Awana Genting Highlands Golf & Country Resort

Awana Genting Highlands Golf & Country Resort (also known as Resorts World Genting): Courses are sometimes described as tight. Thankfully, you then discover only a few holes fit that description. That's not the case here at the Awana golf course, located within the very popular Awana Genting holiday and entertainment resort. The Awana layout is characterised by undulating tightness from start to finish.

Drama, excitement and a backdrop of jungle-clad hills all await ... with the jungle frequently looming just a few yards beyond the narrow fairways. Accompanying the tree-lined holes, (where many fir trees are mixed in with indigenous and much broader-leaved jungle species), are some spectacular elevation changes, and many memorable views.

The backdrop at the par-4 3rd is simply jaw-dropping, with the Genting Highlands hotel and entertainment complex perched 4,000 feet above you at the top of the jungle-clad mountain.

When you get to the 12-metre wide fairway at the very tight par-4 14th, you'll be begging for more space from the tee, but the closing stretch will keep demanding your straightest game. Anything hit seriously off-line here is unlikely to be seen again, with thick jungle and menacing water hazards lying in wait. Although the presence of water is infrequent, your nerve will be tested at the par-3s, especially with ponds to cross directly in front of the 4th and 15th greens.

Risk-reward shots are regularly presented to golfers playing this layout. Those choosing the safer options, supported by accurate shot placement and good course management, will generally triumph over those trying to overpower this very scenic, well-presented and constantly challenging layout. Coping with the usually two-tier greens will also be a major factor in determining how far beyond your normal handicap you score.