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Johor has well over a dozen golf courses within about an hour of the Singapore border, from established parkland clubs in Johor Bahru to resort courses at Forest City and Desaru Coast. For an early tee time, the key is the crossing: leave Singapore around 5:30 to 6am, choose Woodlands for courses in JB city and the east, and the Tuas Second Link for Iskandar Puteri and Forest City. Below is a guide to the main courses by area, how long each takes to reach, and the practical details that make a golf day across the border run smoothly.
Why Singapore golfers play in Johor
Weekend tee times in Singapore can be hard to get, especially for non-members. Across the border there are far more courses to choose from, visitors are generally welcome with an advance booking, and green fees are often lower. The trade-off is the checkpoint, which is why timing and transport matter as much as the course you pick.
Golf courses in Johor by area
Drive times below are rough estimates from the checkpoint on the Malaysian side in light traffic, and do not include the time spent crossing the border.
| Course | Area | Holes | Best crossing | Drive from checkpoint |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Johor Country Club | Jalan Larkin, JB | 18 | Woodlands | About 15 min |
| Ponderosa Golf & Country Club | Eastern JB | 18 | Woodlands | About 20 min |
| Austin Heights Golf & Hotel Resort | Mount Austin | 27 | Woodlands | About 25 min |
| Daiman 18 Golf Club | Johor Jaya | 18 | Woodlands | About 20 min |
| Tanjong Puteri Golf Resort | Pasir Gudang | 54 (three courses) | Woodlands | About 40 min |
| Palm Resort Golf & Country Club | Senai | 54 (three courses) | Woodlands | About 35–40 min |
| Horizon Hills Golf & Country Club | Iskandar Puteri | 18 | Tuas Second Link | About 20 min |
| Forest City Golf Resort | Gelang Patah | 36 (two courses) | Tuas Second Link | About 15 min |
| The Els Club Desaru Coast | Desaru | 45 (two courses) | Woodlands | About 1.5 hours |
Johor Bahru city and the east
Royal Johor Country Club on Jalan Larkin is one of the state's oldest clubs, and its course became Johor's first full 18 holes in 1974. It is a hilly, tree-lined parkland layout close to the city centre; some directories now list it as Johor Golf & Country Club. Ponderosa Golf & Country Club is an 18-hole, par-72 course in the eastern suburbs, a short drive from the Causeway. Near Mount Austin, Austin Heights Golf & Hotel Resort has 27 holes played as three nines on rolling ground, and Daiman 18 in Johor Jaya is a compact 18-hole option for a quick round.
Further east in Pasir Gudang, Tanjong Puteri Golf Resort has three courses: the Plantation Course on former estate land, the water-heavy Village Course and the Straits Course along the coast and mangroves. It is a good choice for a group that wants variety on a single trip.
Senai, near the airport
Palm Resort Golf & Country Club has three 18-hole courses, Allamanda, Cempaka and Melati, plus a hotel on site. It is next to Senai International Airport, which makes it handy if part of your group is flying in from elsewhere in Malaysia. Buggies are compulsory on all three courses, according to the club's listings.
Iskandar Puteri and Forest City (via the Second Link)
Horizon Hills Golf & Country Club is an 18-hole championship course in Iskandar Puteri, set among the Horizon Hills housing estate. Forest City Golf Resort, close to the Malaysian end of the Second Link, has two 18-hole courses: the Classic Course and the Legacy Course, the latter designed by Jack Nicklaus with Jack Nicklaus II. The Classic Course was named Malaysia's top-ranked course in a 2026 Asian course ranking announced in May 2026.
Desaru Coast
The Els Club Desaru Coast has 45 holes: the 27-hole Ocean Course, designed by Ernie Els, which runs along the South China Sea in three loops, and the 18-hole Valley Course, a collaboration between Els and Vijay Singh that opened in 2017. Desaru is about an hour and a half from the border, so it suits a full day out or an overnight stay. Our Desaru page covers the journey and what else there is to do.
