Some say it's Heaven... and Heaven it must be for those who experience the beauty of nature along with the rejuvenation atmosphere at the Nexus Resort Karambunai and the Karambunai Resorts Golf Club on the Karambunai Penisula.

About 30km or a half-hour's drive from Kota Kinabalu near Meggatal is a beautifully-carted course stretching from the edge of low hills and reaching towards the sandy beaches. Designed by renowned American golf architect Ronald Fream, this 18 hole par 72 championship course requires a golfer to display both strength and strategy. There are several dogleg holes and the 13th (390m) will test your long and short game. Your drive must be solidly struck to permit a long iron second shot to the green, after which a deft putting shot is required to negotiate the bold contouring.

Meandering waterways, bunkers and ocean winds heightens the level of challenge, not to mention the distraction views.

The club is equipped with full buggy facilities, open-air driving range, practice chipping and putting greens, spacious changing and locker rooms, Pro-shop and F&B amenities.

The Nexus Resourt Karambunai just next door is the ultimate in luxurious living. Accom Villas and suites fronting the beach. There are numerous restaurants, entertainment club and loungers, Ballroom and convention facilities within the Resort.

A piece of absolute luxury rising from the waters. The Sutera Harbour Resort & Spa complex comprising two hotel wings ---- the deluxe Pacific Wing and the premium Magellan Wing, Sutera Convention & Exhibition Hall, the Sutera Harbour Marina, Golf & Country Club and upcoming Residences are entirely situated on reclaimed land, giving the entire area a front-row seat every evening when the setting sun puts on a spectacular show.

Centrally located in the heart of KK City and 10 minutes from the airport, this magnificent 27-hole comprises the lake (3140 m), Heritage (3176 m) and Garden (3176 m) Nines. A ‘masterpiece’ that combines nature with ingenious architecture to create a first-class course. Words from the man himself. The course features rolling terrain, waterways and strategically- placed bunkers and its fairways are covered with Bermuda 419 and the greens, Bermuda Tidwarf.

The 24th hole par 4,330 m (Garden Course) is the signature hole, the challenge provided both by the sandy waste and the ocean which comes perilously close to undulating green.

Night golfing was recently introduced and provides an alternative to golfers who shun the sun. You can play 20 holes --- lakes Course, Garden Course and 17th & 18th Heritage Course.

There is also a driving range, putting green, chipping and bunker practice area, Resident Pro and Pro-shop, locker-rooms with sauna facilities. Day golf tee-times are between 5.02 pm till 9.00 pm In-house guests at the Sutera are allowed cross-signing privileges and access to all recreational, entertainment and restaurant outlets.

There is always something alluring about railways. And as you drive along the beaufort highway near the old railway tracks, your mind goes back to the days gone by, when bulcan steam engines chugged along, their whistles blowing while passengers perched on wooden seats ate lunch out of tiffin boxes.

About 69km from Kota Kinabalu or an hour;s drive along the Beaufort highway at Bongawan, you will find a gem of a golf course, reputed to having the most excellently maintained Bermuda Tifdwarf greens this side of the country.

Designed by the legendary jack Nicklaus, this superbly –crafted buggy course plays 6546meters off the championship tees. Spread over 200 acres on a 900-acre site, the natural features of the lagoon and surrounding terrain is played up to dramatize the water hazards as well as the wasteland and bunkers, giving a strong character to this ‘Golden Bear’ course. The unspoilt beauty of its surroundings takes your breath away, literally as you struggle to focus on your game whilst battling stiff ocean winds on the back nine.

Its signature hole 14, par 3, 172 meters, Index 8 entails a daunting tee shot across a cove, further complicated by crosswinds up to 60 mph blowing in from the South China Sea. Elsewhere on the course, numerous water hazards, natural or otherwise, and 84 bunkers await you.

In 2001, the club hosted the 41st South East Asia Amateur Team Golf Championship, aka the “Putra Cup” which has its history going back to 1961. The clubhouse offers a myriad of facilities for golfer s and non-golfers alike including a golfers’ lounge, golf pro shop, locker rooms, games rooms, karaoke and billiards. There is also a driving range, practice area, resident pro and putting green at the club.

The BGCC is further complemented by the facilities of the Prescott Resort Hotel situated just besides the Clubhouse. Guests can stay in fully equipped chalet-like accommodation and enjoy the many recreational activities lined up for them like swimming, racquet games and fishing.

In the Tuaran district, about 35 km away, or a 40 minutes drive from Kota Kinabalu and among idyllic kampungs or villages, is the Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resorts and Dalit Bay Golf and Country Club, often described as a perfect sanctuary with its own nature reserve, wildlife and private beaches.

The Dalit Bay golf course is a uniquely designed 18 holes, par 72 golf courses by Ted Parslow of E&G Parslow (M) Sdn Bhd, which maintains the natural landscaping of the area. It consists of two nines, the Mengkabong Nine and the Tambalang Nine.

Formerly a mangrove swamp, the course is bordered by the Tambalang and Mengkabong rivers which sees the Tambalang River emptying into the South China Sea. In fact, its signature hole 11, par 3 streches 158m across the river mouth and requires you to land your ball on a gentle sloping green flanked either side by bunkers. Sometimes you may find an orangutan or two hanging around, watching.

Being a wetland area. It is not surprising that water comes into play at every hole. These numerous water hazards and bunkers, coupled with the natural greenery around the course provides for stimulation play. The fairways are covered with Greenlees Park and the greens, Tifdwarf . Mt Kinabalu can be clearly seen in the distance.

The clubhouse has many facilities including restaurant, driving range, putting green, chipping and bunker practice area, changing rooms and Pro-shop.