Clockwise from left: Sunrise, Cameron Highlands; Driving range at Dalit Bay; Sunset at Dalit Bay; The Els Club
KOTA KINABALU
With the mighty bulk of Mount Kinabalu — Southeast Asia’s highest peak — lurking in the background and the cobalt-blue ocean lapping a powder-white beach, Dalit Bay is an idyllic setting on the west coast of Sabah. The state has several golf courses, plus a range of distractions to lure guests from the greens. If scaling Mount Kinabalu itself sounds too energetic, there’s the underrated city of Kota Kinabalu with its kaleidoscopic food markets, numerous dive sites and the luxurious Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort & Spa, which is home to an Orangutan Education Centre.
Play: Dalit Bay Golf & Country Club Surrounded by forested jungle and mangrove swamps on 400 acres of the Shangri-La, Dalit Bay combines the easy-going elements of holiday golf with more exacting characteristics. These come primarily from the network of rivers and lakes that come into play on every hole, with monkeys providing a regular course hazzard. Take your camera as well as your clubs — many of the holes give views of Mount Kinabalu or the sweeping beach. Green fee: From £83 (non-guests) and £60 (guests).
dalitbaygolf.com.my
LANGKAWI
Langkawi meets the advanced requirements of a tropical paradise so effortlessly its powder-soft sands, crystalline water and pristine rainforest are almost clichés. Its main island, Pulau Langkawi, is home to a string of sumptuous resorts such as The Datai. Patai C enang, the main beach, is justifiably famous for its dazzling white sand and lively restaurant and nightlife scene. The Datai is set in pristine rainforest, a jungle that’s home to animals including hornbill, monkeys, lizards and geckos. As befits one of Malaysia’s main tourist islands, there’s plenty of activities and attractions including the dizzying SkyCab at Panorama
Langkawi — a glass-floor cable car that extends along the length of the Machincang range. Behind Pantai Cenang, it offers outstanding views of the island and gorgeous seascapes.
panoramalangkawi.com
Play: The Els Club Teluk Datai Named ‘best new golf course’ at the World Golf Awards in Portugal 2014, the Els Club has an unbelievably scenic layout that meanders through the rainforest and down to the turquoise Andaman Sea with 18 holes designed by none other than Ernie Els. If you get peckish, food can be delivered to you during your round and the GPS on carts is a plus if you’re not using caddies. Green fee: From £84.
elsclubmalaysia.com
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