Horizon Hills is a gated township development located in Iskandar Puteri, Johor Bahru District, Johor, Malaysia. There are many homes in the township and the majority have been built in clusters, to encourage community spirit and there are also lakes, parks and gardens for the residents to enjoy. However, the pick of the facilities in Horizon Hills, has to be the golf course.
Horizon Hills Golf and Country Club was developed at a cost of $10 million US and was opened for business in May 2008. The course was designed by world renowned Australian golf course architect, Ross Watson and there are many standout features for golfers to enjoy. The championship course measures in at 6,271 metres and plays to a par-72, with Bermuda greens and paspalum fairways.
The greens are very quick and undulating, providing a real test with the putter. Having the ability to read a green well, will certainly be useful at Horizon Hills Golf and Country Club, because this will be where many shots are gained or lost. Many of the holes have quite significant elevation changes, from tee to green and this makes club selection very important. Also, many of the fairways feature large bunkers and water is prevalent throughout the course, with perhaps the par-4, fourth hole being the pick of the front nine.
Much of the golf course at Horizon Hills is built on Watson’s famous ‘risk and reward’ philosophy and the fourth hole is no exception. The view from the elevated tee is both fantastic and daunting in equal measure and although it’s a short hole for a par-4, the dogleg right and the water hazard, which stretches the length of the hole, past the green, makes the fourth hole at Horizon Hills a great experience to play. The choice is simple, play safe to the left but leave a longer second shot to the green, which will make it difficult to keep the ball on the putting surface or risk cutting off as much of the water as possible, leaving a nice sand wedge approach, which can be easily controlled.
These are the choices faced by visitors to Horizon Hills Golf and Country Club and it all adds up to a tremendous golfing experience. Additional facilities include a lovely clubhouse complex, boasting an Olympic size swimming pool, gym and tennis courts. There is also the golfer’s Terrace, serving cuisine from around the world, plus a bar, café and Chinese restaurant.