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<\/a>Malaysia's Capitol Building<\/p><\/div>\n
Beyond the golf, there is so much to absorb.\u00a0 Malaysia is a young country having just gained its independence from the British in 1957.\u00a0 Primarily a mixture of Malay, Indian, and Chinese cultures, the Malaysians have been visited and influenced by many that include: the Dutch, Portuguese, and English for starters.\u00a0 As such, you will discover their influence in the architecture, food, and traditions, not to mention the descendants as well.\u00a0 Muslim is the official state religion, but you are as apt to find a Hindu or Buddhist temple or a Roman Catholic Church.\u00a0 The largest and the gateway city is Kuala Lumpur that boasts dozens upon dozens of skyscrapers with the Petronas Twin Towers among the world\u2019s most beautiful, and the KL Tower, with its revolving restaurant, a perfect vantage place to survey the amazing landscape.\u00a0 There is scant little poverty and Malaysia\u2019s impressive modern government\/capital area is less than a dozen years old.<\/p>\n
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<\/a>The fantastic Petronas Towers in Kuala Lampur<\/p><\/div>\n
Leave the hustle of Kuala Lumpur, and you will encounter laid back beaches to the east, as well as mountainous areas and primitive rainforests that include Borneo, and historic shipping ports such as Melaka.\u00a0 Nature and outdoor aficionados of all sorts will love Malaysia, but so may golfers!<\/p>\n
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<\/a>Statues, Monkeys, and Caves<\/p><\/div>\n
While I didn\u2019t scratch the surface in surveying the golf courses, there are many opportunities to entice you there.\u00a0 While I need to conduct more research to be able to pinpoint specific golf courses, here is what you might expect for golf in Malaysia.\u00a0 Big-name course architects familiar to American golfers such as Robert Trent Jones, Jr., Ron Fream, Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman, Peter Thomson, Graham Marsh, and the Arnold Palmer organization have lent their talents to designing area courses.\u00a0 The terrain is interesting, and in cases, magnificent, making for many engaging layouts.\u00a0 The populated area of Kuala Lumpur could easily satisfy all the golf you could want with many sporty courses there, but if you travel beyond, you will encounter breathtaking scenery.<\/p>\n
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<\/a>Author Bob Fagan is well attended with two delightful caddies!<\/p><\/div>\n
The layouts have all the look and muscle of their American counterparts, and what\u2019s more, you are likely to see monkeys \u2013 lots of them.\u00a0 In fact, the caddies are sometimes used to shield monkeys from your equipment as the crafty ones have been known to open golf bags to take the contents, never mind your food or cell phone.\u00a0 The conditioning by American standards runs the gamut of very good to average, but the cost is typically modest to average, and the scenery excellent.\u00a0 Forecaddies were required at the five clubs I played, but the fees were included in the green fees with tipping optional.\u00a0 Just be aware that Malaysia is hot and humid \u2013 \u201cFlorida on steroids\u201d.\u00a0 Wear light clothing, drink lots of water, and liberally apply sun protection.<\/p>\n
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<\/a>A beautifully difficult par-three at the Awana Golf Club.<\/p><\/div>\n
It is recommended that for any golf trip to Malaysia, you hire or work through a golf tour organizer who has a first-hand golf background of the country.\u00a0 First, they can arrange for your ground transportation.\u00a0 While English is spoken here, traffic signs are not in English, and they drive on the left side of the road. \u00a0With traffic congestion especially in the urban areas, driving your own vehicle can be particularly confusing.\u00a0 Secondly, there is a definite disconnect between the golf industry and tourism in Malaysia.\u00a0 Most courses like to claim that they are private, but are, in essence, open to tourists at appropriate times or through certain hotels.\u00a0 An experienced operator can help you obtain tee times at the courses, lodging, and special attractions that meet your criteria, and also arrange for the all-important logistics.\u00a0 Here are three operators I am familiar with that you might want to consult:\u00a0 Paula Mullins-Worster (800-433-5052 firsttee@allpars.com), Rich Golisch (866-825-4653 rich@golfscotland.com), or Joan Holliday (858-715-0092 joan@kahalatravel.com).\u00a0 Each is a California-based travel agent and has first-hand golf knowledge of Malaysia.<\/p>\n
For some good general information, visit www.tourismmalaysia.gov.my<\/a> and click on\u00a0“activities” and “golf” for a comprehensive overview of golf in Malaysia.\u00a0 You can also call the Tourism Malaysia office in Los Angeles at 1-800-336-6842 to request the 80-page brochure “Malaysia, Your\u00a0Golfing Paradise.”<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n