The Els Club Teluk Datai opened for play in 1992 and immediately put Langkawi on the map of premium golf destinations. In fact, The Els Club Teluk Datai was voted as The Most Scenic Golf Course in Malaysia and nominated as one of the best golf resorts in Asia. The Els Club Teluk Datai was also voted as Best Top Ten Golf Course in Malaysia, by Asian Golf Monthly in 2009. In 2012-13 the course was completely renovated.
The Els Club Teluk Datai is now one of the Malaysia’s most uniquely captivating golf courses. The golf course is situated in northern part of Langkawi, bordered by the Andaman Sea to the East, and within a large 8,000 acre preserve. The Els Club Teluk Datai meanders its way through million year old rainforest cascading down to the turquoise waters of the Andaman Sea and is overlooked by the marbled limestone peaks of the Mat Cincang Mountains. With natural streams flowing throughout the golf course, it’s easy to lose focus on your game as you are immersed in such a serene environment.
The vision for the golf course is to preserve and enhance the natural environment while creating a luxury golf experience. Many varieties of trees and plants can be found along the course including tropical hardwoods, bougainvillea, palms, ferns, parasitic vines and broad-leafed plants. In addition, resident monkeys and other native animals live around the course. With a wide array of natural flora and wildlife, The Els Club Teluk Datai protects the environment and preserves the natural surroundings.
The par-72 championship layout plays to a short 6,760 yards from the tips and is perfect for both beginners and avid golfers alike. The immense variety of lies; uphill and downhill with undulating fairways and greens, all combine to provide a rewarding Langkawi golf experience. The fairways are amply wide with excellent bunkering around the greens. An abundance of huge ancient trees lining the fairways is enough to keep the driver in the bag on many holes.
Given all the hilly terrain, the golf course is surprisingly flat on the front-nine. The cleverly designed sharp dogleg par-5 8th as a hole is one of the best on the golf course. There are more elevation changes on the back-nine, where the closing sequence of holes supplies some needed additional features. The 15th starts the excellent closing stretch with a wonderfully plunging downhill par-3. The cleverly designed sharp dogleg par-5 8th as a hole is one of the best on the golf course, as well as the tricky par-4 16th with its overhanging giant trees preventing a simple route to the green for any short tee shots.
After the 16th take time-out from your 18-holes proper, to play the signature hole, a 170 yard par-3 carry over the Andaman Sea. Finally, it’s back to a very good uphill par-3 and then the terrific short par-5 closing hole.
The Els Club Teluk Datai offers full facilities, locker rooms, a Pro Shop and food & beverages. Golf equipment for hire is available and is also of good quality. Golf carts are included in the green fees while caddies are optional. Green fees are on the expensive side. Nevertheless, given the high standard this Malaysia golf course should be added to everyone’s must play list.
