The Els Club Malaysia

What The Els Club Malaysia does

The Els Club Malaysia is a privately held, Malaysia-based golf and lifestyle operator running two premium destinations: The Els Club Desaru Coast in Johor and The Els Club Teluk Datai in Langkawi. The portfolio comprises 63 holes — a 27-hole Ernie Els-designed Ocean Course, an 18-hole Vijay Singh-designed Valley Course, and an 18-hole Ernie Els-designed Rainforest Course — all branded as signature championship courses targeting affluent amateur golfers, golf tourists, and corporate event clients. The company is a subsidiary of Themed Attractions Resorts & Hotels Sdn Bhd (TAR&H), and its facilities are managed by Troon Golf, the global leader in upscale golf hospitality management, which provides operational standards, agronomy oversight, and hospitality execution.

The business model is multi-revenue-stream and consumer-anchored. Core green fees at the Ocean and Valley courses range from MYR450-500 per person and MYR660 at the Rainforest Course (all 8% SST inclusive, with residency-based pricing for MyKad and MM2H holders). The company layers five additional revenue lines on top of green fees: (1) bundled Stay & Play packages with six partner hotels (Mandarin Oriental, Anantara, The Westin, Hard Rock Hotel, Four Points by Sheraton, The Datai Langkawi), priced from RM1,859 per person for two days/one night at Mandarin Oriental; (2) golf instruction at the Els Performance Golf Academy led by British PGA professionals; (3) on-site F&B across four venues (Big Easy Bar & Grill, 261 Restaurant, Lembah Restaurant, Hornbill Cafe); (4) corporate events, banquets, weddings, and team building with over 100 activity combinations; and (5) merchandise, equipment rental, and the recurring Privilege Pass annual membership for unlimited rounds. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via the Chronogolf online booking widget, phone, and email, supplemented by hotel-partner channel and international golf tourism events. Customer segments include premium individual golfers, golf tourists (notably from Singapore), corporate groups, and amateur female golfers targeted through the new Ladies Open 2026 tournament. The company holds multiple industry awards including Malaysia's Best Golf Course (World Golf Awards 2021, 2022, 2025) and Golf Digest's #1 ranking in Malaysia.

Name

The Els Club Malaysia

Legal name

TDR Golf Resorts Bhd (197351-H)

Website

https://elsclubmalaysia.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Els Club Malaysia operates 63 holes of championship golf across two premium Malaysian destinations — Desaru Coast (Ocean and Valley Courses) and Langkawi (Rainforest Course) — serving affluent amateur golfers, Singapore golf tourists, and corporate event clients, with operations managed by Troon Golf under parent TAR&H.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Premium Golf Resort & Hospitality

NAICS

Golf Courses and Country Clubs (713910)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Golf Courses & Golf Facilities (MPAKAEAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Golf Tours & Professional Circuits (MPAKAAAK), Golf Equipment, Apparel & Pro Shop Retail (CRAMABAG)

Keywords

• Premium golf courses
• Golf resort hospitality
• Stay and Play packages
• Championship golf experiences
• Corporate golf events

Headquarters

HQ city

Johor Bahru

HQ country

Malaysia

HQ region

Asia

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Green Fees: Revenue from 18-hole green fees at Ocean Course (27-hole with Coast, Ridge, Lakes), Valley Course, and Rainforest Course. Rates vary by weekday/weekend and residency status.
2. Stay & Play Packages: Bundled accommodation and golf packages with partner hotels including Mandarin Oriental, Anantara, Westin, Hard Rock Hotel, Four Points. Packages include 1-3 nights stay with multiple rounds of golf, breakfast, and amenities.
3. Golf Instruction: Revenue from golf lessons and instructional programs at Els Performance Golf Academy, including Stay and Learn Golf packages.
4. Food & Beverage: On-site dining at Big Easy Bar & Grill, 261 Bar & Restaurant, Lembah Restaurant, Hornbill Cafe. Includes alcoholic beverages, casual dining, and special culinary events.
5. Corporate Events & Tournaments: Hosting corporate golf events, tournaments, banquets, weddings, team building programs with group and tournament rates.
6. Equipment Rental: Rental sets, rental shoes, Bushnell Golf Speaker rentals, practice facilities access.
7. Merchandise: Golf shop sales of golf equipment and apparel.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Els Club Malaysia operates two premium golf resort destinations in Malaysia — The Els Club Desaru Coast in Johor (27-hole Ocean Course designed by Ernie Els and 18-hole Valley Course designed by Vijay Singh) and The Els Club Teluk Datai in Langkawi (18-hole Rainforest Course designed by Ernie Els). The company sells championship golf tee times, Stay & Play packages bundled with partner hotels, golf instruction at the Els Performance Golf Academy, on-site dining, and corporate event/tournament hosting across 63 holes of golf.

