Golf courses in Johor

Map of golf courses in Johor

Golf in Johor

Johor is the state at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, with Johor Bahru as its capital. It faces Singapore across the Straits of Johor and is linked to it by two bridges, and that location is what makes golf in Johor special.

This is the state with the most courses in our Malaysia listings. They are spread widely and vary in character, from Gelang Patah and Iskandar Puteri in the west, around the capital Johor Bahru, to the Desaru coast in the east. Two winners of the World Golf Awards’ Malaysia’s Best Golf Course are also here.

Getting there from the airport and the city

The state’s gateway is Senai International Airport, and the courses are 18 to 89 minutes away by car. The nearest are around Senai and Kulai, the furthest out at Pengerang on the eastern tip and along the Desaru coast.

The other way in is via Singapore: land at Changi and cross the border by road. The courses on the western side of the state are then about an hour from central Singapore. Border immigration can take a while, though, and weekends are especially busy, so work back from your tee time and allow even more margin than on a weekday.

Within the state, a company car or your own car works well, and ride-hailing services such as Grab are convenient. The courses are spread out, so if you plan to play two in one day, check the travel time between them first.

Many courses with Japanese connections

Johor stands out for courses involving Japanese designers and builders. Palm Resort in Senai was designed by Hiromasa Inagawa, and Kukup in Pontian by Atsumi Kawase. Tanjong Puteri in Pasir Gudang was a joint work by Max Wexler and Akira Mamiya, and Starhill in Johor Bahru was built by Sumitomo Mitsui Construction.

Best season and how to plan the day

Malaysia lies close to the equator and has no distinct dry season. Daytime temperatures reach around 30°C all year and humidity stays high. Rain tends to arrive as short, heavy showers in the afternoon and early evening, so securing an early-morning tee time matters more than picking a season.

How golf is played here

Caddies are the norm, and some courses allow buggies onto the fairway. The grasses are Bermuda and zoysia, with seashore paspalum by the sea, so greens may not read the way you are used to. A collared shirt and golf shoes are the standard dress, and the more prestigious the club, the more detailed the rules, so check with the course beforehand if in doubt.

The courses you can play in Johor

• Ocean Course (The Lakes/The Coast/The Ridge) + Valley Course · Valley about 7,200 yards
• Desaru coast/about 77 min from Senai Airport
• Ocean Course by Ernie Els · Valley Course by Vijay Singh/Valley opened 2016

One of Southeast Asia’s leading clubs, it was named Malaysia’s Best Golf Course at the World Golf Awards in 2025. The designers stand out: Ernie Els for the Ocean Course and Vijay Singh for the Valley Course.

The Ocean Course is made up of three sections, The Lakes, The Coast and The Ridge, with panoramic views of the South China Sea. The Valley Course opened in 2016 and is a serious layout of about 7,200 yards.

It sits within an integrated resort with a hotel and water park. At about 77 minutes from Senai Airport it is one of the further courses in the state, but it is worth building a stay around.

• Legacy Course/the 9th and 18th, with river views behind, are the signature holes
• Forest City (Gelang Patah area)/about 44 min from Senai Airport · about 1 hour from Singapore
• Designed by Nicklaus Design (Jack Nicklaus and Jack Nicklaus II)

This resort was named Malaysia’s Best Golf Course at the World Golf Awards in 2024. It has a unique setting within a development of four man-made islands on the strait between Malaysia and Singapore.

The Legacy Course is by Nicklaus Design, led by Jack Nicklaus and his son Jack Nicklaus II, in a “tropical desert” style that boldly spreads white sand across a tropical site. The contrast of green and white is rarely seen elsewhere. The signature holes are the 9th and 18th, played from a hilltop with river views behind.

The grass is Seashore Paspalum Platinum, which tolerates high salinity. The integrated resort is built around a five-star hotel and is about an hour by car from central Singapore.

• 18 holes/par 72 · about 6,271 m in total
• Iskandar Puteri/about 38 min from Senai Airport
• Designed by Ross Watson (Australia)/opened May 2008

One of the leading serious courses in the south of the state, with a record of hosting the Asian Tour. It was designed by Ross Watson, who also did Kota Permai in Selangor, and opened in May 2008, making it relatively new.

The layout builds risk and reward clearly into its design. Again and again you face the choice of attacking for distance at the price of a heavy penalty if you miss. It follows the natural contours of the land and measures about 6,271 m.

It sits within a large township with well-developed surroundings, and Iskandar Puteri is easy to reach from the Singapore side.

