Golf courses in Kuala Lumpur

Map of golf courses in Kuala Lumpur

Golf in Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur is Malaysia’s capital and a federal territory. Here, Kuala Lumpur means the city itself, which is administratively separate from the surrounding state of Selangor and from Putrajaya, the government city to the south. For golfers, though, they all feel like one metropolitan area known as the Klang Valley.

There are only a few courses within the city limits, but their location is exceptional. They are 15 to 30 minutes by car from hotels in the centre, so you can play a morning round and be back in the city for work or sightseeing. For more choice, widen your search to neighbouring Selangor.

Getting there from the airport and the city

The gateway is Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), about an hour by car from the courses in the city. Rather than heading straight from the airport to the course, you will spend less time on the road if you check into a city hotel first and go from there. From the centre, both courses are about 30 minutes away.

A company car or your own car works well, and ride-hailing services such as Grab are convenient. The city’s road network is good, but the main roads jam at rush hour. If you have an early tee time, work back from it and leave with time to spare.

About the name KLGCC

Kuala Lumpur’s best-known course now operates as Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club, or KLGCC for short. From 2016 to 2021 it went by the name TPC Kuala Lumpur, and some older guides still use it. Both names refer to the same course, so whichever one you come across, there is no need for confusion.

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. Starting early is also the standard way to avoid the midday heat.

How golf is played here

Caddies are the norm, and some courses allow buggies onto the fairway. The grasses are Bermuda and zoysia, so greens may not read the way you are used to; take your time over the first few holes. 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 Kuala Lumpur

• 36 holes/West Course par 72 · East Course par 71
• Bukit Kiara/about 8 km from the city centre · about 62 min from KLIA
• Original design by Nelson & Haworth/renovated by Parslow & Winter Golf Design

This 36-hole club sits only about 8 km from central Kuala Lumpur. It lies on the hills of Bukit Kiara, wrapped in greenery that is hard to believe is right next to the city.

Both courses have been renovated: the West Course reopened in October 2008 and the East Course was refreshed in 2010. The original design was by Nelson & Haworth, with major later work by Parslow & Winter Golf Design. The club has hosted international tournaments and suits golfers who choose on course condition.

Practice facilities are good too: a three-storey, 78-bay driving range gives plenty of room to warm up. The club was named Malaysia’s Best Golf Course at the World Golf Awards in 2019. From 2016 to 2021 it was known as TPC Kuala Lumpur.

• 18 holes/par 72 · about 5,928 m
• Bukit Jalil/about 56 min from KLIA
• Designed by Max Wexler (Australia)/operated by Berjaya Clubs

A parkland course of about 165 acres in Bukit Jalil, in the south of Kuala Lumpur. It was built within a residential area, and its gentle contours make it an easy walk.

It was designed by Australian Max Wexler. Water features heavily, and the stroke-index-1 5th, a 381 m par 4, demands both length and accuracy. Adding up the official hole yardages gives a total of about 5,928 m.

Floodlights allow play after dark, which makes it an option if you want to avoid the daytime heat or play after work. It is run by Berjaya Clubs as an integrated resort with facilities beyond golf.

Comparing the courses

How to choose

Choosing by character

KLGCC is a 36-hole hillside club with serious layouts used for international events, suited to those who want a challenge or put course condition first. Bukit Jalil is a gently rolling parkland that is easy going even when your group’s abilities vary. Choose according to the purpose of your trip.

Choosing your tees

Almost every course in Malaysia has several sets of 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. If you plan to play into the afternoon, keep it especially comfortable.

Fitting it into your stay

The city courses are within easy reach of central hotels. Stay in town and you can play in the morning and spend the afternoon in the city. If you are staying several nights and want to play more courses, extending your search to neighbouring Selangor opens up far more options.

Nearby areas

For the whole country, see golf courses in Malaysia. The area surrounding Kuala Lumpur is Selangor, and the government city to the south is Putrajaya. The area closer to the airport is Negeri Sembilan, and the cool highlands are at Genting Highlands.

Golf courses in nearby areas

• Golf courses in Selangor
• Golf courses in Putrajaya
• Golf courses in Genting Highlands

See all areas in Malaysia