Product overview

The Els Club Malaysia is a premier golf and lifestyle destination comprising multiple distinct properties: The Els Club Desaru Coast in Johor (featuring the Ernie Els Signature Design Ocean Course with 27 holes and the Vijay Singh Signature Design Valley Course with 18 holes) and The Els Club Teluk Datai in Langkawi (featuring an Ernie Els Signature Design Rainforest Course with 18 holes). The portfolio spans a total of 63 holes across Malaysia's most scenic golfing venues. The offering integrates world-class golf with luxury hospitality through Stay & Play packages at partner hotels, fine dining at multiple venues (Big Easy Bar & Grill, 261 Restaurant, Hornbill Cafe, Lembah Restaurant), professional instruction at the Els Performance Golf Academy, event and banquet facilities, corporate team building programs, and a Privilege Pass membership. Managed by Troon Golf, the brand is inspired by four-time major champion Ernie Els' 20-plus years of championship golf experience.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Els Performance Golf Academy: Golf instruction and training facility at Desaru Coast offering lessons and practice facilities
• The Datai Pledge
• Privilege Pass

Products and services

• Ernie Els Signature Design Ocean Course 27-hole coastal championship golf course at Desaru Coast, Johor, designed by four-time major champion Ernie Els, with three distinct nine-hole courses (Coast, Ridge, Lakes) stretching alongside a 17km beach facing the South China Sea; available to golfers via tee time booking.
• Vijay Singh Signature Design Valley Course 18-hole par 72 championship golf course at Desaru Coast, Johor, co-designed by three-time major champion Vijay Singh with Ernie Els Design; features small greens with sharp undulations, GPS-enabled golf carts, and a full grass driving range with multiple target greens.
• Ernie Els Signature Design Rainforest Course 18-hole championship golf course at The Els Club Teluk Datai, Langkawi, designed by Ernie Els; nestled between ancient rainforest and the Andaman Sea with five holes along the water's edge and views of surrounding islands and white sandy beaches.
• Els Performance Golf Academy Standalone golf instruction service at Desaru Coast led by British PGA professionals, offering lessons and packages for all skill levels, with high-tech teaching facilities, on-course training, and practice areas; also offered via Stay and Learn Golf packages.
• Big Easy Bar & Grill On-site casual dining restaurant at the Ocean Course clubhouse offering seasonally driven menus with grill food, international flavors, local specialties, and Ernie Els' personal favorites, including wines from the Els Wines portfolio.
• 261 Bar & Restaurant Restaurant at the Ocean Course clubhouse named after Ernie Els' record 72-hole aggregate at the 2003 Mercedes Championship, offering dining with views of the course and sunset over the South China Sea.
• Hornbill Cafe Casual dining venue at The Els Club Teluk Datai, Langkawi, overlooking the Rainforest Course, holding up to 60 people for member and guest dining with scenic golf course views.
• Lembah Restaurant Restaurant at the Valley Course offering Malaysian, North Indian, and Fijian cuisine with panoramic views of the golf course and landscape.
• Stay & Play Packages Bundled golf and accommodation packages combining rounds at The Els Club courses with stays at partner hotels including Mandarin Oriental, Hard Rock Hotel, Anantara, The Westin, and Four Points by Sheraton Desaru Coast.

