After 18 holes on a walking course, an energetic session in the gym or a hard game on the racquet courts, recovery can be just as important as the activity itself.
RSGC has added a new dimension to that recovery journey with the opening of its Contrast Therapy Facility, bringing heat and cold together in a dedicated wellness space for Members. Officially opened on 29 August 2026, the new facility features two private contrast rooms, each equipped with an infrared sauna and ice bath, together with shower facilities.
For a closer look at the new facility and how Members can make use of it, we spoke with Shankar Shanmugam, Executive, Sports, who was involved in the project and liaised with Rise & Plunge, the specialist provider engaged to supply the equipment and support its ongoing maintenance.
Located next to The Rotunda and children’s pool, the facility sits within easy reach of the poolside changing rooms and the newly opened gymnasium. Its location places it between the Club’s golf, gym and racquet sports facilities, making recovery a natural extension of an active day at RSGC.
FROM IDEA TO REALITY
The idea of introducing contrast therapy at RSGC was first proposed in November 2025 by the previous Sports Sub-Committee led by Justin Ong, in response to growing Member interest in recovery and wellness alongside physical performance.
The project received approval the following month, with planning and development taking place from January to May 2026. Construction commenced in June and was completed in August, before the facility welcomed Members for the first time on 29 August.
The former children’s playroom was repurposed for the project as part of the wider RSGC Sports Community Project, transforming the space into two private rooms designed specifically for contrast therapy.
The objective was to create a purpose-built space where Members could incorporate recovery into an active lifestyle following golf, gym training or general exercise, complementing the Club’s existing fitness and wellness offerings.
FROM HEAT TO COLD
At the heart of contrast therapy is a straightforward idea: controlled exposure to heat followed by cold. Each of RSGC’s two private rooms contains an infrared sauna and an ice bath. Unlike the Club’s existing traditional saunas, which are heated by stoves with volcanic rocks, the new facility uses infrared saunas, providing Members with a different form of heat experience.
For a typical session, Members begin with the sauna before taking a quick shower and moving to the ice bath. The guidance provided for the facility suggests approximately 30 minutes in the sauna followed by three to six minutes of controlled cold immersion.
For first-time users, the experience is intended to be straightforward, with the transition from heat to cold forming the basis of the session. And yes, eventually you do have to get into the cold water.
WHY RECOVERY MATTERS
The thinking behind the facility extends beyond simply adding another amenity. For golfers, the connection is particularly relevant. A round involves repeated rotational movements through the back and shoulders, considerable use of the legs and, in Malaysia, prolonged exposure to heat. The facility provides another option for Members looking to incorporate recovery after a round or training session.
The same principle applies beyond golf. Members coming from the gym, racquet sports or other physical activities can incorporate a contrast session into their wider fitness and recovery routine. More broadly, the facility reflects an evolving approach to fitness and wellness at the Club: what happens after the activity matters too.
Early response has been encouraging, with the new facility generating curiosity among Members interested in exploring contrast therapy.
BEFORE YOU TAKE THE PLUNGE
Members using the facility should stay hydrated and follow the recommended exposure times. The guidance also advises against using contrast therapy immediately after consuming alcohol. Members with underlying heart conditions, or who are pregnant, should consult their doctor before using the facility.
The facility is exclusively for RSGC Members aged 18 years and above, with only one Member permitted in each contrast room at a time. Each session is 45 minutes, giving Members their own private space to experience the facility.
Whether it follows a round of golf, a gym workout or another active day at the Club, the Contrast Therapy Facility offers Members a new way to make recovery part of the routine. Sometimes, the next step in staying active is knowing when to recover. And sometimes, it means taking the plunge.
