The Els Club Desaru Coast is destination golf at its best. Located on Malaysia’s beautiful Desaru Coast, the Ocean Course at The Els Club combines exceptional golf with a stunning setting overlooking the South China Sea.
With three different nine-hole layouts and plenty to see and do beyond the golf course, Desaru Coast is the kind of place that makes you want to stay awhile.
The Els Club Desaru Coast at a Glance
| Course Information | Details |
| Location | Desaru Coast, Johor, Malaysia |
| Course | Ocean Course |
| Designer | Ernie Els |
| Holes / Par | 27 Holes Total (3 distinct 9-hole loops) |
| Tee Options | Multiple tees available |
| Visitor Access | Yes |
| Golf Carts | Shared cart included in green fee |
| Trolleys | Available for hire |
| Caddies | Available for hire |
| Practice Facilities | Driving range, practice bunkers & putting greens |
| Course Type | Ocean / Resort |
| Address | No. 4 Jalan Danau, Desaru Coast, 81930 Desaru, Johor, Malaysia |
| Phone | +60 (7) 878 0000 |
| reservations.ecdc@ elsclubmalaysia.com | |
| Website | Official Els Club Desaru Coast website |
Why We Wanted to Play The Els Club Desaru Coast
After playing The Els Club Teluk Datai, we were really looking forward to continuing our Malaysian golf adventure at The Els Club Desaru Coast.
We had heard that the Ocean Course was going to be something special, but we weren’t expecting quite the welcome we received.
We arrived late in the afternoon with plenty of time before our tee time. The clubhouse itself looked marvelous, but that was just the beginning.
After checking in at the Pro Shop, we headed downstairs to the locker rooms to change.
And that’s when things got a little crazy.
Speechless: The Els Club Desaru Coast Welcome
After changing my shoes in the locker room, I met Menekşe back in the lobby and immediately saw the look of amazement on her face.
“Did you see that?” she excitedly asked me.
See what? I replied curiously.
“Our names!”
She showed me a picture of her locker with her name on it.
Without wasting another second, I ran back into the locker room to see if mine was the same.
Growing up playing muni golf, what stood before me was something I had never seen before — lockers engraved with our names!
What can we say?
We were speechless!
And that turned out to be just the beginning of our experience at The Els Club Desaru Coast.
The Best Practice Facilities of Our Malaysian Golf Trip
Before our round, we wanted to warm up, so we headed to the practice facilities.
With a driving range featuring actual green-sized targets, practice bunkers, and putting greens, The Els Club Desaru Coast easily had some of the best overall practice facilities we’d seen so far on our golfing journey around the world.
For a traveling golfer, this is a nice thing to know before you arrive — you’ll have somewhere worthwhile to warm up before your round.
Playing The Ocean Course at The Els Club Desaru Coast
The Ocean Course is made up of three separate nine-hole courses: the Lakes, the Coast and the Ridge.
We opened with the Ridge nine and finished with the Coast nine.
While we didn’t play the Lakes nine, we can confidently say that you must make sure you include the Coast nine in your rotation.
The Els Club Desaru Coast is also home to the Vijay Singh-designed Valley Course. Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to play it, although we understand that it is a very stern test of golf.
Playing The Ridge Nine at Desaru Coast
The Ridge Nine plays to par 37. I teed it up from the 3,204-metre (3,504-yard) Silver tees, while Menekşe played from the Jade tees.
We were greeted on the first tee by the on-course hospitality manager, who gave us some more tees, double-checked that we had water, and provided us with the target on the first hole.
That level of attention continued throughout our round.
A Simple Test on the Third
Our favorite hole on the Ridge nine came early in our round.
With water on the right, the 427-metre (467-yard) par 4 third hole simply requires a solid tee shot.
Having accomplished our first requirement, we both failed our next test, as Menekşe pushed her second shot and I pulled mine.
This great hole doesn’t ask for anything special from the player, other than two well-struck golf shots.
Go for it!
We’re usually not fans of back-to-back par 5s, but the eighth and ninth holes on the Ridge were an exception.
In our golf travels, it seems all too often that resort courses either take the driver out of your hands on par 5s or take going for it on your second shot out of play.
And sometimes both!
But not the eighth and ninth holes of the Ridge.
At 475 metres (519 yards), the eighth hole is protected by strategically placed bunkers on both sides of the fairway. I’d been hitting my driver well all day, so I confidently found the middle of the fairway.
As we approached our next shots, this was where I fell in love with the hole.
With no greenside water, the hole was whispering “go for it” ever so sweetly in my ear.
So out came the three-wood!
While I ended up short and a little right, it was refreshing to hit 3-wood on a par 5 again.
The ninth gave me another opportunity.
With water down the right and a pair of bunkers guarding the left, normally my “smart” play would have been 3-wood or rescue off the tee.
But at 518 metres (567 yards), there was no doubt that driver was the must-hit club.
Finding the center cut of the fairway, I approached my next shot and was surprised to find that I could again go for the green with confidence.
