Golf in Malaysia

Before we arrived in Malaysia, we didn’t know quite what to expect from the golf. We knew we wanted to spend some time traveling slowly through the country, but we hadn’t yet discovered just how much golf there was to explore.

Over three months, we played our way from the busy golf courses of Kuala Lumpur to the rainforest-framed fairways of Langkawi and the coastal resorts of Johor and Desaru. Along the way, we played historic clubs, resort courses, quirky hidden gems, and a few courses we still talk about today.

Golf in Malaysia turned out to be one of the biggest surprises of our time in the country — and one of the most diverse golfing experiences of our travels.

Kuala Lumpur Golf Guides

We landed in the vibrant capital of Kuala Lumpur, where we rented a flat and finally had a home base after months on the move. James was especially thrilled to finally hang his golf shirts in a closet again!

Kuala Lumpur quickly became one of the highlights of our Malaysian golf journey, with an impressive variety of courses ranging from public courses to prestigious private clubs.

Our individual golf guides cover everything we learned about playing golf in Kuala Lumpur — from where to play and how to get there to green fees, visitor access, caddies, buggies and our tips for traveling golfers.

Below, you’ll find the courses we played, along with our firsthand experiences.

Where to Stay in Kuala Lumpur

We recommend two areas as convenient bases for playing golf in Kuala Lumpur: Bukit Bintang and KLCC (Kuala Lumpur City Centre). Both put you close to plenty of restaurants, sights and transport options, while providing convenient access to the golf courses.

Use our map below to explore hotels, apartments and other accommodation options in and around these areas.

Golf in Langkawi

After a scenic journey north by train, bus, and ferry—golf clubs in tow—we reached the lush island of Langkawi.

Langkawi may be better known for its beaches, islands, and rainforest than its golf, but we discovered some memorable courses here too.

Where to Stay in Langkawi

Where you stay on Langkawi really depends on what kind of trip you’re looking for.

Stay Near the Golf Course: Datai Bay

If playing The Els Club Teluk Datai is your main reason for visiting, staying in Datai Bay puts you close to the course and some seriously impressive luxury resorts, including The Datai and The Andaman.

Stay in Pantai Cenang: Our Choice

For us, Pantai Cenang was a better fit. This is where we based ourselves, with much more accommodation, restaurants, and options to suit our budget — and plenty to explore beyond golf.

Use our map below to explore accommodation options around Langkawi.

Golf in Johor and the Desaru Coast

From Langkawi, we flew south to Johor Bahru, where we continued our Malaysian golf journey. We played a round at Impian Emas Golf & Country Club before heading to the Desaru Coast, where we finished our Malaysian golf journey at The Els Club Desaru Coast.

Where to Stay on the Desaru Coast

If you’re playing The Els Club Desaru Coast, staying within the resort enclave makes the most sense. It saves you the long journey from Johor Bahru or Singapore and puts you right on the coast, with the golf and beach resorts close by.

Use our map below to explore accommodation options on the Desaru Coast.

🇲🇾 Slow Travel & Sightseeing in Malaysia

Golf was only one part of what made our time in Malaysia unforgettable. From sipping kopi in cozy cafés to wandering vibrant street markets and exploring lush jungles, we discovered there was plenty to experience beyond the golf course.

Want to explore more of Malaysia with us? Check out our Slow Travel in Malaysia page for the places, food, culture, and experiences that made our time in the country so memorable.

👉 Explore Slow Travel in Malaysia

Planning a Golf Trip to Malaysia?

Planning to play golf in Malaysia? From choosing when to play and understanding the cost of a round to figuring out access and getting around with golf clubs, here are some of the practical things we learned while playing golf across Malaysia.

When Is the Best Time to Play Golf in Malaysia?

Malaysia is a year-round golf destination, but the weather can vary quite a bit depending on where you are in the country. Humidity is high, and rain is always a possibility, particularly during the wetter months.

We spent three months in Malaysia from May through July and have also visited in August. One thing we quickly learned was to keep an eye on the afternoon skies! We often had sunny mornings that were perfect for golf, followed by a tropical downpour later in the day.

For that reason, we found early morning tee times to be a good choice. You’ll still have the heat and humidity to contend with, but you have a better chance of getting your round in before the afternoon rain rolls through. Of course, Malaysia is a big country, and the weather varies between regions. If you’re planning a golf trip, it’s worth checking the typical conditions for the specific area you’ll be visiting rather than relying on a single “best season” for the whole country.

How Much Does Golf Cost in Malaysia?

One of the things we enjoyed about golfing in Malaysia was the range of prices. You can find very affordable public golf, while rounds at prestigious clubs and resort courses can cost considerably more.

As a general guide, we found green fees ranging from around MYR 150 to MYR 450 at many of the courses we played, although premium courses such as KLGCC and The Els Club can be significantly more.

Caddies, buggies and other extras may be included in the green fee at some courses, while others charge separately. Weekend and peak-period rates can also be higher.

For the most useful information, check our individual golf guides above for current green fees and details about what’s included.

How Easy Is It to Play Golf in Malaysia?

We found playing golf in Malaysia to be surprisingly easy — and we were made to feel welcome everywhere we played. From public courses to prestigious clubs and resort courses, the staff was friendly and helpful, and English was widely spoken.

Booking a tee time was generally straightforward, although the process varied from course to course. Some could be booked online, while others required contacting the club directly. Hotel concierges and resorts can also help arrange tee times, particularly at the more upscale courses.

Another bonus is the sheer variety of golf available. Kuala Lumpur has a great selection of courses within easy reach of the city, while destinations like Langkawi and the Desaru Coast combine golf with a more resort-style experience.

For us, the biggest surprise was simply how warmly we were treated as traveling golfers. Whether we were playing an affordable public course or a high-end resort course, we consistently felt welcome on the fairways.

How Do You Get Around Malaysia With Golf Clubs?

Getting around Malaysia with golf clubs was an adventure in itself! During our travels, we used just about every form of transportation you can think of — public transport, buses, rental cars, trains and ferries — often with our golf clubs in tow. We even sort of hitchhiked our way back to Kuala Lumpur from Carey Island after a round of golf! 😂

For getting to the golf course, we highly recommend using Grab, especially when you’re traveling with your golf gear. It was convenient, widely available, and generally much easier than trying to navigate public transportation with a set of clubs.

If you’re flying into Malaysia with your clubs, another option is to ship them ahead. We’ve used ShipSticks ourselves, and if you use our link and the promo code PUTTERING20, you’ll get 20% off the cost of shipping.

👉 Save 20% here!

Ready to Explore More Golf?

Malaysia was just one stop on our worldwide golf journey. If you’d like to see where else we’ve played, explored, and discovered along the way, there’s plenty more to explore.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase a product or book accommodation through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Your support helps us keep creating free golf and travel content. Thank you for supporting Puttering around the World!