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Our guide to golfing in Dubai

Fancy some winter sun along with a good round of golf? Then head to Dubai, home of next month’s PGA European Tour DP World Tour Championship.

27 October 2016 2 minute read Our guide to golfing in Dubai
  
It may be located in the middle of a desert, but you wouldn’t know it standing on one of Dubai’s lush fairways, lined with palm trees and surrounded by crystal blue waters. Like everything else in the city, the courses have been created from scratch over recent years and are finished to the highest standards.

We take a closer look the host city of this year’s PGA European Tour DP World Tour Championship (Nov 17-20) event…

History of golf in Dubai
While many of the courses are modern marvels, tournament golf has been played here as far back as 1989, when the first Dubai Desert Classic was held. This was the first golfing tournament held in the Middle East and was seen by many as the trigger for the game becoming more popular among locals.

The Desert Classic was the mainstay of golf for the region, attracting top players likes Fred Couples, Seve Ballesteros and Tiger Woods. It was also where Rory McIlroy secured his first professional win at the tender age of 19, back in 2009.

The first grass course built in Dubai – and the Middle East as a region – was the Majlis golf course, now part of the Emirates Golf Club, which opened in 1988 – a year before the first tournament was held. It’s still recognised as one of the region’s best courses.
   

Our Guide to Golfing in Dubai
  

What to expect…
In a word – luxury. As you’d expect from a city that has some of the world’s richest residents, numerous international business travellers and wealth that most of us can only dream about, the courses are of the highest standard.

The greens and fairways are immaculate, and even the rough looks pretty good, filled with native species that you’re not likely to see in Scotland or England.

But it’s not just the courses that stand out. Many are attached to 5-star hotels that offer high-quality amenities for players.

With the weather being pretty hot the year through, you’ll need to go prepared. Take plenty of water, a good hat and cover yourself in sun screen.

It’s also worth watching out for sandstorms, but you’ll see them coming and be able to take refuge in the clubhouse – there are worse places to sit out a storm.

The 5 best courses in Dubai…

• Al Badia Golf Course. Created by renowned course designer Robert Trent Jones II in 2005, this 18-hole, championship golf course takes the oasis theme to heart. Situated in the Dubai Festival City complex, its defining feature is its many water hazards.

• Emirates Golf Club. The 36-hole facility has two of the city’s best courses – the Majlis and the Faldo Course. It’s also the only 18-hole course in the region to offer night golf. The Majlis Course is often considered the best course in the region.
   

Our Guide to Golfing in Dubai
  

• Yas Links. Part of Yas Island, which plays host to F1 events, the course embraces both its island setting and the racecourse. Some fairways intermingle with racetracks, while others buffer up against the coast.

• Jumeirah (Earth). Designed by Greg Norman, it was the first Middle Eastern course made specifically for championship play and is one of four themed courses in the complex – the others predictably being wind, air and fire. It will play host to this year’s DP World Tour Championship. The other three courses are still under construction.

• Dubai Creek. One of the oldest courses, it opened in 1993 to much acclaim. And it’s still one of the best today, with perfectly groomed courses. Its iconic clubhouse is inspired by traditional boats that sail nearby.
  

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