Thank you, Els Club Desaru Coast, for giving this golfer the opportunity to hit a 3-wood from the fairway again!
Playing The Coast Nine at Desaru Coast
After some early-round stumbles, we both played the second half of the Ridge Nine better, and we were very excited to make the turn and play the Coast Nine.
Located on the opposite side of the beautiful clubhouse, the Coast nine plays to par 36.
We found the first tee and were again warmly greeted by the on-course hospitality manager. He checked how our round was going, made sure we had everything we needed, and sent us on our way with the target and a smile.
And then we came to the second hole.
The Full-Length Bunker
The second hole on the Coast nine is a long 526-metre (575-yard) par 5 that we can promise you will never forget.
Standing on the tee, you can’t help but be wowed by the beautiful fairway-length bunker that runs down the entire left side.
The hole bends left, so the bunker is always in play.
By now, my swing was feeling good, and I found the left-center cut of the fairway.
Menekşe flirted with the left side as well, but safely found the fairway.
From there, we could see the green with our rangefinder. It was a small target, very well protected by the fairway-length bunker on the left, another fairway bunker on the right, and a greenside bunker short right.
And with the South China Sea looming in the distance, long wasn’t a safe option either.
I prudently elected to hit a seven iron so I could have a full 54-degree wedge in.
That ended up being the smart play.
I hit the wedge to 10 feet and made our first birdie of the day.
The Signature Hole
The 149-metre (163-yard) par 3 third is most likely the signature hole of the Ocean Course.
The ocean beach runs along the entire left side of the hole, and the sound of the waves crashing on the shore is bound to play in your mind.
Menekşe found the left side of the green and had a nice view of the ocean.
Make sure you get some good selfies here!
Heading Inland
While the remaining holes take you away from the ocean, they are anything but forgettable.
The fifth hole is a short 349-metre (382-yard) par 4, with a sharp dogleg left and a lake bordering the entire left side.
The play here is something off the tee that ensures your next shot is dry, while at the same time getting you to a distance that you like.
My play was a 3-wood off the tee in order to set myself up with a full 54-degree wedge.
The tee shot was executed perfectly, center cut of the fairway.
With water left and the flag on the left side of the green, pin-high right was the plan.
I pulled the wedge just enough to break a sweat as it descended.
Pin-high and left of the pin, but dry.
Another putt for birdie.
Stick with it
We both also really enjoyed the par 4 seventh hole.
We played the 404-metre (442-yard) par 4 as the sun began its gradual descent.
As the water left off the tee doesn’t really come into play, we both found the fairway.
The next shot is a slight dogleg right with a modest uphill approach to a green protected short by bunkers.
I was in between clubs.
Inevitably, this often leads me to not execute my best swing.
My weak cut fell short into one of the deep bunkers.
Menekşe, less afraid of the shot than I was, hit a smooth six-iron that sailed over the bunkers and found the back of the green.
Unable to get up and down, my indecision in the fairway led to my first bogey of the Coast nine.
Menekşe’s first putt was left shorter than she wanted, but she dropped her next putt for her first par of the Coast nine.
What Makes The Els Club Desaru Coast Special?
The golf at The Els Club Desaru Coast was exceptional, but what really stood out to us was how we were treated as guests.
From the moment we arrived, we were made to feel more like long-time members than golfers who had simply come to play a round.
The on-course hospitality manager checked on us throughout the round, making sure we had everything we needed.
And then there were the lockers.
We still can’t believe they had our names engraved on them!
After our round, the Director of Golf personally greeted us in the Pro Shop and asked about our day. As we chatted about our world golf adventure, it really hit us just how special the entire experience had been.
And then, as we were saying our goodbyes, he presented each of us with a personalized golf bag tag.
Wow.
We truly didn’t know what to say.
But we proudly carry those bag tags all around the world with us.
The Els Club Desaru Coast truly understands how to make a traveling golfer happy.
What You Need To Know Before You Go to The Els Club Desaru Coast
One thing we discovered during our visit is that The Els Club Desaru Coast is much more than a golf course. It is a true destination golf experience, which makes it particularly appealing for golfing couples like us.
You can come for the golf, but there is plenty beyond the fairways — beaches, restaurants and other activities around Desaru Coast. In fact, we were only there for the day and left wishing we had stayed longer.
So if you’re planning a trip here, we’d recommend giving yourself more time than just a round of golf.
How Much Does it Cost to Play The Els Club Desaru Coast?
The Els Club Desaru Coast is a premium golf experience, but the current green fees are a little more approachable than you might expect for a destination course of this caliber.
The current published rate for the Ocean Course is MYR 450 per person Monday through Friday (about US$111) and MYR 500 on weekends and public holidays (about US$124). The rate includes your green fee, shared golf cart, locker usage, golfer’s insurance, and access to the practice facilities before your round.
If you’re traveling on a golf budget like we are, playing on a weekday is definitely the way to go. The club also runs various promotions and stay-and-play packages from time to time, so it’s worth checking what’s available when you book.
We played later in the day, which gave us plenty of time to enjoy the course without feeling rushed.
