Nexus Golf Karambunai is an 18-hole championship course laid out between the South China Sea and Mount Kinabalu, where million-year-old rainforest meets white-sand beach. Drawn by world-renowned course architect Ronald Fream and opened in 1996, it has long been counted among Malaysia's finest resort courses. This package is a generous golf holiday that lets you play the course as much as you like throughout the itinerary — up to 27 holes a day (in 9-hole loops, up to 3 times).
The course at a glance
| Layout | 18 holes · par 72 · about 6,173 yards (championship course) |
|---|---|
| Design & opening | Designed by Ronald Fream (USA) · opened in 1996 |
| This package's golf schedule | Up to 27 holes a day (in 9-hole loops, up to 3 times) · up to 108 holes over the itinerary (based on 4 days) |
| Format | Self-play (caddie optional) · electric buggy (cart) included |
| Course character | Starts through jungle hills → runs along the beach (holes 3–5) · 12 landscaped lakes · doglegs · sea wind |
| Awards | "Best Resort Course in Malaysia" · "Best Course in East Malaysia," among others |
The "27 holes" in this package does not mean a 27-hole course; it's the maximum number of holes you can play in a day. You can play the 18-hole course in 9-hole loops, up to 3 times a day (= 27 holes), and round up to 108 holes in total over the itinerary (based on 4 days). With an on-site golf hotel right at the course, it's easy to finish a round, rest, and head back out, so this suits anyone who wants to play as much golf as possible. (The actual number of rounds depends on your condition that day, availability, and tee times.)
The character of the course — what makes it special
Ronald Fream's design begins through jungle hills on the front nine and flows so that the middle stretch (holes 3–5) hugs the beach. Winding fairways, finely contoured greens, the 12 landscaped lakes and water channels that cut across the course, and doglegs throughout demand not just distance but strategy. Add the sea wind blowing in off the South China Sea, and the same hole shows a different face every day.
· Sea wind: along the beach, the wind changes both distance and direction dramatically — take an extra club, keep the ball flight low.
· Lakes & channels: with so many doglegs and water hazards, the direction of your tee shot decides your score. Lay up rather than overreach.
· Greens: heavily contoured — read the speed and lines on the first two or three holes.
· The Mount Kinabalu view: clearest on a bright morning. An early tee-off favors the scenery, your score, and beating the heat alike.
The course sits on the same grounds as Nexus Resort & Spa (within walking distance), so it's a short trip from your room to the clubhouse. With a pro shop, driving range, putting and chipping practice greens, a golfers' lounge, lockers, and even a Korean restaurant, it's ideal even for several rounds a day (Chapters 9 & 12).
Course information (yardages, teeing areas, hole assignments) may vary with course operations and conditions on the day. Confirm the exact details for the day at golf check-in.