Starhill Golf and Country Club | Golf Course in Johor | GoGolf

Write by GoGolf Editorial Team

Last updated: August 4, 2026

Starhill Golf and Country Club (SGCC) is a 36-hole comprehensive golf resort near Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia. In addition to two 18-hole courses of contrasting character — the undulating Bukit Course and the parkland Bintang Course used for tournaments — it has a family-oriented water theme park, so it can be enjoyed by everyone from golfers to families.

Known for its well-kept courses and the views from the hilltop clubhouse, it is a Johor prestige club popular with Japanese golfers too. Below is a detailed review by GoGolf.

Starhill Golf and Country Club

Key Information

LocationJohor Bahru (around Kempas Lama), Johor / Malaysia
ConstructionSumitomo Mitsui Construction (Japan) / opened 1993
Holes / Layout36 holes (two 18-hole courses, Bukit and Bintang, each par 72)
TurfFairways: Zoysia Matrella / Greens: Tifdwarf Bermuda
HighlightsTwo contrasting courses, hilltop clubhouse, family water theme park

Three Reasons Starhill Is Chosen

36 holes of contrasting character, well-tended course conditioning, and non-golf family facilities — these three points win support from a wide range of visitors.

  1. Two contrasting 18-hole courses — The undulating Bukit Course and the flat, walkable, tournament-spec Bintang Course. Enjoying 36 holes of differing atmosphere at a single facility is rare even in Malaysia.
  2. High maintenance standards — Zoysia Matrella on the fairways and Tifdwarf Bermuda on the greens keep conditions consistently smooth and fast. It is a course with high satisfaction for serious golfers.
  3. A comprehensive resort the family can enjoy — With a water theme park, hilltop clubhouse and restaurants, family members who do not golf can enjoy a full day too. It is also a highly popular setting among Japanese golfers.

Location and Access

Starhill Golf and Country Club is located in Johor Bahru (around Kempas Lama), the central city of Johor, an easily reached location about 12 km north of the city. As it is inland, no ferry is required and access by car is smooth.

Access is convenient by company car or private car, or by ride-hailing services such as Grab. It is close to central Johor Bahru, and golfers from Singapore can also reach it by car across the border. Allow plenty of time, taking border congestion and weekend traffic into account.

Course Design and Features

Starhill Golf and Country Club Bukit and Bintang courses

The Bukit Course (about 6,524 metres) is defined, as its name suggests, by terrain with ups and downs. The fairways are wide, giving flexibility off the tee, but wide greens and strategic bunkers demand accuracy. The signature 15th, a par 3, is dominated by a lake over the playing area, so an accurate shot is essential. As there are undulations, moving by buggy is comfortable, and the balance of challenge and comfort is appealing.

Meanwhile, the Bintang Course (about 6,834 yards, par 72) is a flat, tidy parkland layout that is easy to walk and is chosen for large tournaments. Built on wetland near a river, it has many lakes, and its fast greens demand accuracy and strategy. It also has memorable signature holes, such as the star-shaped green at the 16th and the dogleg 17th, which turns almost 90 degrees to the right with 25-metre-tall trees overhanging. It is often called the “face” of SGCC.

Clubhouse and Facilities

Starhill Golf and Country Club facilities

Perched at the top of a hill, the clubhouse offers a spectacular view over the whole course. Inside it has a pro shop, the “Hilltop” restaurant, a bar, a lobby lounge, VIP rooms, a jacuzzi and a banquet hall, making it a social hub used for formal events, wedding receptions and business meetings.

Furthermore, SGCC has a Water Theme Park with a Giant Water Slider, a children’s pool and more, making it popular as a place for family recreation. A driving range, modern locker rooms, a relaxation area and a terrace café (Asian, Japanese and Western cuisine) with green views are all in place, satisfying both golf and relaxation.