Prices and available promotions can change, so we’d recommend checking the current rates when you book.
How to Get to The Els Club Desaru Coast?
The Els Club Desaru Coast is on the southeastern coast of Malaysia, making it an easy addition to a trip through southern Malaysia — or even a golf getaway from Singapore.
Flying to Desaru Coast
The closest airport is Senai International Airport (JHB) near Johor Bahru, about an hour’s drive from Desaru Coast. This is the option we used, as we were already traveling through Malaysia.
If you’re coming from further afield, Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) is another option worth considering. Desaru Coast is about a two-hour drive from Changi, although you’ll need to allow additional time for the Singapore–Malaysia border crossing.
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) is also an option, but at around 3½ hours by road, we’d only consider it if Kuala Lumpur is already part of your itinerary.
Getting to the Golf Course
We hired a car for our day at The Els Club Desaru Coast, which worked really well for us. Having our own wheels meant we didn’t have to worry about getting to the course or getting back to Johor Bahru after our round.
Malaysia drives on the left-hand side of the road, so keep that in mind if you’re used to driving on the right. And, as always when we’re driving around Malaysia, keep an eye out for unexpected wildlife!
If you don’t want to rent a car, you can arrange a private transfer or ride service from Johor Bahru or Singapore. Just remember that golf clubs take up considerably more room than the average piece of luggage. If you’re booking a car service, make sure there’s enough space for both your golf bags and your luggage before you set off.
For us, having a rental car was the easiest option — particularly because we were making a day trip from Johor Bahru.
Where to Stay: Finding Your Perfect Desaru Coast Base
Where you stay really depends on how much of your trip you want to spend at Desaru Coast — and, of course, your budget!
Best For A Golf Splurge: Stay at Desaru Coast
If golf is the main reason you’re coming to Desaru Coast, staying right at the resort area makes a lot of sense. The major resorts include Mandarin Oriental, The Westin, and Anantara, putting you close to the golf course and everything else happening around Desaru Coast.
We didn’t stay here because, well, these resorts were a little beyond our golf-traveling budget! 😂 But after spending the day at Desaru Coast, we definitely wished we had stayed longer. There is so much happening here that it would be easy to turn your round of golf into a proper golf getaway.
Best For A Budget-Friendly Base: Johor Bahru
For us, staying in Johor Bahru was the better fit. We were already traveling through Malaysia, and basing ourselves in JB gave us much more choice when it came to accommodation.
The trade-off is the drive. Instead of waking up at Desaru Coast and being minutes from the first tee, you’re looking at roughly an hour each way to the golf course.
For us, that was a trade-off we were happy to make. It kept our trip within our budget while still allowing us to play The Els Club Desaru Coast.
If you’re planning to spend several days golfing and exploring Desaru Coast, we’d probably splurge on staying closer to the course. But if you’re traveling around Malaysia and Desaru is one stop on a bigger trip, Johor Bahru can make a lot of sense.
And that’s where our interactive map comes in handy. Use it below to explore accommodation options around Desaru Coast and find the base that works best for your trip.
If you decide to base yourself in Johor Bahru, there’s plenty more to discover beyond using JB as your golf base. We spent some time exploring the city and, of course, couldn’t resist a visit to the famous Salahuddin Bakery! You can read about our slow-travel adventures in our guide to Slow Traveling in Johor, Malaysia.
Other Golf Courses Near Desaru Coast
If you’re turning a trip to Desaru Coast into a bigger golf adventure, there are a couple of pretty exciting options nearby.
The Valley Course is the obvious first choice, since it’s right here at The Els Club Desaru Coast.
Then things get really interesting for adventurous golfers like us. Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore is a short hop across the border and home to one of the world’s top-ranked golf courses. And if you’re willing to add a ferry ride and another passport stamp, Laguna Golf Bintan on Indonesia’s Bintan Island is a beautiful course that we absolutely loved playing.
Three great courses. Three countries. Three passport stamps. For adventurous golfers like us, that would make for one pretty memorable golf trip!
Our Verdict: Would We Play the Ocean Course Again?
Absolutely!
From the moment we arrived, The Els Club Desaru Coast made us feel like we were more than just golfers stopping by for a round.
The golf was exceptional, the setting was beautiful, and the hospitality was something we won’t forget. From having our names engraved on our lockers to receiving personalized golf bag tags as we said goodbye, it was clear that the team at The Els Club genuinely cared about making our day special.
And that’s what stayed with us.
We came to Desaru Coast to play golf, but we left wishing we had stayed longer. We could easily see ourselves turning a return visit into a proper golf getaway.
So would we play The Els Club Desaru Coast again?
Absolutely. And next time, we’d like to stay awhile.
The Els Club Desaru Coast left us with some pretty special memories. Find out where it sits among our personal favorites in our 5 Best Golf Courses in Malaysia.
Ready to Explore More Golf?
The Els Club Desaru Coast was just one course 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.
Planning your own Malaysia golf adventure? Explore all our Malaysia golf blogs, course reviews, travel tips, and favorite places to stay.
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