The Mines - West Malaysia - Malaysia

One of the interesting things about host sites for major golf events is that there's no guarantee the overall course architecture will be compelling. That's the case with The Mines.

The main claim to fame for the facility is that in 1999 the club hosted the World Cup of Golf and a super talented Tiger Woods propelled himself to the individual title and partnered with Mark O'Meara to claim the team title for the USA. Tiger's four-round total of 263 (-21) was good for a nine-stroke win over runner-up and now CBS-Golf commentator Frank Nobilo of New Zealand.

The layout is balanced with one side weaving tree bracketed holes -- the other more exposed with water penalty areas a factor.

In terms of other Malaysia golf courses, The Mines clearly stands apart. Turf conditions were good but given the daily high heat and humidity there's really no ground game to speak about.

The detailing of the greens is engaging at times but there's nothing present on a consistent basis that truly pushes the experience to a higher level.

Of the two nines -- the inwards half is more notable. The risk/reward par-5 11th is a fine challenge with water dominating the entire left side. The bunker arrangement you encounter borders on the overkill and could have been placed and shaped in a far different manner.

The driveable par-4 15th is a fun hole. Water clearly in play down the right side which tugs close to the green.

The closing hole is very good too. The 18th plays 447 yards and a cluster of trees must be avoided so that one's approach shot is not impeded.

Overall, The Mines is clearly among the most impressive of layouts for Malaysia. But, is it worth the mega-hour flight to get there from most parts on the globe? The short answer -- no.

M. James Ward

I played The Mines whilst traveling on business in Malaysia & it didn't disappoint. I could remember watching on TV The World Cup of Golf when Tiger & Mark O won at a canter, and some of the hole memories came flooding back (albeit my 2nd shot was from much further back).

From the moment you arrive at the club (unfortunately the entrance looks like its an industrial estate), you are treated like royalty. The range is a little disappointing, as the turf was more rough-like than the manicured fairways you would expect at TPC KL.

My caddy for the day suggested we start on the 12th, thus avoiding the slower groups from nearby countries, which was a stroke of genius, as we managed to fly around the back 9 before running into the slower groups going off the 1st.

Regarding said caddy, they really do earn their money, his green reading was superb, although his clubbing was questionable (I didn't take his advice after the 2nd short wedge). He had caddies for Sergio Garcia earlier in the year, maybe he thought I hit the ball like Sergio (which I very much don't!).

The course is a good Trent Jones Jnr design, good bunkering, fast & firm greens, playing its full length as the grass is brushed back to the tee, and the surrounds are also brushed into the ball making chipping very different to the links turf I'm used to.

Overall I would recommend anyone with a day to kill in KL play this course, maybe its not as famous as the TPC KL, but still offers a challenge from the tee, where length is not as important as accuracy. If you can putt well you should score well around this track, as the greens are the main defence, miss them the wrong side & you will struggle to turn 3 shots into 2.

I would suggest phoning the course & then checking if your Hotel can get a cheaper rate, as the difference can be massive!

Overall, an enjoyable course which offers a good challenge.

I played the Mines on a rather grey day but nevertheless enjoyed it thoroughly. The clubhouse is huge and the car park is full of Rolls and Ferraris etc. I had marvelous caddy called Jumbo who seemed to be able to club me before I had even hit a ball. This is an interesting course with a great variety of holes but I would not say that it was very difficult. It is a course surrounded by house ( and these house are huge palaces) Play the Mines if you can get reasonable price.

There are some really dramatic fun holes at the Mines but not so many on the front nine. From the 3rd hole the course looks remarkably like it could be back in England, very green, very lush with mature trees everywhere. Weakest hole for me was the par-3 8th, small green with some run-offs but that's about it - the 9th hole is a short par-4 turning left from raised tee which is memorable but it is a good hole? Not for me. The back 9 is completely different with the huge lake in play for the best part of the duration. Tough drive on the 10th, controlled fade needed without a doubt. The 11th is a tough par-5 with the green nudging the lakeside. Behind the 12th green there is a fantastic hotel; breathtaking in fact....the back 9 continues with most holes across the water. The tee at the 17th hole has a plaque marking the eagle that Tiger Woods had during the 1999 World Cup but to be honest as a par-5 I would imagine that the pros will now have eagle chances galore. The US PGA Tour are visiting Malaysia and The Mines for the first time later in 2010 - if Tiger is in the field let us hope he is back to working on those eagles rather than the birdies!