Beach holes and a Vijay Singh valley, next door to Singapore.
The Els Club Desaru Coast is Singapore’s favourite golf escape across the border. It sits on the south-east tip of Johor, 75 km from Johor Bahru, with two 18-hole courses: Ernie Els’s Ocean course, which opens with three holes running down to the South China Sea, and Vijay Singh’s Valley course inland. Troon Golf manages the club, so the operation feels international, and the beach resorts of Desaru Coast are minutes away. It works as a weekend from Singapore or as part of a wider Malaysia trip.
The Els Club Desaru Coast green fees and tee times.
Book in advance through the club by phone on +60 7 878 0000, through its website or through Singapore and Johor golf operators. Carts are compulsory and fitted with GPS; caddies are available on request. The club does not publish visitor rates on its main pages. Third-party listings show about MYR 505 on weekdays and MYR 605 at weekends for the Ocean course, and cardholder promotions from Malaysian banks offer 10% off rates that include insurance and a shared cart. The Els Performance Golf Academy is based on site.
INDICATIVE GREEN FEE · CHECKED OCTOBER 2026From MYR 505
Ocean course weekday rate as listed by 1golf.eu (weekends MYR 605); the club quotes current rates on request. Prices change by season and booking route, so confirm the current rate with the operator. Official rates ↗
The courses at The Els Club Desaru Coast.
Ocean course
Robert Trent Jones Jr laid out the original course in 1985, and Ernie Els rebuilt it completely in 2015. It plays to par 72 and 7,279 yards. The Coast nine opens towards the beach: the par-four 1st and par-five 2nd run to the shore, and the par-three 3rd is played beside the sea. The Lakes nine brings water into play on every hole except the 1st and 9th.
Valley course
Largely a new design by Vijay Singh, at par 72 and about 7,200 yards from the back tees. It runs through undulating, tree-lined country inland, more sheltered from the sea breeze than the Ocean course, and makes a good second day.
The round, in perspective.
The two courses offer a choice of seaside or inland golf.
Know before you go.
Carts
Compulsory, fitted with GPS
Caddie
Available on request
Booking
Advance booking required on weekdays and weekends
Management
Operated by Troon Golf; Els Performance Golf Academy on site
Make the trip work.
Play the Ocean course on the first day while you are fresh, then the Valley on the second; together they make a full weekend. Weekday rates are noticeably lower than weekends, when Singapore golfers fill the tee sheet. The club runs shuttles to the Desaru Coast resort hotels, so you do not need a car once you arrive. Practice facilities are excellent, which makes the academy worth a session before your round.
From Singapore, drive across the causeway or the Second Link and continue east, or take the ferry from Singapore to Desaru. Senai International Airport in Johor Bahru (JHB) is the closest airport, and Johor Bahru city is about 75 km away. Car hire or a private transfer is the simplest option with golf bags.
Desaru Coast’s resorts line the beach a few minutes from the club, with shuttle connections, from family hotels to private villas. Staying on the coast turns the trip into a beach weekend for non-golfers too.
Make a trip of it.
The two Els Club courses fill a weekend on their own. Add a round in Johor Bahru or Singapore on the way home. Off the course, Desaru’s long beach, the adventure water park and the fruit farms inland are easy half-days for families.
Find your season.
The east coast of Peninsular Malaysia catches the north-east monsoon from about November to February, which brings heavy rain and rough seas. The best golf weather runs from about March to September.
How much does it cost to play The Els Club Desaru Coast?
The club quotes current rates on request. Third-party listings show the Ocean course at about MYR 505 on weekdays and MYR 605 at weekends, and Malaysian bank-card promotions offer 10% off rates that include insurance and a shared cart.
Which course is better at Desaru, Ocean or Valley?
The Ocean course, redesigned by Ernie Els in 2015, has the beachside opening holes and is the one most visitors want. The Valley course by Vijay Singh is a sheltered inland alternative and a good second round.
How do you get to Desaru from Singapore?
By road across the causeway or the Second Link and then east through Johor, or by ferry from Singapore. Senai International Airport in Johor Bahru is the closest airport.
Are carts compulsory at Desaru Coast?
Yes. Carts are compulsory and fitted with GPS. Caddies are available on request.
Last checked 16 October 2026. This is an independent planning guide, not a first-hand review or a booking service. Check live availability, access, fees and travel details with the operator before booking. Airport suggestions are starting points for route planning.
