Why should Dubai be your next golfing getaway?

With rows of luxurious estates fringing the green, connect the dots through this varied course whi;e surrounded by pure opulence. Inspired by the great parkland courses of Europe and North America, the Earth course is home to the DP World Tour Championship, guaranteeing you a winning game. This challenging yet rewarding course offers brilliant white bunkering, with an abundance of fluffy trees across the rolling fairways, making the challenge of following-through while resisting capturing the scene in front of you, a little difficult. The many lakes reflect the glowing sun, as well as the last four holes being played over or alongside the rippling waters, culminating in a meandering creek running the full length of the final hole. Getting that hole-in-one will seem all the more sweeter in this pocket of nature.

Spanning more than 500 acres and created from what was previously flat and barren desert, these rumpled fairways bring something extra special to your golfing experience. Playing within a desert climate may not seem ideal but add expertly-crafted design led by golf architect Gil Hanse and his partner Jim Wagner - along with the largest clubhouse in Dubai - and you can rest knowing that everything is taken care of, from swing to swim. The different layers of the course have been created to develop play strategy, increasing the difficulty and challenge as you progress through all 18 holes. The cavernous barranca, a winding river gorge, is utilised perfectly, interacting with the holes giving you elevation change, profound vistas and thrilling shots. The most striking part of this course is undoubtedly the expanse of red sands, the perfect canvas for these roaming fairways. The clubhouse offers four decadent restaurants along with a luxurious infinity swimming pool, for when you’ve finally scored that birdie and deserve some well-earned relaxation.  

This is the flagship course at Emirates Golf Club, boasting a challenging par 72, 7,301-yard layout as well as gaining the royal seal of approval. The enticing dunes patchworked around the original 18 holes were donated by His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who specifically instructed the course architect, Karl Litten, to keep the desert flora in its natural state. This is the course for those golfers out there who like to push themselves, gaining a reputation worldwide as a challenging layout for even the best players - large, fast surfaces and difficult pin positions making a good score hard to come by. With patches of indigenous species of fauna sprinkled across the meandering fairways, the seven saltwater lakes inject a fresh element into this humid climate. The Majlis takes its name from the Arabic word for ‘meeting place’ and one of the most memorable features on the course is the Bedouin-styled Royal Pavilion building, where pointed giant tents encapsulate middle-eastern glamour at its finest, seducing golfers to enjoy some down-time with the backdrop of outstanding skyscrapers. 

This is the Emirates Golf Club’s second championship course, opened in 1996 and named “The Wadi” meaning ‘valley’ in Arabic. The natural wadi still subtly enhances the course design, coming into play without causing golfers any problems, after a redesign in 2005 by golf legend and six-time major winner Nick Faldo. Unmistakable design is now fused with various challenges in just the right measure, while Faldo’s trademark trees and bunkers are combined with the naturally-rugged terrain to provide you with a truly unique environment to practise those swings. It is also the only fully floodlit 18-hole course in Dubai, illuminating the night sky so golfers can stroll across the fairways after the sun goes down – this is how the sophisticated sportsman does Dubai nightlife. The popularity of night golf at this championship golf course continues to climb, offering both pros and amateurs an unforgettable experience in a haven of seclusion amongst the twinkling lights of the city.

Arriving at the regal clubhouse may take your breath away, but it’s just a taster of what’s to come on the fairways. Lighten the load a little and take advantage of the bag drop where your golf butler will be waiting to welcome you with your personal buggy which has been prepared behind the scenes. Once you head out, you’re met with views of the seemingly far-away bustling city, your backdrop for the serenity of the rolling green. Generous intervals between tee times give golfers a truly personalised experience, in a relaxed setting where you can take your time and precision with every shot while enjoying the beautiful setting – bogeys are probably likely with the distraction of nature around you. Once you’ve finished on the 18th hole, head to the 19th, where the clubhouse bar and restaurant await you with delicious cuisine. 

Encompassing middle-eastern life in the most quintessential way, the area which this golf course now occupies was once inhabited by grazing camels and wild gazelle. Inviting you to challenge yourself on the desert-style terrain, the course is designed by 1991 Open winner, Ian Baker-Finch, who brings his expertise and insider knowledge to encapsulate the ‘links’ style, even in the Gulf’s sandy wasteland. Bushes and shrubs are speckled across the fairways’ fringing areas, so your best game is a necessity here if you want to seamlessly make par. A choice of five different tees, a flood-lit driving range and a par-3 course mean that a remarkable golfing experience is almost a guarantee here.

The distinctive sail-shaped clubhouse may be the contemporary signature of the Dubai Creek Golf Club, but the timeless mass of water that it sits beside brings tranquillity to your game. Blessed with carpet-like fairways and unique bunkering positions compared to other Dubai courses, the enchanting tee box towering on stilts out in the creek for the par-4 sixth will take your breath away, as you try and clear the water ahead. Not one for the faint-hearted, this challenging course pays attention to detail at every twist and turn, the design emulating sheer class with a level of premium ambiance that gleams throughout. What better way to chill out after a testing game than to dine in the yacht club, while taking in views of the Creekside marina?