Club has set new standards for golfing in Borneo and is certainly growing to become of the best layout in this region. Perhaps no golfing in Sabah is complete without a round or two at this prestigious Nicklaus course which is fast gaining its name as the finest championship layout in this region.

Transfer to airport for afternoon flight to Kuala Lumpur

Arrive Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). Meet transfer to Parkroyal Hotel – located in Bukit Bintang shopping entertainment area.

DAY 7 IN KUALA LUMPUR

Half Day City Tour (3 hrs)

An orientation tour of Kuala Lumpur where you will be introduced to the humble beginning of the city to what it is today – a modern cosmopolitan city. Major highlights of the tour: National Monument, Sultan Abdul Samad Building – Independence Square, the Selangor Club drive through the green lungs of the city – The Kuala Lumpur Botanical Gardens. Kuala Lumpur Tower – enjoy a panoramic view of the city including the majestic Petronas Twin Tower. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore the city on your own, shopping is great and it is easy to move around with taxis and monorail.

DAY 8 IN KUALA LUMPUR

Tee off at Saujana Golf and Country Club

One of the premier courses in the country.

The Palm Course – Also known as “The Cobra” for its testing and challenging layout. The Cobra is 6565 yards off the blue tees and 6959 yards from the black. One of its holes, the 172 yard (216 yards from the black tees) Par 3, 2nd hole, has been rated as the Most Difficult Hole in Malaysia.

The Bunga Raya Course – Also known as “The Crocodile”. This scenic 18 has a wide expanse of water and undulating greenery that create a sense of freedom and space. At 6400 yards, it looks deceptively easy but many have regretted underestimating it.

DAY 9 IN KUALA LUMPUR

Tee off at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club

Kuala Lumpur Golf Country Club is one of the finest golf clubs in Malaysia.

The course is a parkland style course, with beautiful vibrant coloured landscaping. Designed to reward the intelligent golfer, the length, layout and toughness of this course, offers the potential for major international tournaments. The magnificient golf course features impeccable fairways and greens, challenging elevation changes and an environment that enhances the essence of the local terrain. This 18-hole championship ground was design in full respect of the tranquility and beauty of the experience and to set each player in harmony with nature. If offers a very different character, with natural grasses and wetlands and a sanctuary to provide a habitat to the numerous forms of wildlife and birds in the area.

Golf course designer: Nelson, Wright Haworth

DAY 10 DEPART KUALA LUMPUR

Free till transfer to the airport for departure flight.