Sometimes the best golf experiences are the ones you never planned.
That was certainly the case with The Mines Resort & Golf Club in Kuala Lumpur. We didn’t arrive in KL with The Mines on our must-play list. In fact, we didn’t know anything about the golf course until we were already in the city.
But that’s one of the things we love about traveling. Often, the best things on the road are the unplanned ones—a restaurant down a back alley that we stumbled across, a secluded beach with the perfect sunset, or, in this case, a golf course we discovered by talking with locals.
Once we learned a little more about The Mines, we knew we had to play it.
And what we found was a fascinating golf course with an equally fascinating history. The course was built on what was once one of the world’s largest open-pit tin mines, and today the former mining site has been transformed into a beautiful resort, lake and championship golf course.
From the moment we arrived, The Mines felt like something a little different. The jungle, water, elevation changes and remnants of the area’s mining history all come together to create a golf experience that we certainly didn’t see coming.
And, as we discovered during our round, sometimes the courses you weren’t planning to play end up being the ones you remember most.
The Mines Resort & Golf Club at a Glance
| Course Information | Details |
| Location | Seri Kembangan, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
| Course | The Mines Resort & Golf Club |
| Designer | Robert Trent Jones Jr. |
| Length | 6,370 metres / 6,966 yards |
| Visitor Access | Yes – contact the club for visitor tee times |
| Golf Carts | Yes – shared buggy |
| Caddies | Available |
| Course Type | Resort / Parkland |
| Address | Jalan Kelikir, MINES Resort City, 43300 Seri Kembangan, Malaysia |
| Phone | +60 12 – 271 0471 |
| reservations@mrgc.mines.com.my | |
| Website | The Mines Resort & Golf Club |
Our take: A memorable and surprisingly challenging golf course, with some spectacular holes and a fascinating history. The Mines was one of those unexpected discoveries that reminded us why we love traveling with our golf clubs.
An Unplanned Golfing Surprise
Often in our travels, we find that the unplanned things on the road are the best.
The Mines was one of those discoveries.
When we arrived in Kuala Lumpur, we had no plans to play The Mines. We didn’t even know much about the course. But as we started talking to people and learning more about golfing around KL, The Mines kept coming up.
And the more we heard, the more curious we became.
The Mines Resort & Golf Club isn’t just another golf course in Kuala Lumpur. It has a fascinating history, a beautiful setting and a reputation as one of the country’s most memorable golf experiences.
In fact, when we put together our 5 Best Golf Courses in Malaysia, The Mines made our list at #5.
That was enough to convince us that this was a course we needed to see for ourselves.
So, with our golf clubs in tow and no real expectations other than curiosity, we headed out of Kuala Lumpur to The Mines.
As it turned out, discovering this course almost by accident made the experience even more special.
From Tin Mine to Golf Course
It’s hard to imagine when you arrive at The Mines today, but this beautiful resort was once a huge open-pit tin mine.
The Hong Fatt Mine was one of the largest and richest tin mines in the world. For decades, the area around Seri Kembangan was dominated by mining, until the mine finally closed in 1988.
What followed was quite remarkable. The enormous mining pit was transformed into a lake, while the surrounding land was developed into Mines Resort City, complete with hotels, shopping, homes and, of course, a golf course.
Today, it’s difficult to imagine the huge mining operation that once occupied this landscape. Instead, golfers are surrounded by mature trees, water and lush tropical vegetation.
It’s a pretty impressive transformation—and one that gives The Mines a story that few golf courses can match.
Arriving at The Mines
As soon as we arrived at The Mines, it was clear that this was no ordinary golf club.
The clubhouse is enormous, and the first thing that caught our attention was the impressive entrance and the feeling of space inside. Built in 1996, the 90,000-square-foot clubhouse overlooks the huge lake and surrounding greenery.
But what really caught our attention was the golf history.
The Mines has hosted some seriously prestigious events, including the World Cup of Golf in 1999, the Women’s World Cup in 2000, and the CIMB Classic.
Inside the clubhouse, we found reminders of those events and the many famous golfers who have played here. Seeing the names of PGA Tour players around the club was a pretty cool reminder that we were about to play on a course that has welcomed some of the biggest names in golf.
And then there was the view.
Looking out from the clubhouse across the lush surroundings and enormous lake, it was hard to believe that this had once been a massive open-pit tin mine.
We were definitely ready to see what The Mines looked like from the fairways.
