The United Arab Emirates has become a hotspot for quality golf. Here are some of the best courses there.
The Best Golf Courses In The UAE
The United Arab Emirates is made up of seven emirates with the two most well-known being Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
The two cities have shot from the sand out of nowhere and the same can be said of any world class golf courses that frequently host big tournaments in the professional game.
Additionally there are plenty of quality layouts that add to resorts too.
Below we have taken a look at some of the best.
Yas Links, UAE
Designed by Kyle Phillips, the architect responsible for the majestic layout at Kingsbarns on the Fife coast, Yas Links on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi takes influence from those British and Irish seaside courses.
With rolling fairways, pock-marked with clever bunkering, stunning views of the sea, an ever-present breeze and challenging green complexes, the course captures the rugged essence of links golf and delivers a blend of tradition and modernity.
The course offers something a little different from most tracks in the Gulf and with teeing options from 7,450 yards right down to 5,800, it’s a course that all can enjoy.
Saadiyat Beach, UAE
(Kevin Murray)
Situated on raised dunes just outside Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Beach was designed by Gary Player and it is a serious championship test which means you need to choose your tees accordingly. Having said that, it is a sumptuous feast of golf all the way. Several of the holes would serve as the signature design at most other courses, and the finishing few are simply terrific.
Els Club (Dubai), UAE
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With generous landing areas off the tee, fresh prevailing winds and undulating greens, The Els Club is one of Dubai’s top golfing venues. Set amongst the Victory Heights residential development, the course is set in a sporting oasis just 20 minutes from the city centre.
Ernie took his inspiration from his world wide golfing experience.
Al Zorah, UAE
(Kevin Murray)
Just along the coast about 45 minutes from the Dubai International Airport is the Al Zorah golf complex. The golf course has been designed by Nicklaus Design to flow around two large lakes, with wide fairways a feature of the layout.
Abu Dhabi (National), UAE
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The luxurious Abu Dhabi golf resort has made a name for itself as one of the most stunning and well maintained golf resorts in the Middle East. Its championship course, the par 72 National Course, is a natural inspiration with lush fairways, strategically placed bunkers and generous greens to challenge golfers whatever their handicap.
Emirates (Majlis), UAE
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Emirates GC has the first all-grass championship course in the Middle East when it opened in 1988. It first hosted the Dubai Desert Classic the following year.
The course is laid out among the sand dunes a dozen miles away from the city centre. Lakes adorn the design and provide some tight challenges at times, such as on the 7th, a par-3 over water, and the 18th, where the approach to the long green is over another lake.
Dubai Creek, UAE
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The two years that the Dubai Desert Classic went away from the Emirates Majlis course was in 1999 and 2000, when Dubai Creek staged it instead.
The course is much praised, not least for its two closing par 4s on 17 and 18, which hug the creek on the left, with palm trees and bunkers to the right of the fairway.
Jumeirah (Earth), UAE
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The Earth course was built specifically for the European Tour finale and has some generously wide fairways leading to some large flamboyantly sloping greens. The course designer, Greg Norman, is proudest of the closing four holes, which he calls ‘the most challenging mile in golf’.
Emirates (Faldo), UAE
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The second course at the Emirates is now called the Faldo after a redesign by the six-time Major winner.
The original course name was Wadi after the valley that runs the length of the course. other noticeable features of the course are 14 lakes and dramatic bunkering.
Address Montgomerie, UAE
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Address Montgomerie sits right next door to the Emirates Club and yet is remarkably different in style.
The long 18th is quite probably the most thrilling or intimidating closing hole in the country. Water eats in on either side of the fairway, and as if that isn’t enough, there is a large pond sitting right in front of the green, which even then has bunkers for protection. Dubai’s stunning architecture provides a fabulous backdrop, and in a way this hole encapsulates something of everything that is golf in the UAE.
Notable Mentions: Jumeirah (Fire), Al Hamra, Trump International Dubai, Arabian Ranches, Jebel Ali
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