The state of Johor is located in the southeast of Peninsular Malaysia and has over 25 golf courses to choose from, each offering a unique experience for experienced golfers. With excellent transport links to Singapore, the rest of Malaysia and further afield, it is the golf destination of choice for many who love the variety, quality and value for money of the region’s courses. We focused on what many consider to be the two major golf clubs in Johor. Both have two championship golf courses to choose from. To ensure that your next luxury golf vacation is the ‘complete package’, our article will also feature our selection of luxury hotels where you can relax and rejuvenate after each round. I am.
The Else Club Desaru Coast
Located in a pristine enclave overlooking the south China sea, The Else Club Desaru Coast is destination golf at its best, offering the best golf and lifestyle experience to anyone who chooses to play at this award-winning facility. Just 90 minutes by ferry from Singapore or Woodlands Malaysia/Singapore checkpoint, this location is a popular choice for Singapore-based golf enthusiasts who want to escape the city and enjoy all that Else Club has to offer. It’s a place. We loved the warm welcome at the luggage storage, the personal lockers in the spacious locker rooms, and the expertly prepared local favorites like roti canai in the clubhouse. Even before we stepped onto the first tee, we were suitably impressed.
Play 18 holes on the Ocean Course
Play 18 holes at a golf course designed by legendary golfer and four-time major champion Ernie Els, aka “The Big Easy” ocean course Packed with character-building choices and challenges. The first choice is to choose between two of the three 9-hole courses that make up the 18 selected courses (Coast, Ridge, and Lake), but the ongoing choices and challenges include both club and shot selection. arises from. success. We played the front nine on the Ridge and the second nine on the Coast and enjoyed moments of success and setbacks in equal measure. Wide fairways and large greens were inviting from the teeing ground and fairway, but strategically placed bunkers and omnipresent water hazards were always waiting to punish wayward shots. Managing five pars during the round was a highlight, but keeping finding bunkers was frustrating and gave him “room for improvement”.
Stay at The Westin Desaru Coast Resort
as a guest of The Westin Desaru Coast Resort We can safely say that this luxurious beachfront resort is the perfect choice for your next golf vacation in Johor. Just 5 minutes from Els Club’s stunning greens, fairways and bunkers, there was literally no time to waste before or after your round. This meant that between our two rounds of golf, we could make the most of our time enjoying everything this luxurious Marriott International Resort has to offer. Would you like to have an early morning coffee on your balcony overlooking the South China Sea? check. Want to enjoy creative cuisine at both Prego and Seasonal Tastes? Check them out. Want to relax, take a swim and rejuvenate with a post-round treatment at Heavenly Spa? Check it out. As you can imagine, our stay at The Westin Desaru provided everything (and more) that we wanted from a golf vacation in Johor. We certainly felt relaxed, refreshed and ready for our next round of golf.
Everything you need to plan your 2024 trip
Play 18 holes on the Valley Course
If you think the bunkers on the ocean course are a problem, Valley course Having 187 bunkers was certainly a concern. Designed by three-time major champion Vijay Singh, this is a stunning, beautifully landscaped course with breathtaking views. The greens were small and required accurate approach shots, which allowed many shots to stay in place even with long irons. The greens were wavy, which was true, so choosing the right line and the right speed will reward you even more. Sure, the GPS in the cart helped with club selection, but playing a course for the first time is always a challenge. We both love the Valley course and can’t wait to come back to make more golf memories in Johor.
Marriott Malaysia & Singapore Charity Golf Day
The first Marriott International Malaysia and Singapore Charity Golf Day was held in June 2024, hosted by The Westin Desaru Coast and Els Club. Golfers from Malaysia, Singapore and further afield enjoyed a golf tournament, gala dinner and charity auction, raising much-needed funds to support UNICEF’s great work in the region. The United Nations Children’s Fund works tirelessly to protect the rights of every child through health care, immunization, safe water, sanitation, nutrition and education. This brand new initiative has been a huge success and we can’t wait to see what next year has in store.
Forest City Golf Resort
It’s no surprise since one of Malaysia’s finest golf clubs is located just a stone’s throw from the Singapore border. Forest City Golf Resort Since opening its doors to the public in September 2018, it has become a favorite among golf enthusiasts who call Singapore home. The two championship courses are beautifully manicured and maintained, and not a blade of grass would look out of place, but from the moment we arrived we knew we were in for a treat. The only question was whether our golf skills would live up to the expectations created by a first-class environment. What we knew was that we were going to make the most of the opportunity to play these two great 18-hole courses.
Play 18 holes at the Legacy Course
7386 yards of completely pristine land legacy course Forest City was designed by none other than “Golden Bear” Jack Nicklaus. His track record of 117 professional tour wins over a quarter-century, including 18 major championships, made him feel like he was following in the footsteps of golf’s legends. Our experience was challenging, fun, and frustrating all rolled into one. The challenge lay in the course management required when playing such a unique course. I had so much fun playing a round on this beautiful, well-maintained championship course. The frustration came from continually finding a way through the endless stretches of sand that this course is known for. But we enjoyed every moment of our round and can’t wait to go back again.
Stayed at Forest City Golf Hotel
No surprise, as you can see far into the distance over Forest City’s lush fairways. Forest City Golf Hotel It’s definitely the choice for those looking to combine a weekend of championship golf with luxury accommodations. With 298 spacious rooms and suites to choose from, many with golf course views, there’s something for everyone. The two expansive freeform pools were a great place to relax after your round. And for those who still have the energy to burn off, a well-equipped gym is a great option. Check out our competitive ‘Stay and Play’ offers that combine hotel stays with green fees to make your Johor golf holiday not only memorable but also great value for money.
Play 18 holes on a classic course
After a good rest, the final round was a slightly shorter but equally challenging course. classic course Forest City features 7,186 yards of manicured fairways, greens, and bunkers, creating a unique course that is fun to play. The second of three courses planned for development at Forest City will open to the public in August 2019 and is the work of golf course architect Liang Guokun. We really enjoyed the classic course, which was a little less difficult and a little shorter, but like any round of golf there were challenges to overcome and we tackled them head-on. Having two such great 18-hole golf courses in the same club is luxury golf at its finest, and both days we visited tee times were filled with excited golfers from near and far. No wonder it was fully booked.
Johor’s strategic location and combination of first-class golf courses and luxury hotels means that golf-based tourism will continue to thrive in the region. The high quality of courses and hotels on offer is undeniable, and when combined with excellent value for money, makes Johor the perfect choice for your next luxury golf vacation.
paul eyeers
Paul Eyers is the co-founder of Vegan Food Quest and writes about luxury hotels and resorts in Southeast Asia with a focus on sustainable, eco-travel and vegan travel. Currently based in Malaysia, Paul also writes about sporting events and the region’s finest golf courses.
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