Playing The Mines Resort and Golf Club
After hitting a few balls on the driving range and stroking a couple of putts on the practice green, we made our way to the first tee.
Well, our first tee was actually the 10th.
We played the nines in reverse order, just as the course had during some of the world-class tournaments it has hosted, so we weren’t complaining. We both found the middle of the fairway and were off.
The Mines plays to a par 71 and can stretch to almost 7,000 yards from the back tees. We chose tees that suited our games better, with Menekşe playing from the Reds and James from the Blues.
A Dramatic Start
It didn’t take long to arrive at one of the most memorable holes on the course—the par 3 11th.
At first glance, its length doesn’t seem particularly intimidating, but don’t let the yardage fool you. From the tee, there is nothing between you and the green except a deep, jungle-filled ravine. Anything short is going to be very difficult to find.
We played it smart, but neither of us managed to find the green. It was a great introduction to what The Mines would offer throughout the round: beautiful surroundings, plenty of strategy and just enough danger to keep you thinking.
Menekşe Finds Her Groove
While I, James, was struggling with a sensitive lower back after a rather unfortunate slip on some wet rocks in Melaka, Menekşe was quietly putting together some really solid golf.
A couple of par chances here, a few bogey chances there, and something about The Mines seemed to suit her game. She looked relaxed and, dare we say, we think we even saw a smile or two.
The uphill par 4 17th was another hole that caught our attention. At 410 yards, this slight dogleg right plays even longer thanks to the well-placed bunkers scattered across the fairway.
Then came the 18th.
As we stood on the tee, our caddy pointed out a house to our left and told us it belonged to the Prime Minister of Malaysia. Hitting our tee shots from the Prime Minister’s backyard is certainly something neither of us will ever forget!
When Golf Takes a Back Seat
By the time we made it back to the 1st tee, my back was really starting to hurt. The hole itself was beautiful, with the signature lake to the left and the fairway sloping downhill towards the water.
A straight tee shot was important, so I hit a 3-wood, was happy with the result, and decided that would be my last swing of the day.
Sometimes you have to know when to stop.
From there, I became Menekşe’s biggest cheerleader while she continued her round.
Our Favourite Holes: 6 and 7
The middle stretch of the back nine produced our favourite holes at The Mines.
In one word, the 6th hole is brilliant.
This short par 4 begs you to grab the driver and go for it, but with water all down the right side and a bunker on the left, it isn’t quite that simple. You have to decide how much risk you want to take.
We love a golf hole that offers more than one way to play.
The 181-yard par 3 7th was equally delightful. With the same lake running along the right side, it is another hole where the scenery can distract you from the golf!
Menekşe put it all together here and made par.
By this point, it was becoming very clear that The Mines had brought out some of her best golf.
The Mines Experience
On the front of the scorecard, it says The Mines Experience, and ours was an experience that we won’t ever forget!
The day we played was only a few weeks ahead of the Club Championship, and the course was in tournament-ready shape. The greens were firm and ran true, just the way we like them. They had a consistently quick pace with some very nice, gentle contours.
The fairways were generous, but not overly easy to find, and were perfectly maintained. Combined with the lush surroundings, dramatic elevation changes, and the lake that was once part of the old tin mine, it made for a really enjoyable round of golf.
Located just outside the incredible city of Kuala Lumpur, The Mines Resort & Golf Club ranked very high on our list of the best golf courses in Malaysia. It is simply impossible to think that this was once a huge hole in the ground. What a transformation—and a true testament to vision!
And once again, The Mines reminded us that often the best things in life are unplanned.
What You Need to Know Before You Play The Mines
If you’re traveling to Kuala Lumpur specifically to play golf, there are a few things worth knowing before you tee it up at The Mines Resort & Golf Club.
How to Book a Round at The Mines
The Mines is a private golf club, but visiting golfers are welcome to play. The easiest option is to contact the club directly and request a tee time through their Book a Tee Time page. You can also contact the reservations team by phone or email.
We recommend booking ahead, especially if you’re planning your Kuala Lumpur trip around golf. The club is closed on Mondays for course maintenance, except on public holidays.
Expect Tropical Weather
Located just a chipshot north of the equator, Kuala Lumpur has a year-round tropical climate, with plenty of sunshine, rain, and humidity.
We spent the month of May in KL, and have been back multiple times, and it seemed to rain hard every day around 3 pm, usually lasting just 20 to 30 minutes. We’ve heard that our experience with these late-afternoon showers is quite typical.
