The Legends Golf & Country Resort located in Johor is an easy 40-minute drive from Singapore via the second causeway. The original concept was to offer championship courses, one designed by Jack Nicklaus, another by Arnold Palmer, the third by Gary Player to all Johor golf visitors. Only the Nicklaus course and 9-holes of the Arnold Palmer track was completed however.
The Legends Golf is a masterplanned resort, comprising golf courses designed by Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer; a superb equestrian centre, as well as a complete range of sporting, leisure, entertainment and resort facilities. The clubhouse is large and well-appointed. However, the on-site resort is probably best left to locals who want to get away for an overnight weekend round.
The par-72, 6,710 meter 18-hole Jack Nicklaus championship course was fully open for play in June 1997 and it was ranked the #1 golf course in Johor in 1998, 1999 and 2001. This championship course was also ranked one of the top three golf courses in Asia by Asian Golf Monthly in 2002. The layout is an enjoyable design with many elevation changes and sprawling bunkering, occupying relatively open terrain.
Each hole is full of character, imbued with its own challenges and views onto the neighboring palm oil plantation. From the back tees a number of the plunging drives are quite exciting, the holes bending around lakes, crossing ridges or heading toward distant shelves that fall away toward trouble.
The signature par-5 6th is played from an elevated tee, with two routes to the green on the second shot; the cautious “lay-up and pitch-on in three” is available, or the riskier carry over water and “on in two” strategy can be attempted.
The back-nine atThe Legends Golf & Country Club provides a much stiffer and very scenic test of golf. Water threatens every tee-shot from the par-4 11th through to the par-4 17th. Several of these holes are amongst the most daunting, yet breathtakingly beautiful that you’ll encounter in Malaysia. Elevated tees look down onto an exotic mix of small lakes and an enchanting array of tropical trees and flowering shrubs. The back nine resident monkeys may well take the opportunity to observe your progress, especially at the long par-5 16th.
The 18th fairway has a number of bunkers that jut out from the right hand side of the fairway, offering golfers a choice of carrying them to set up a shorter approach or play safe to the left, leaving a longer second shot to the home green.
The spectacular 9-hole Arnold Palmer designed 3,326 meter course complements the existing Jack Nicklaus Course, and is of the highest international standard. It offers a consummate mix of challenging play for golfers of all levels and lush tropical scenery.
