Abu Dhabi is rapidly becoming one of the world’s most famous golfing destinations. The States inherent need to keep its infrastructure bigger and better than the rest of the world has filtered through to its’ golf courses. Now a regular stop on the European Tour, courses don’t come much more striking than Abu Dhabi Golf Club, which has been the spearhead for the continuous growth of golf in the Middle East.
The year round sun, unbelievable hotels and truly magnificent golf courses have put Abu Dhabi on the map as one of the great all round places to play golf. Whatever you are looking for, the largest state in the U.A.E is bound to have it.
Emirates Golf Club, Majlis Course
Ranked inside the world’s top 100, the Majlis is the Emirates Golf Club’s flagship course. The course’s perfectly manicured fairways wind their way through sandy wasteland and palm trees to make a truly spectacular sight. Measuring in at just over 7,100 yards the course is by no means the longest out there making it a great place for golfers of all abilities to enjoy a round in the sun. The course’s pedigree as one of the world’s best is backed up each January as the European Tour’s best players flock to the area to compete in one of the calendar year’s first events.
| Location: | Dubai, Middle East |
| Length: | 7,293 yards |
| Par: | 72 |
| Designed by: | Karl Litten |
| Established: | 1988 |
Abu Dhabi Golf Club
Host of the HSBC Abu Dhabi Championship, Abu Dhabi Golf Club is one of the most desirable courses to play in the region. The course has been carved out of the incredible natural desert and is a pocket of perfectly manicured grass in what is otherwise barren wasteland. The undulating fairways wind their way through groups of palm trees and skirt 7 stunning lakes making it imperative that players are accurate off the tee. The famous falcon clubhouse is the perfect setting to relax and discuss what was sure to be an excellent round of golf despite how you played.
| Location: | Abu Dhabi, Middle East |
| Length: | 7,440 yards |
| Par: | 72 |
| Designed by: | Peter Harradine |
| Established: | 2000 |
Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club
Dubai Creek Golf Club provides golfers with a truly unforgettable round of golf as the pristine fairways are set alongside a number of shimmering lakes which creates a incredible setting for a round of golf. The course only measures in at 6,857 yards and boasts a variety of different tee boxes meaning it provides an appropriate challenge for both the more skilled golfer and the social player depending on where you play from. With one of the most striking clubhouses in Asia, there aren’t many better spots to enjoy some afternoon sun and refresh yourself after a round of golf.
| Location: | Dubai, Middle East |
| Length: | 6,857 yards |
| Par: | 71 |
| Designed by: | Thomas Bjorn |
| Established: | 1993 |
The Els Club
The ‘Big Easy’ has created a true modern day monster in the heart of Dubai. Measuring in at over 7,500 yards from the tips, the course has been designed with the intention of testing the likes Rory McIlroy and Dustin Johnson one day. The course is reminiscent of the West Course at Wentworth as pinpoint accuracy off the tee is needed in order to find the undulating fairways whilst a tidy short game is a must if you wish to score well. However, despite its extravagant length from the championship tees, there are a variety of other tee boxes which can make the courses as short as 6,200 yards and a great challenge for the more average players.
| Location: | Dubai, Middle East | Length: | 7,500 yards |
| Par: | 72 |
| Designed by: | Ernie Els |
| Established: | 2008 |
Address Montgomerie
Victorious 2010 Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie is renowned not only for his 31 European Tour wins but also for designing some of the Europe’s best golf courses. The relatively new Address Course sympathetically merges the much loved resort style lay out with Monty’s favoured links set up to create a unique golfing experience. The course has been created in such a way that it will provide a fair challenge to all golfers making it a must play on any golf tour of Dubai.
| Location: | Address Montgomerie |
| Length: | 7,308 yards |
| Par: | 72 |
| Designed by: | Colin Montgomorie |
| Established: | 2006 |
Yas Links, Abu Dhabi
If you could combine the dramatic scenery of seaside links golf with guaranteed sunshine then surely you would have the perfect course? Well this is exactly what Yas Links offers you! Having created high calibre courses such as Dundonald and Kingsbarns in Scotland, Kyle Phillips has drawn upon all of his golfing knowledge to sculpt a true golfing masterpiece out of arid desert. The course features all the staples of some of the best UK links courses including deep bunkers, wispy rough and tantalising drop offs. Yas Links is the first of its kind in the Middle East and is a must play for any golfer lover.
| Location: | Abu Dhabi, Middle East |
| Length: | 7,450 yards |
| Par: | 72 |
| Designed by: | Kyle Phillips |
| Established: | 2002 |
Jumeirah Golf Estate, Earth Course
Greg Norman has designed one of the modern wonders of the European Tour as it took no less than a year for it to become the host of European Tour’s Race to Dubai, an event still played there to date. Measuring in at a goliath 7,706 yards it is probably wise to leave the tips to the pros (even if you have had your weetabix) and play from one of the other tee boxes that make the courses accessible for all levels of golfers. The course features undulating greens that make an accurate approach a necessity or the much sought after two putt can be kissed goodbye. Designed to bring the best out of the world’s greatest players there are few better places to test your skills than the Earth Course.
| Location: | Dubai, Middle East |
| Length: | 7,706 yards |
| Par: | 72 |
| Designed by: | Greg Norman |
| Established: | 2009 |
Saadiyat Beach Club
Skirting the stunning coastline of Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Beach Club provides golfers with unforgettable views of the crystal blue waters and white sand beaches of the Arabian Gulf. Designed by the great Gary Player, the course is a jewel in the Middle East’s golfing crown with 18 unique golf holes that are designed to test even the best golfers. With the chance to catch a glimpse of the humpback dolphins or hawksbill turtles that inhabit the coastal waters, a round at Saadiyat is an unmissable opportunity.
| Location: | Abu Dhabi, Middle East |
| Length: | 7,806 yards |
| Par: | 72 |
| Designed by: | Gary Player |
| Established: | 2010 |
Al Zorah Golf Club
Managed by the world renowned Troon Golf and designed by the famous Nicklaus group, it is no wonder that Al Zorah has slotted right into the top as one of Dubai’s leading golf courses. Situated away from the hustle and bustle of the high rise buildings, the course is a pocket of tranquility in what otherwise is a buzzing region. With one of the finest collection of par 3s in Dubai, the firm and fast greens provide an alternative challenge to other courses in the region as correct club selection is imperative to avoid the treacherous drop off areas.
| Location: | Dubai, Middle East |
| Length: | 7,169 yards |
| Par: | 72 |
| Designed by: | Nicklaus |
| Established: | 2015 |
Arabian Ranches Golf Club
The clay coloured sand of Arabian Ranches echoes the world famous courses of Arizona or Palm Springs and is distinctive sight in the region. As the first course to be designed by Ian Baker Finch, there was great expectation upon its opening and it has definitely delivered. The pay as you play style resort course is fantastic value for money for the visiting golfer and is a must play course on any trip to Dubai.
| Location: | Dubai, Middle East |
| Length: | 7,691 yards |
| Par: | 72 |
| Designed by: | Ian Baker Finch |
| Established: | 2004 |