The Els Club Desaru Coast: 2026 Access and Booking Update
The Els Club Desaru Coast pairs an Ernie Els 27 hole layout with a Vijay Singh course at the Desaru Coast resort in Johor, an easy hop from Singapore. Here is where it stands in 2026, what it costs, and how to play it.
The news: a 45 hole anchor on the Desaru Coast
The Els Club Desaru Coast forms the golfing heart of Desaru Coast, the integrated beach resort destination on the southeast tip of Johor, Malaysia, within easy reach of Singapore by road or the cross strait ferry. As it heads into 2026, the club remains the marquee golf address of the area, a designed for tourism complex built to draw players from the city across the water for a weekend.
The story is one of scale and convenience rather than any sudden change. With two distinct courses carrying 45 holes between them, set among a growing cluster of beach resorts, waterpark and conference facilities, the club is positioned as a complete short break for the Singapore market. For 2026 it continues as the obvious base for a golf trip into southern Malaysia.
The courses themselves
The headline layout is the Ocean Course, the work of Ernie Els, built as three nine hole loops named the Coast, the Ridge and the Lakes, which combine into varied 18 hole rounds, with the Lakes nine measuring around 3,342 yards. The routing moves between coastal exposure, rolling higher ground and water, so no two combinations play quite the same, a deliberate flexibility that keeps repeat rounds fresh.
The second course is the Valley Course, designed by three time Major champion Vijay Singh, which adds a contrasting 18 to the property. Having two big name designers on one site, with the variety of the Els nines alongside the Singh layout, is what gives the club its depth and makes a multi day stay genuinely rewarding rather than repetitive.
How to play it in 2026
The practical reality for 2026 is welcoming: the club is part of an integrated resort and its courses are open to visitors and resort guests with bookable tee times, so a round is straightforward to arrange whether you stay on the Desaru Coast or come over for the day from Singapore. Booking ahead is sensible for weekends, when the city crowd arrives, and carts and caddies are part of the local norm.
On cost, recent green fees have run in the region of 415 to 465 Malaysian ringgit, with weekend rates at the higher end of that range. On timing, southern Malaysia is playable year round in a tropical climate, with afternoon showers common and the wetter monsoon months later in the year worth noting. Treat fees as indicative for the 2026 season and confirm rates, including cart and caddie, directly before booking.
Our take
Our take is that the Els Club Desaru Coast is the most convincing reason to make the short trip from Singapore for golf, combining two strong designs, resort comfort and genuine variety across its 45 holes. It is built for the weekend break, and it does that job better than almost anywhere else within range of the city.
If you are planning a 2026 trip, give yourself two or three days to play both courses and rotate through the Els nines, build in the beach and resort amenities, and time your round for the morning to stay ahead of the tropical heat and afternoon showers. Book weekends early, factor in cart and caddie, and confirm rates and tee times directly before you travel.
Plan your Malaysia golf trip
From the Els and Singh courses on the Desaru Coast to the wider golf of Johor and beyond, tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge builds and costs the trip, with no obligation.
Questions
Can visitors play The Els Club Desaru Coast?
Yes. The Els Club Desaru Coast is part of the Desaru Coast integrated resort in Johor, Malaysia, and its courses are open to visitors and resort guests with bookable tee times. It is an easy trip from Singapore. Confirm rates and tee availability directly before booking.
Who designed the courses at Desaru Coast?
There are two courses. The Ocean Course is the work of Ernie Els and is built as three nine hole loops, the Coast, the Ridge and the Lakes, that combine into 18 hole rounds. The Valley Course was designed by three time Major champion Vijay Singh. Together they give the club 45 holes.
How much does it cost to play Desaru Coast in 2026?
Recent green fees have run in the region of 415 to 465 Malaysian ringgit, with weekend rates at the higher end. Treat these as indicative for the 2026 season and confirm rates, including any cart, caddie and resort guest pricing, directly before booking, as fees change.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Course, season and access details verified June 2026 from club and golf travel sources; conditions and green fees change, so always confirm directly before booking. Last reviewed June 2026.