The best golf courses in the UAE

Has the UK winter dragged a little too hard? Fed up of fighting the wind and rain to get in 18 holes? Why not consider taking your golf clubs to the United Arab Emirates instead?

Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, Dubai
Looking for somewhere to moor your yacht so you can take in a leisurely round of golf? Dubai Creek might be just the place for you, and with it comes the chance to play on one of the great championship courses in the Middle East. It’s also just a few minutes’ drive from Dubai International airport – perfect if you’ve got some time to kill during a lengthy layover.

Yas Links Golf Club, Abu Dhabi
Since opening in 2010, Yas Links has established a reputation as one of the best courses in the Middle East, perfectly recreating a landscape that looks like it’s been there for centuries. Eight of the holes, including the memorable par 3, 17th are located on the Gulf’s shoreline and for any golfers who like motorsports, it’s just a stone’s throw from the Ferrari World theme park and the Yas Marina Formula 1 circuit.

Al Zorah, Ajman
The first-ever golf course to open in Ajman, the Al Zorah course launched to much excitement back in 2015. Designed by the Nicklaus Design Team, it’s set in a natural mangrove landscape and criss-crossed with boardwalks to cope with the wetland conditions. The par 5, 11^th hole is not one for the faint-hearted as water eats into the fairway all the way down to the green, meaning you’ll really feel like you’re at one with the water.


  
The National, Abu Dhabi Golf Club, Abu Dhabi
Just a short drive from the high-rise downtown of Abu Dhabi city, the Abu Dhabi Golf Club really is an oasis in the desert. With its clubhouse designed in the shape of a falcon and 27 holes of top class, exquisitely manicured fairways and greens, it’s definitely one of the top courses in the region. If you’ve ever wondered what it’d be like to play golf at night, then Abu Dhabi Golf Club should definitely be on your to-play list – its floodlit holes mean you can play well after the sun goes down. Literally, a whole new ball game!

The Majilis, Emirates Golf Club, Dubai
The first 18-hole grass golf course to open in the region, the Majilis also has one of the finest layouts in the UAE and is a must-play for any golf fan heading over to the Middle East for some winter sun. There are plenty of memorable holes to choose from, although the par 5, 18^th will stay with you, especially if you fall foul of its water hazards. The venue for the Dubai Desert Classic, the Majilis has welcomed some of the world’s best players and it when you step up to the first tee you’ll soon see why.