• 54 holes (three 18s: Allamanda · Cempaka · Melati) · over 800 acres
• Senai/about 18 min from Senai Airport
• Designed by Hiromasa Inagawa/opened 1994

At 54 holes, it is in a class of its own in Malaysia. It has three 18-hole courses of different character, Allamanda, Cempaka and Melati, spread over more than 800 acres. It opened in 1994 and was designed by Japan’s Hiromasa Inagawa.

Its big advantage is how close it is to Senai International Airport, about 18 minutes by car. Heading straight there after landing, or fitting in a round before your flight, is entirely realistic.

It has hosted tournaments, and each of the three courses differs in difficulty and character. It is an integrated resort well suited to a stay of several days, playing a different course each time.

• 36 holes/par 72 (four nines: Hibiscus · Orchid · Sakura · Bougainvillea) · about 1,700 acres
• Gelang Patah (Johor Bahru)/about 37 min from Senai Airport
• Designed by Pete Dye and Perry Dye

Designed by Pete Dye and Perry Dye, the names alone tell you what to expect. Dye trademarks, such as bunkers edged with railway sleepers, appear throughout.

It is made up of four nines, Hibiscus, Orchid, Sakura and Bougainvillea, which combine into the equivalent of 36 holes. The site is vast, at about 1,700 acres.

Gelang Patah is close to Singapore and a natural candidate when playing the western side of the state. For anyone who wants to experience Dye’s quirks, it is a must.

• Nicklaus course 18 holes · par 72 (about 6,710 m) + Palmer course 9 holes
• Kota Tinggi/about 42 min from Senai Airport
• Designed by Jack Nicklaus (18 holes · 1997)/Arnold Palmer (9 holes · 2009)

As the name suggests, two legends were involved in the design. Jack Nicklaus’s 18 holes opened in 1997, and Arnold Palmer’s nine were added in 2009.

The Nicklaus course is a long par 72 of about 6,710 m. Water hazards wind through tropical hills, and some holes play downhill from elevated tees, giving plenty of variety.

Recreation facilities including horse riding are also available, so you can plan your stay around more than just golf.

• 36 holes (Bukit Course and Bintang Course, 18 holes each · both par 72)
• Johor Bahru (around Kempas Lama)/about 23 min from Senai Airport
• Built by Sumitomo Mitsui Construction (Japan)/opened 1993

This 36-hole club opened in 1993. It was built by Japan’s Sumitomo Mitsui Construction, and Japanese construction expertise shows in the result.

The Bukit Course and the Bintang Course are contrasting: one is full of elevation changes, the other used for tournaments, so the same club demands different approaches. The fairways are Zoysia Matrella and the greens Tifdwarf Bermuda.

The clubhouse stands on a hilltop, and there is a family water theme park on site. At about 23 minutes from Senai Airport, it suits a wide range of golfers.

• Plantation · Straits · Village, 18 holes each (the official site currently lists 36 holes)
• Pasir Gudang (on the Straits of Johor)/about 51 min from Senai Airport
• Designed by Max Wexler and Akira Mamiya/developed in stages from 1990

This resort spreads along the Straits of Johor at Pasir Gudang. Work began in 1990, with Plantation opening in 1992, Village in 1994 and Straits in 1996. It was designed jointly by Max Wexler and Japan’s Akira Mamiya.

Three kinds of landscape, plantation, mangrove and strait, appear course by course. The names say it all: Plantation is on former plantation land, and Straits runs along the water.

It is an integrated resort with a 52-bay driving range and accommodation. The official site currently lists 36 holes, so check which courses are open before you go.

• 27 holes (three nines: Palm · Putra · IOI)
• Bandar Putra, Kulai/about 19 min from Senai Airport
• Designed by Rick Robbins (Robbins & Associates)/opened 1998

At about 19 minutes by car from Senai Airport, this is one of the closest courses in the state. It opened in 1998 as part of a development by the IOI group.

Three nines, Palm, Putra and IOI, are combined into rounds. The terrain is rolling with plenty of water hazards, and the feel changes with each combination. It was designed by Rick Robbins.

It has a large two-storey clubhouse and indoor and outdoor sports facilities, and is easy to reach from both the airport and Singapore.

• 18 holes/par 72 · hilly resort course
• Austin Heights (Johor Bahru)/about 27 min from Senai Airport
• Designed by Nigel B. Douglas/opened 1995

In the Austin Heights area of Johor Bahru, this course makes use of hilly terrain. It opened in 1995 and was designed by Nigel B. Douglas, who also did Kota Seriemas in Negeri Sembilan.

