Penang Golf Resort: This large and expansive tract of former palm oil plantation, has been transformed into two very similar championship layouts - the East and West courses - promoted as Malaysia's Jewel in the North. The courses are in many ways identical twins, with little to choose between them. Plenty of earthmounding, numerous stylishly designed bunkers, a handful of water hazards, contoured fairways and a light scattering of trees breaks up the essential flatness of the terrain. As you look across the open parkland, there are golf holes just about as far as the eye can see, although once on the course you'll be surprised how much space there is between them, and how "intrusions" from other fairways are rare. The good-width fairways (sometimes generously wide) and light semi-rough give the course an easy-going feel from the tee, but care will be needed on the approach shots, particularly with water present at the close of both the front and back nines. Maintenance of the course is satisfactory, without being immaculate, although the greens are usually presented in excellent condition. The only OB you'll come across is around the perimeter, inside of which all 36-holes of the East and West are laid out, without housing or other constructions detracting from the seemingly endless array of golf holes. As on the East course, a bit of traffic noise can be heard from the North-South highway, especially when it skirts alongside the par-5 13th. The heavily bunkered 17th is an excellent par-3, also protected by water on the right. Water also poses most of the questions on the left to right dog-legging par-5 18th.