Course Overview

The highly distinguished Starhill Golf & Country Club stands as a premier 36-hole world-class championship golf resort located in the strategic area of Kempas Lama, Skudai, just north of Johor Bahru, Malaysia. Built by the prestigious Sumitomo Mitsui Construction Co. and established in 1993, this historic property is owned and managed by Japanese interests, holding a legendary status for attracting top-tier golfers from both Malaysia and Singapore. The resort boasts two contrasting 18-hole courses—the Bintang and the Bukit—masterfully designed by acclaimed architect Max Wexler to challenge players of all tiers. Conveniently located just 20 minutes from the Singapore Woodlands Causeway via the Tebrau Highway and 23 minutes from Senai International Airport, it offers international golf travelers an accessible, high-value, and deeply relaxing destination for an elite Malaysia golf holiday.

Contrasting Parkland Layouts Over Undulating Terrains

Maintained to meticulous standards with Japanese precision, the 36-hole complex features premium Zoysia Matrella fairways and immaculate Tifdwarf Bermuda putting surfaces that guarantee consistent, lightning-fast playability year-round. The property features two distinct layouts: the Bintang Course (meaning "star") is a traditional, highly walkable parkland layout that hosts the premier regional tournaments, while the Bukit Course (meaning "hill") presents a rugged, cart-only mountain challenge with dramatic elevation changes and sweeping hillside vistas.

Starhill serves as a comprehensive and highly entertaining test of golf, perfectly balancing strategic thinking with shot-making precision. The Bintang Course features good-width, contoured fairways that gracefully snake through rolling rural countryside; however, these fairways frequently narrow into tight landing windows. The layout is aggressively fortified with a high proliferation of deep sand bunkers and frequent lakes that aggressively guard the large greens, creating a rewarding puzzle that heavily penalizes wayward shots while remaining highly enjoyable for casual holiday golfers.

Notable and Memorable Design Details

The 36-hole complex delivers an exceptionally unique playing experience across both its signature courses, defined by memorable layouts and creative water hazards:

• The Famous Star-Shaped 16th Hole (Bintang Course): The absolute star of the show. A breathtaking 194-yard par-3 that requires a highly accurate tee shot directly over a scenic pond onto a green literally shaped like a five-point star.
• The Dangerous Water-Skirted 11th Hole (Bintang Course): A tight par-5 dogleg-left that is fiercely flanked by an expansive lake along the entire right side, forcing players to execute precise distance control to protect their scorecards.
• The Dynamic Closing Holes (17th & 18th - Bintang Course): A grueling finish where the par-4 17th demands a high-risk cut over mature tree canopies, followed by the long 604-yard par-5 18th which requires a tight, controlled fade off the tee.
• The Mountain-Style Bukit Course: Characterized by severe elevation drops, steep hillside corridors, and modern valley layouts that demand high-altitude carries and absolute precision on approach.

Grand Clubhouse Amenities & Family Water Park Leisure

Starhill Golf & Country Club ensures complete relaxation and complete family entertainment, keeping its rich country club tradition alive. Before heading out, golfers can perfectly fine-tune their accuracy at the spacious, well-sheltered driving range that features multiple tee-boxes and targets—perfectly equipped with professional floodlights for night practice until 10:00 PM. The lifestyle experience is fully elevated by a grand, spacious clubhouse featuring the outdoor terrace of the Starhill Café, which serves authentic local Halal Malaysian favorites and Western dishes, alongside the formal Hilltop Restaurant. Uniquely suited for complete family getaways, the club boasts a massive outdoor water park playground complete with a lazy river, cascading waterfalls, and dedicated kids' water slides, making Starhill a mandatory premium stop for any Southern Malaysia golf trip.