Course names, layouts and visitor policies change over time. Check each club's official website or call them to confirm details and rates before you book.
Tee-time logistics: planning the day
Book the tee time first
Most clubs want visitors to book in advance, and weekend morning slots go first. When you book, ask about buggy and caddie rules, dress code, what payment the club accepts, and the cancellation policy in case of a jam or heavy rain.
Work back from your tee time
For a 7:30am tee time at a JB club, a pick-up in Singapore at around 5:30 to 6am usually leaves time for the crossing, checking in and a few warm-up balls. Courses further out, such as Senai, Pasir Gudang or Desaru, need an earlier start. Early mornings are usually the quickest time to cross, but Saturdays and the day before a public holiday can be busy even then. Check our live checkpoint traffic page the evening before and again when you leave.
Choose the right checkpoint
Woodlands is the shorter route for JB city, the east, Senai and Desaru. The Tuas Second Link is best for Horizon Hills and Forest City, and is often less congested. Our comparison of Woodlands vs Tuas Checkpoint explains the difference in more detail.
Mind the weather
Afternoon thunderstorms are common in Johor, and clubs stop play when lightning is nearby. Morning rounds are cooler and less likely to be interrupted.
Documents and customs
- Every golfer needs a passport with at least six months' validity. See our MDAC guide for Malaysia's arrival card rules.
- Your own golf clubs are used personal belongings, which Singapore Customs covers under GST relief with no value cap. New equipment bought in Malaysia counts towards your GST import relief when you come back into Singapore.
Golf bags and vehicles: what fits
Golf bags are bulky, so match the car to the number of bags, not just the number of players.
| Group | Suggested vehicle |
|---|---|
| 1–2 golfers with full bags | Toyota Alphard, Vellfire or Hyundai Staria (takes 2 large bags plus 4 hand-carry pieces) |
| A four-ball with bags | Toyota Hiace (up to 9 passengers with luggage) |
| Company outings and larger groups | Van 18-seater (up to 13 passengers with luggage) |
See the MPV fleet and the Hiace and van page for photos and capacities. When you book, tell us how many bags you have and whether any are large tour-size bags, so we can confirm the right vehicle.
One car for the whole golf day
A round of golf rarely ends at the 18th green. There is lunch, maybe a stop for durian or seafood, a bit of shopping, then the drive home. Our Day Trip Service books a car and driver by the hour, in 8, 10 or 12-hour packages: the driver picks everyone up from their doors in Singapore, waits while you play, takes you to lunch and brings you home. You stay in the car through immigration at both checkpoints, and nobody has to drive after a long morning in the sun. For a simple drop-off and pick-up instead, a one-way transfer with paid waiting time also works. Fares are per car and the same in both directions, with tolls, checkpoint fees, fuel and parking included.
Planning a golf day in Johor? Read how to book, see the Singapore to Johor page, or Whatsapp us with your course, tee time, number of golfers and bags. There is no deposit; you pay the driver on arrival.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time should I leave Singapore for a morning tee time in JB?
For a tee time around 7:30am at a club near JB city, leaving home at about 5:30 to 6am is usually enough. Allow more time on Saturdays, before public holidays, and for courses in Senai, Pasir Gudang or Desaru.
Which golf courses are closest to the Second Link?
Forest City Golf Resort in Gelang Patah and Horizon Hills Golf & Country Club in Iskandar Puteri are the nearest well-known courses to the Tuas Second Link.
How many golf bags fit in an MPV?
Our Alphard, Vellfire and Staria take two large bags plus some hand-carry items, so they suit one or two golfers with full bags. For four golfers with bags, book a Toyota Hiace.
Do I need to declare my golf clubs at the checkpoint?
Your own used clubs are personal belongings and are covered by GST relief. New clubs or equipment bought in Malaysia count towards your GST import relief when you return to Singapore, so keep the receipts.
Can the driver wait while we play?
Yes. With the Day Trip Service you book the car by the hour (8, 10 or 12 hours), and the driver stays with you for the round, lunch and the trip home.
Last updated: 14 October 2026
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