The South China Sea divides Malaysia’s two distinct geographical regions: East Malaysia on the island of Borneo and West Malaysia, also known as the Malay Peninsula or Peninsula Malaysia. West Malaysia comprises of eleven states and two federal territories in an area covering just over 50,000 square miles. The Thai border forms a boundary to the north and the island of Singapore lies immediately to the south, separated from West Malaysia by the Johore Strait.

Around 25 million people live in this region, a large proportion reside in and around the country’s capital, Kuala Lumpur, which is one of Southeast Asia’s most progressive metropolitan areas. The thickly wooded Titiwangsa Mountains form the backbone of the Malay Peninsula, running north to south, with the Straits of Malacca off the west coast acknowledged as one of the world’s busiest shipping routes.

Almost one hundred and twenty West Malaysian clubs are affiliated to the Malaysian Golf Association (more than 80% of its membership) so it will probably come as no surprise to learn that the vast majority of courses featured in our national chart are also from the same geographical location, with 18-hole layouts around the capital claiming most of the highest ranking positions.