The Els Club Desaru Coast
Ernie Els carved 27 holes out of former plantation land on the southeastern tip of Johor, opened in late 2016 as the flagship of the Desaru Coast resort development. Three returning nines, the Coast, the Ridge and the Lakes, run firm and open toward the South China Sea, with green fees from about MYR 415 in 2026.
Photo: The Els Club Desaru Coast via Google.
The verdict
Ernie Els's Ocean Course at Desaru Coast opened in November 2016 and instantly gave Malaysia a course of genuine trip building quality. Laid out over former plantation land on the southeastern corner of Johor, the property runs 27 holes in three returning nines, the par 36 Coast, the par 37 Ridge and the par 36 Lakes, each stretching past 3,600 yards from the tips.
It is big, breezy, modern resort golf of a very high order: wide corridors, sprawling bunkering and firm turf, with the sea in view on the Coast nine and wind a constant factor. Managed by Troon and paired with a second 18, the Valley Course, on the inland side of the development, it anchors one of Southeast Asia's most complete new resort destinations, an easy add to any Singapore stopover.
The Els Club Desaru Coast at a glance
- Opened
- 2016
- Designer
- Ernie Els
- Type
- Resort, coastal
- Par
- 36 · 37 · 36
- Yardage
- To 3,655 yds a nine
- Green fee
- MYR 415 to 465
Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026 from The Els Club Desaru Coast and leading course databases. The Ocean Course opened in November 2016 with three nines, the Coast at par 36, the Ridge at par 37 and the Lakes at par 36, the longest tees running from about 3,624 to 3,655 yards per nine. Published 2026 green fees run from about MYR 415 to MYR 465 including cart, locker, insurance and tax. Fees are indicative, so always confirm directly before booking.
The nines worth the trip
The Coast nine is the one on the postcards, working out toward the shoreline with the South China Sea filling the horizon and the breeze freshening as the round builds. Els kept the corridors wide and the ground game open, so the defense is the wind, the angles and some of the largest bunker complexes in the region.
The Ridge nine climbs onto the property's higher ground and plays the longest of the three at par 37, with long views back over the resort. The Lakes nine turns inland around its namesake water, asking for more care from the tee than the eye first suggests.
Any two nines combine for a championship length 18, and the variety is the point: sea, ridge and water on one property. Conditioning is kept to Troon's international standard, carts run on all loops, and there is a full practice campus, an easy place to settle in for two or three days.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Resort and public play; the Ocean Course is open to visiting golfers daily, with tee times bookable online |
| Green fee | About MYR 415 weekdays to MYR 465 weekends including shared cart, locker, insurance and tax (indicative, 2026) |
| Booking | Book direct with the club or through the Troon network; early booking discounts apply for tee times reserved at least 48 hours ahead |
| On the day | Carts included and standard in the heat; practice facilities open an hour before tee off; collared shirts expected |
| Getting there | About 50 minutes by road from Johor Bahru; from Singapore, cross the causeway and drive or take the ferry from Changi to Desaru Coast |
| Best months | February to October; the east coast monsoon peaks from November to January |
Fees and access verified June 2026 from the club's published rates; figures move by season and promotion, so always confirm directly before booking. Check live availability with our tee time partner.
Where to stay nearby
The Desaru Coast development was built as a complete resort destination, and the hotels sit minutes from the first tee. Anantara Desaru Coast, The Westin Desaru Coast and Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast cover the family and group end, while One&Only Desaru Coast is among the most luxurious beach resorts in Southeast Asia.
Many traveling golfers fold Desaru into a Singapore trip, staying in the city before or after and crossing for two or three nights of golf. Pair the Ocean and Valley courses here with a round at TPC Kuala Lumpur West if your route runs through the capital.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near The Els Club Desaru Coast.
Build a Malaysia golf trip
We line up the Desaru Coast tee times, pair them with the right beach resort and route the Singapore or Kuala Lumpur legs around them. Tell us roughly when and who is traveling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Desaru Coast questions
Who designed The Els Club Desaru Coast and when did it open?
The Ocean Course at Desaru Coast was designed by Ernie Els and opened in November 2016. A second 18, the Valley Course, sits on the inland side of the same development.
How many holes does the Ocean Course have?
The Ocean Course is 27 holes in three returning nines: the par 36 Coast, the par 37 Ridge and the par 36 Lakes, each running to roughly 3,650 yards from the back tees. Any two nines combine for an 18 hole round.
What does it cost to play the Els Club Desaru Coast?
Published 2026 green fees run from about MYR 415 on weekdays to about MYR 465 on weekends, including a shared cart, locker, insurance and tax. Rates are indicative and move by season, so always confirm directly before booking.
How do you get to Desaru Coast?
Desaru Coast is about 50 minutes by road from Johor Bahru in Malaysia. From Singapore, most visitors cross the causeway and drive, or take the ferry from Changi to the Desaru Coast terminal.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.