A Memorable Golf Experience

A round at Starhill is an experience of playing in well-tended conditions while touring two contrasting courses — the undulating Bukit and the strategic Bintang. Views from the hilltop clubhouse, distinctive holes such as the star-shaped green and the dogleg, and family time at the water park after the round — you can fully enjoy golf and leisure at a single resort. It is a Johor signature destination that has long been loved by Japanese golfers too.

The Surrounding Area and Enjoying Johor

Johor Bahru is the central city of Johor, offering urban pleasures such as shopping malls, local cuisine and night markets. As SGCC itself has a water park and restaurants, you can spend the time before and after golf on site. It is also convenient as a base for short trips from Singapore, with the appeal of easily planning an itinerary that combines golf with sightseeing and shopping. Other Johor prestige courses are dotted nearby, so a golf-packed stay is possible too.

What to Know Before You Play

  • Access: Convenient by company car or private car, or by ride-hailing services such as Grab. Close to central Johor Bahru; from Singapore, by car across the border. Allow plenty of time for congestion.
  • Choosing a course: The undulating and comfortable Bukit, or the flat and strategic Bintang. Choose according to preference and skill. Confirm your preferred course before arriving.
  • Course character: On Bukit, watch the lake at the par-3 15th; on Bintang, the many lakes, the star-shaped green and the dogleg. Accurate shots are the key.
  • Caddie / cart: Please confirm the availability and details of caddies, carts and rental equipment before arriving. On Bukit, using a buggy is comfortable.
  • Attire: A collared shirt, golf trousers and shoes are standard. In the tropical climate, guard against sun and heat and stay hydrated.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of golf course is Starhill Golf and Country Club?
It is a 36-hole comprehensive golf resort near Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia. It features two 18-hole courses — the undulating Bukit Course and the parkland Bintang Course used for tournaments — and also has a family-oriented water theme park.
Who built and designed the course?
Public information introduces it as built and designed by Sumitomo Mitsui Construction of Japan, and it opened in 1993.
How many holes are there?
There are 36 holes. It consists of two 18-hole courses, Bintang and Bukit (each par 72), so you can enjoy multiple rounds at a single facility.
What is the difference between Bukit and Bintang?
The Bukit Course is characterised by hilly terrain, with wide fairways and comfortable buggy travel. The Bintang Course is relatively flat and easy to walk, a parkland style with many lakes and high strategy, and is used for major tournaments.
Where is it located?
It is located in Johor Bahru (around Kempas Lama), the central city of Johor, about 12 km north of the city. As it is inland, no ferry is required and it is reached by car.
What are the signature holes of the Bintang Course?
The star-shaped green at the par-3 16th is famous, a design rarely seen at other courses. The 17th is a dogleg turning almost 90 degrees to the right, with trees about 25 metres tall overhanging the corner, demanding shot accuracy and distance calculation.
Can beginners enjoy it?
Yes. It is important to choose a tee that suits your level and avoid forced carries over water. The Bukit Course, with wide fairways and relatively little water, is easier to get into, while the Bintang Course demands more accuracy.
Is it a tournament course?
Yes. The Bintang Course in particular is a walkable parkland layout and tends to be used as the main venue for large tournaments.
What facilities are there?
In addition to a hilltop clubhouse, pro shop, restaurant, bar, lobby lounge, VIP rooms, jacuzzi, banquet hall, driving range, locker rooms and terrace café, it has a family-oriented water theme park.
Is there a driving range?
Yes, there is a driving range. Practice facilities and golf lessons are also available, handy for a pre-round warm-up or swing practice.
Can families enjoy it?
Yes. The Water Theme Park has attractions such as a Giant Water Slider and a children’s pool, so family members who do not golf can spend a full day. The clubhouse restaurants and café are also well appointed.
How do I get there? (Is there a shuttle?)
A company car or private car, or a ride-hailing service such as Grab, is convenient. It is close to central Johor Bahru, and from the Singapore side you can reach it by car across the border. Please note that GoGolf does not arrange shuttle services. Allow plenty of time given border congestion.

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