Horizon Hills Golf & Country Club

Horizon Hills is a hidden jewel among Johor golf courses. Developed in 2008 on 1,200 hectares in the heart of Nusajaya, the 6,271 meter par-72 championship layout was designed by renowned architect Ross Watson. The sprawling 18-hole international championship golf course was officially opened in 2008 and shortly thereafter the 2010 Asian Tour’s Iskandar Johor Open was hosted by the club.

Horizon Hills was designed using the "risk-reward" principle while at the same time preserving the natural terrain of the land. Many holes have large elevation changes from tee to green.  Another exceptional characteristic of the golf course are the bunkers with sweeping sand faces. Additionally, man-made waterfalls, lakes and ponds pose many interesting challenges, for both serious and aspirant golfers.

One of the most notable holes is the 500 meter second hole. For most players this is a genuine 3 shot par-5 playing up a valley floor, which is bisected by a menacing creek. This creek poses some serious questions, which must be addressed. Average players will be best served if they treat this hole as a par 6 laying-up short of the two forced creek crossings. Better players will be challenged to carry the creek crossings. This is a genuine risk and reward hole and should be treated with great respect. It offers the chance of par but could easily produce a double bogey or worse if not managed properly.

The moment of truth arrives on the last 2 holes. The 17th is a 135 meter par-3. The green is large, but with variable winds wafting up and down the valley and surrounded by water it is sure to be many players' undoing. Of course, to merely hit the green may not be enough when pin locations are close to the surrounding water as the green is anything but flat. To score a 3 on this hole will be a great relief.

The final hole is a  par-5 can be played in 3 shots to the green by laying-up from the tee, followed by a fairway wood to the main second landing area and then a mid to short iron approach across the corner of the lake which guards the green. This seems simple enough but anything offline will require a strategy re-think with water continuous on the right from tee through to the green and several strategically placed fairway bunkers along the way. Long hitters have the option to take-on the island fairway from the tee, but this requires a carry of 250 meters.

Once on the island fairway golfers will then be faced with another daunting shot over water to a green surrounded by water on three sides. This is surely a hole where some very memorable heroics will take place and it is destined to be a global talking point after the round.

Club facilities include 5-star services, such as an Olympic-sized swimming pool, gym, tennis courts, sports activities, restaurants, and a large ballroom. Horizon Hills Golf & Country Club is definitely one golf course to include on your play list if you golfing in Johor.