Downhill shots from elevated tees and water hazards dotted around are the hallmarks. With the changes in elevation, you need to adjust your distances even with the same club.

It is an integrated resort with a hotel, easy to reach from both the city and Singapore, and a convenient choice if you want to combine golf and accommodation.

• 18 holes/par 72 · about 6,225 m · about 312 acres
• Pekan Penerok, Pontian/about 61 min from Senai Airport
• Designed by Atsumi Kawase (Japan)

This course is in the fishing-village country of Pontian on the western side of the state. It was designed by Japan’s Atsumi Kawase and measures about 6,225 m on a site of about 312 acres.

Water hazards combined with narrow fairways make it a test of accuracy. It is the kind of course you plot your way round by placement rather than distance.

Surrounded by fishing villages and plantations, it has an atmosphere quite unlike the city courses. The area is also known for its seafood, and villa accommodation is available.

• 18 holes/par 72 · about 6,341 m in total
• Kota Tinggi (Jalan Kota Tinggi/Kulai)/about 35 min from Senai Airport
• Designed by DL Golf Development Sdn. Bhd./opened 1999

A public course towards Kota Tinggi that opened in 1999. It is a par 72 of about 6,341 m, and its condition has matured over the years since opening.

The greens are Bermuda Tifdwarf and the fairways Greenless Park Couch Grass. It is open to everyone, and its appeal is that you can play without any fuss.

The clubhouse has a pool and spa, and there is a driving range. It suits golfers who value ease and convenience over prestige.

• 18 holes/par 72 · about 5,837 yards in total
• Johor Jaya (Johor Bahru)/about 35 min from Senai Airport
• Opened 1996/former plantation land

A public course in the Johor Jaya area of Johor Bahru that opened in 1996. At about 5,837 yards it is on the short side and easy-going.

It was built on former plantation land and keeps the natural contours. The fairways are Zoysia Matrella and the greens Bermuda Tifdwarf.

As well as a 16-bay driving range, there are sports facilities beyond golf. Close to the city, it is busy with local golfers at weekends.

• 18 holes/par 72
• Sebana Cove, Pengerang/about 89 min from Senai Airport
• Designed by Ted Parslow

This course is at Sebana Cove in Pengerang, on the eastern tip of the state. At about 89 minutes from Senai Airport it is the furthest in the state, which keeps it quiet.

The design follows the natural contours, with wide views of mangroves and sea. The designer was Ted Parslow. The greens are Bermuda Hybrid Tifdwarf, and the tees and fairways Greenless Park Couch Grass.

The resort has a private marina and outdoor facilities beyond golf. It is the choice if you have time in hand and want to play somewhere peaceful.

Comparing the courses

How to choose

Choosing by pedigree

The Els Club Desaru Coast and Forest City were named Malaysia’s Best Golf Course at the World Golf Awards in 2025 and 2024 respectively, and Horizon Hills has hosted the Asian Tour. These three are the core if you choose on pedigree in Johor.

Playing from Singapore

Forest City, Horizon Hills and Poresia on the western side of the state are about an hour by car from central Singapore. If you want to fit a round into a Singapore stay, this is the realistic area. Border immigration can take time, so allow a margin even on weekdays.

Choosing by distance from the airport

Closest to Senai International Airport are Palm Resort at about 18 minutes, IOI Palm Villa at about 19 and Starhill at about 23, all handy for your arrival or departure day. Sebana, at about 89 minutes, and The Els Club Desaru Coast, at about 77, are further out and fit better in the middle of your stay.

Playing several rounds in one place

If you want to play several days in one place, look at the 54 holes at Palm Resort, the 36 at Poresia and Starhill, or the 27 at IOI Palm Villa. You can change layouts without travelling, which helps most when your schedule is tight.

Choosing your tees

Heat and humidity wear you down faster than you might expect, so moving one tee forward from your usual helps you stay sharp to the end. Some layouts, such as the Nicklaus course at The Legends, exceed 6,700 m, so check the total length before you decide.

Nearby areas

For the whole country, see golf courses in Malaysia. Heading north brings you to the capital region, where courses cluster in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor. Negeri Sembilan, close to the airport, and cool Genting Highlands are further options.

Golf courses in other parts of Malaysia

• Golf courses in Genting Highlands
• Golf courses in Kuala Lumpur
• Golf courses in Negeri Sembilan
• Golf courses in Putrajaya
• Golf courses in Selangor

See all areas in Malaysia