Quantifiable outcome

• Vijay Singh Signature Design Valley Course recognized as Malaysia's Best Golf Course 2025 by World Golf Awards
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• The Datai PledgeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2023Environmental conservation initiative at The Els Club Teluk Datai. RM10 added to green fees to support conservation, biodiversity, and community programs through Pure For The Future, Fish For The Future, Wildlife For The Future, and Youth For The Future pillars.
• Destination Resorts and Hotels Sdn Bhd (DRH)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 November 2014DRH is the owner of The Els Club brand and selected The Els Club Brand for Malaysian golf developments including The Els Club Teluk Datai and The Els Club Desaru Coast developments.
• Troon GolfcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTroon Golf, the world leader in upscale golf hospitality management, manages The Els Club Desaru Coast and its facilities. They provide operational expertise, standards, and hospitality management for the resort.
• Ernie Els (Ernie Els Design)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFour-time major champion Ernie Els designed The Els Club Teluk Datai (Rainforest Course) and The Els Club Desaru Coast Ocean Course. His signature design brand adds international credibility and championship-quality course architecture.
• Vijay SinghcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThree-time major champion Vijay Singh designed The Els Club Desaru Coast Valley Course in collaboration with the Ernie Els Design team, creating a unique world's first co-designed championship course.
• Mandarin Oriental Desaru CoastcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLuxury hotel partner for Stay & Play packages. Packages include accommodation at Mandarin Oriental, rounds at Ocean and Valley Courses, breakfast, and amenities. Resort spans 128 acres with suites and villas designed by Kerry Hill.
• Hard Rock Hotel Desaru CoastminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner hotel for Stay & Play golf packages at The Els Club Desaru Coast.
• The Westin Desaru Coast ResortminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner hotel for Stay & Play golf packages at The Els Club Desaru Coast.
• Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & VillasminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner hotel for Stay & Play golf packages at The Els Club Desaru Coast.
• Four Points by Sheraton DesaruminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPreferred accommodation partner for The Els Club Ladies Open 2026 tournament, offering special rates for tournament participants.
• The Datai LangkawicoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLuxury resort minutes away from The Els Club Teluk Datai Rainforest Course. Asia's 4th Best Hotel, epitomizing tropical luxury embedded in rainforest setting facing Andaman Sea, perfect hospitality complement to the golf course.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Royal Selangor Golf Club: Heritage Malaysian golf club in Kuala Lumpur with strong tournament heritage. Comparable as a top-tier Malaysian championship venue competing for corporate events and premium golfers.
• The Mines Resort & Golf Club: Malaysian premium integrated golf and lifestyle resort near Kuala Lumpur. Comparable on premium golf, lodging, F&B, and corporate events positioning within the Malaysian market.
• Sentosa Golf Club: Singapore's flagship premium golf destination hosting international tournaments and resort-style play. Directly comparable to The Els Club as a high-end, tourism-driven, championship-caliber Asian golf property with strong brand and award pedigree.
• Laguna Golf Phuket: Thailand integrated-resort championship golf course within the Banyan Tree Laguna Phuket complex. Directly comparable on resort-golf integration, hospitality partnerships, and Southeast Asia premium golf-tourism model.
• Forest City Golf Resort: Adjacent Johor integrated-resort golf development competing for the same Singapore-Malaysia golf tourism market. Comparable on integrated-resort positioning and cross-border tourist customer overlap.
• Banyan Golf Club Hua Hin: Thailand championship golf course designed by Banyan Tree's integrated-resort model. Comparable on tropical destination golf with co-designed signature course positioning and resort partnerships.
• Horizon Hills Golf & Country Club: Johor-based premium golf club within the Iskandar Malaysia corridor, also drawing Singapore golfers. Highly comparable as a same-state competitor to the Desaru Coast properties targeting the same cross-border catchment.
• Saujana Golf & Country Club: Long-established Malaysian premium golf and country club near KL, also affiliated with Marriott. Comparable on luxury golf club positioning, member and tourist revenue mix, and resort-style amenities.

Others

• Troon Golf: Global upscale golf hospitality management company. Included as an ecosystem participant — currently the operator/manager of The Els Club — making its broader managed-portfolio economics a useful comp for evaluating the Els Club's underlying operating performance.

Broad incumbents

• Mission Hills Group: China-based golf and leisure conglomerate operating multiple championship properties across Asia. Comparable as a larger, broader incumbent in the Asian destination-golf space with portfolio and licensing economics.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@theelsclubdesarucoast
• Facebookfacebook.com/TheElsClubDesaruCoast
• Instagraminstagram.com/theelsclubdc
• Xx.com/theelsclubdc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Els Club Malaysia