Darul Aman Golf Club - Kedah

Its been awhile i blog about Northern Golf Courses....not missing in action just play lesser golf. OK as promise to my loyal readers who have been following my golf blog. Here i present you Darul Aman Golf Club located in Northern Kedah; one of my long time favorite golfing paradise. This is one of the top notch course you find in Northern region. Throughout my experience this is long short course depending on how you want to view it. There are certain holes truly long and you will die to remember it where as there are also short holes (that you tend to forget) hahaha....so i call it long short course. This is a PAR 72 6340 meters (from blue tee) course; not the longest in total; Jawi Hill Course is at least a PAR 5 longer. Based on my personal experience, this course is not crowded; the last one played was during Raya holiday, virtually the course is ours only 4 flights insight (2 flights are my group). The golfing rate is considered affordable, folks who have AGN will save quite a bit; if its not mistaken green fees inclusive buggy is $50+. We had the Ramadan offer at $56/person. Before it slip out of my mind they have caddies as option a big plus on my log book...hehehe

Before drifting away to the nonsense, lets get back to some serious blogging....lol. The Australian designed course gives golfers (amateurs and professionals) plenty of challenges, for starters a PAR 5 hole # 1 gives many the ever reaching distance. Wide generous fairways disguise the actual length further making it seems longer. For long hitters this is not an advantage hole as well cos there are bunkers within reach placed strategically. Second shot to reach the green is almost impossible. Follow on is a long straight PAR 4 with generous fairway; the flag is pined at the backdrop of this hole. The 3rd hole is a long PAR 3, from blue tee its 190+ meters. Hole #4 is a short one but not for long as the fifth hole is the longest PAR 5 in DAGC, 544 meters dog leg right. The tee of is over a pond, for slicers its definitely a water hazard penalty; a second shot requires a carry over a creek; on 3rd shot green approach, right side is guarded with bunkers while left side is water hazard. Seems like a long course already right? i bet that's what the architect has in mind when designing it.

In general DAGC has beautiful greens with an average speed of 8 - 10. It always give me my memorable putting days in US - they are not fast but comparatively fast when you put BJCC in the picture (my home course). Despite fast greens they have, hi flyers will be rewarded by their soft greens (even softer when there is an over night rain). Ball bite or even the PGA backspin standard is achievable here. Remember to equip yourself with divot tool, you will need them to repair not only your ball mark but also others. Overall greens are undulating and breaks can easily be misread.

Fairways are generous in most holes and they are Bermuda grass. underneath the grass its red soil which is harder than usual soil, so a slight duff shot kills your distance big time. This is also another reason for golfers to think this is a long course - a short hit. The fairways are hilly for most of the US folks who visit and play, lots of ball above/below feet play that you have to manage. The course has a good mixture of landscape ranging from hilly fairway holes to water hazard fairway holes to flat and wide fairway holes, so it's definitely a mind challenging variety. Hole 4, 5, 6, 10, 16 and 17 are the ones with water hazard trappers. 2 long PAR 3s and 2 short ones; longest requires a 5W wood for me will the shortest one i need a 8 iron. Longest PAR 4 is hole 9, driver with 250m carry is needed to fly over lots of bunker traps and leaving you with a 160m approach, club house is nicely scene at the background. Hole 7 is a short PAR 4 but what interest me is the small peanut shape with lots of slope making it a challenge on the approach shot.

Tee boxes are all right, as you can see signs of over use and under maintenance. Even with drivers tee off you see divots all over. Take away this issue most of the tee box is flat and give golfers a good choice on how he/she wanted to play the first tee off - yes is not only flat but big enough too.

Club house is not bad, all the necessity is there; shower, changing lockers, WC, mirror, basin and etc. They are a little old that all. Terrace is alright as you will be able to enjoy hole 9 and 18 view provided you had the limited seats. Food wise is OK with a variety of western and eastern cuisine at your pick. But if you were to head out for a meal prepare to drive a little before you get good food; DAGC is remotely located. The driving range is available as well but i have never use it. Pro shop is strategically place where you will see it the moment you drop off your bag and register yourself for a round. Pro shop is operated by Pan West and has a variety of clubs and accessories, when sale comes they are among the best deals you will get there - don't ask me why. There are rooms for distance golfers as well, so family who tag along with a planned trip can put a night or two and kids can enjoy the club house facilities and swimming pool.

I always look forward to play in DAGC as it gives me sweet memories of their distinctive 18 hole layout - you will never forget them ALL!!!.