The sublime beauty of Southeast Asia provides the perfect backdrop for a quick round
Often set just a stone’s throw from pristine beaches, clear emerald waters or lush tropical forests, Southeast Asia’s golfing opportunities can provide both a perfect day on the green and an extended stay that will keep everyone contented.
Kuala Lumpur’s internationally recognised Mines Resort and Golf Club provides a unique landscape for teeing off and is a major draw for worldwide golfing talent. Designed by renowned course architect Robert Trent Jones, the parkland-styled course transformed one of the world’s largest open cast tin mines from barren wasteland into an international stage for golfing championships. With its par of 71, avid golfers looking for a chance to tee off in the Malaysian capital will find the wide, tree-lined fairways and well-contoured greens challenging but still suitable for varying skill levels. Embracing a ‘work hard, play hard’ philosophy, business is synonymous with pleasure at Mines Resort with a sophisticated meeting and conference facility ideal for corporate brainstorming between rounds.
Thailand’s Blue Canyon Country Club, set amidst Phuket’s secluded valleys, is true to its name with signature holes set atop natural canyon structures that plunge into deep waters. The 18-hole course calls for a strategic game that accommodates the natural hazards of the manicured landscape. Towering trees, rolling fairways, long carries, narrow landing areas and slick Bermuda Tifdwarf greens offer an unpredictable game, encouraging patience and persistence, particularly at hole 17, which boasts the longest par three in Thailand. Not to be outdone by its sprawling surrounds, a day at the Club can also be wiled away without setting foot on the greens. A boutique spa combines pampering and relaxation with spectacular sunset views over the Andaman Sea, and international flavours are served with a view at all three dining options.
Golfers of all skill levels will be delighted with Indonesia’s Nirwana Bali Golf Club, placed at the heart of one of Bali’s premier resorts. The Greg Norman-designed grounds capture Balinese style with world-class facilities that work in harmony with the natural surrounds. With three of the 18 holes running along the cliffs of the Indian Ocean, and terraced rice paddies blending seamlessly into the scenery, the course not only tests the accuracy and consistency of a PGA professional, it also provides a spectacular taste of Asia for weekend golfers seeking a course with a view.
