One of the best new courses in Asia is the Els Club Teluk Datai, nestled between the Andaman Sea and lush mountains on Langkawi Island
Originally built in 1992, the jungle-lined course underwent an extensive redesign by South African legend Ernie Els and reopened for play in early 2014. The par 72, 6760-yard layout plays into the foothills of the Mat Cincang mountain range and out to the sea, featuring five sea-fronting holes. The course has a unique feature - the total absence of bunkers as Els and his design team felt that the rainforest setting provides enough natural hazards.
The par-three 17th plays over a small cove and offers superb views of the Andaman Sea, as does the par-five seventh which zigzags its way to a beachside peninsula green.
Managed by upscale golf management specialists Troon Golf, it forms part of The Els Club Malaysia which includes a 54-hole course at Desaru Coast in Johor.
Green fees are pricey but well worth it. Buggies are allowed on the fairways and caddies are available.
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