Daiman 18 - Public Course Without The Pubic Hair

When I think of public facilities, 3 things come into my mind; overcrowding, uncleanliness, and poorly maintained amenities. Thinking about the dinghy shower rooms with choked plumbing at the Mandai Executive Golf Course makes me cower in the dark corner of my room. Most public toilets usually greet you with a scent of stale urine, complemented with unflushed faeces floating in the toilet bowls. These are the reasons why I had reservations about playing at Johor's Daiman 18 golf course. It is a public course, and there is no need for a booking. All you have to do is walk in even on a weekend!

Now, if Octville - a full-fledged golf club - has facilities lousier than my neighborhood community center, Daiman 18 - a public golf course - should be a lot worse isn't it? Well, I was pleasantly surprised.

Daiman 18 is situated about 20 minutes away from the causeway. Looking at how our driver navigated through the streets of Johor Bahru, it doesn't seem difficult to get there. Once you reach there, it looks and feels like a proper "golf club". You have the bag drop area, receptionist, cafes, restaurants, pro-shop, the works. Excellent for a public course!

Changing Room Facilities - Better than expected!
While this place does not have nice marbled finishes like Ria Bintan, but it's nicely maintained and the toilets, shower area, and "powder area" are logically located. Unlike Octville, it doesn't seem dark, it does not have flickering florescent tubes and it is properly carpeted.

Course - Most of it cow grass, but well maintained
Since I'm such a lousy golfer, I can't really tell if this course is easy or difficult. But, the conditions are pretty good, with avid groundsmen repairing the divots expeditiously. Landscaping-wise, I don't have much complaints. It is definitely more interesting than that flat, soul-less course at Marina Bay.

Will I come back again? - Yeah sure!
Though the prices are uncharacteristically steep for a public course at 70RM (even for AGN membership), facilities here are just as good, or even better than proper clubs in JB. All I need now is a better short game to make my overall experience less infuriating.


Scores (congratulations to SW!):