So, bring plenty of water, pack a rain jacket, and throw a spare golf glove into your bag. You’ll be glad you did!
English Is Widely Spoken
Malay (Bahasa Melayu) is Malaysia’s official language, but English is widely used in business, tourism and everyday life.
We found Kuala Lumpur extremely easy to navigate as English speakers, including when getting around and dealing with restaurants, hotels and golf clubs. We never had any difficulty communicating, which made organizing our golf and getting around the city very easy.
How Much Does It Cost to Play The Mines Resort?
The Mines is definitely a premium golf experience, and the visitor green fee reflects that.
At the time of writing, the current non-guest visitor rate is RM696 per person(approximately US$172). The price includes a twin-sharing golf buggy, caddie, golfer’s insurance and tax.
That’s not an inexpensive round of golf, but The Mines is one of Malaysia’s most prestigious courses, and for golfers who want to experience some of the country’s best courses, we think it’s worth considering.
We also always look for ways to make our golf budget stretch a little further. The Mines occasionally offers special promotions and discounted rates, so it’s worth asking about any current offers when you book. If your dates are flexible, you may be able to find a better-value option.
Prices and availability can change, so we’d recommend checking the current rates when you book.
Where to Stay in Kuala Lumpur
Where you stay in Kuala Lumpur can make a big difference to your overall golf-and-travel experience. For us, there are two areas that stand out, depending on what you want from your trip.
Best for a Golf Splurge: KLCC & the Golden Triangle
If you’re looking to splurge, the KLCC and Golden Triangle area is hard to beat. You’ll find some of Kuala Lumpur’s best luxury hotels, restaurants and shopping, with the Petronas Twin Towers and Pavilion Kuala Lumpur right nearby.
The trade-off is that The Mines is a little farther away, but you’ll be staying in the heart of Kuala Lumpur—which means plenty to do when you’re not on the golf course.
Our Choice: Bukit Bintang
For us, Bukit Bintang was a fantastic base during our time in KL. We loved the restaurants, cafés and nightlife, and it was a great place to experience the energy of the city.
The trade-off is a longer Grab ride to The Mines, particularly when traffic is heavy. But if you want to explore Kuala Lumpur between tee times, we think it’s a great choice.
And that’s where our interactive map comes in handy. Use it below to explore accommodation options and find the base that works best for your trip.
For more of our favorite neighborhoods, food and attractions, check out our guide to The Best of Travel and Golf in Kuala Lumpur.
And if you’d rather see KL than read about it, check out our Kuala Lumpur Travel Vlog 🇲🇾 Food, Cafés & Hidden Gems on YouTube!
Other Golf Courses Near The Mines
If you’re planning a Kuala Lumpur golf trip, it’s easy to combine The Mines with other top courses in the area.
Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club
The two courses at Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club (KLGCC) are among the best-known courses in Malaysia.
Rated in the top 100 in the world, The West Course is a fantastic option to add to your KL golf itinerary. We really enjoyed our round there and think it offers a very different experience from The Mines.
The East Course is currently undergoing a major renovation, so it isn’t available for play at the moment. Once it reopens, we’ll be very interested to see how the redesigned course compares.
If you’re putting together a Kuala Lumpur golf getaway, we’d definitely consider combining The Mines with the KLGCC West Course—and adding the East Course once the renovation is complete.
Our Verdict: Would We Play The Mines Again?
Absolutely!
The Mines was one of those golf courses we discovered almost by accident, and it turned out to be one of the highlights of our time golfing in Malaysia.
We loved the combination of great golf, beautiful tropical surroundings, and the fascinating history behind the course. Knowing that we were playing across what was once a massive open-pit tin mine made the round even more interesting.
The course was in fantastic condition when we played; the layout gave us plenty to think about, and there were several holes that really stayed with us—especially the 6th and 7th.
Would we pay the premium green fee to play it again? Yes, we would.
And perhaps that’s the best recommendation we can give. We went to The Mines because we happened to hear about it while we were already in Kuala Lumpur. We left thinking about what a great golfing experience we’d almost missed.
So if you’re a traveling golfer visiting Kuala Lumpur, we’d definitely put The Mines on your list.
Sometimes the best golf experiences really are the ones you never planned.
Ready to Explore More Golf?
The Mines Resort and Golf Club 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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