A cultural institution as much as its older sister course, the lightning greens and traditional layout mean this is a choice for the traditionalist. Dating back to 1893 and laying claim to be the founding father of golf in Malaysia, the Royal Selangor Golf Club remains today one of the premier golfing destinations in Malaysia. The New Course, which dates back to 1924, is wrapped around the front nine of its more renowned sister course over flat terrain dotted with 100 year old trees and man-made ponds. Added to the variety of wildlife, from chirping birds, friendly monkeys and wandering iguanas, it’s hard to believe you are just 5 minutes from downtown Kuala Lumpur. The course is as highly rated as the Old Course, and in many ways is pretty similar, the flat terrain enlivened by strong bunkering, but there are less bail-out areas, with the trees making some of the fairways pretty narrow. The slightly underwhelming fairways are compensated for by the fact that the table-top greens are seriously quick. You’ll be begging your (compulsory) caddy for advice before long. It’s a shame it’s so hard for them to advise you on how hard to hit the ball, as it is all too easy to putt it right off the green here.Were it not for the Petronas Towers that lurk in the background and give you the line for your drive on the opening hole, it would be easy to imagine that you were playing on a traditional home counties course, thanks to the ancient trees and parallel fairways and air of tradition that hangs over the course. There are no gimmicks here, just straightforward, quality holes like the enjoyable short 14th and the monstrous 18th, which plays at over 500 yards and requires your approach to avoid water on the right and a bunker right in front of the sloping green. It’s easy to see imagine the drama that can unfold here in competition. The staff are a great asset here, hundreds of them running around diligently doing their job – turn up really early and you will see them mowing the lawns in the dark with headlights on, ensuring that the course is in its usual immaculate condition.The clubhouse includes an excellent restaurant, plush locker rooms, swimming pool, gym, squash courts and snooker tables, and is a great place to spend some time being waited on hand and foot after a round. It also retains a tradition vibe – you can’t use your phone in the main lounge, which somehow adds to the old-school feel of the place. If you get the chance, a round on the New Course at Royal Selangor Golf Club comes as highly recommended as one on the Old Course.