Dubai is one of the wonders of the Middle East, offering everything from soaring skyscrapers and luxury hotels through to some of the best shopping you will find anywhere. However, one of the areas where Dubai really comes into its own is golf. Although it is set in the desert, it has some of the world’s best golf courses, along with luxurious surrounding residences – offering a year-round golf experience.
Golfing in Dubai Image source: http://www.jumeirahgolfestates.com/
One of the best is Jumeirah Golf Estates, which has two stunning championship courses named Earth and Fire. Designed by Greg Norman, these courses are challenging par 72 monsters, with the Earth course coming in at an astonishing 7,675 yards. As you imagine on a desert course, deep bunkers line the fairways, placing the emphasis on both accuracy and length. The elevated greens increase the challenge, often adding an extra club to approach shots. The Earth course is also home to the DP World Tour Championship – a testament to its world-class status.
The two courses are surrounded by a community of villas that offer high-quality accommodation and access to all of the golf course facilities, including the 120,000 square foot clubhouse. These are also served by many local amenities, including supermarkets, banks, pharmacies and restaurants – making them the ideal home for avid golfers or families. You can find out more about these and other villas at emiratespropertyshop.com.
Another course that is absolutely spectacular is The Montgomerie, designed not surprisingly by former European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie. The course has rolling fairways which are fairly generous, making them a delight for golfers who like to let it rip off the tee. However, the members-only course isn’t to be taken lightly. At 7,307 yards, you will need that length, especially on the 18th which is a brute. The course is nestled in the community of Emirates Hills, one of the most exclusive addresses in Dubai. The facilities are also state-of-the-art including a floodlit driving range and practice greens, and a swing analysis studio that will get to the bottom of your game.
The Emirates Golf Club is another premier golf destination. It has two courses – The Majlis, designed by Karl Litten, and the eponymous Faldo, designed by Sir Nick Faldo and opened in 1988. Both courses are over 7,300 yards, making them a challenge for the most experienced golfer. One unique aspect of the club is that it offers nighttime golfing on the Faldo course – which is completely floodlit. If you’re playing The Majlis, keep an eye out for the eighth hole, a challenging uphill dogleg that needs length and precision on the second shot to hit the green – where a three putt is all too common an occurrence.
Golf Activities in Dubai Image source: http://www.dubaigolf.com/
Finally, check out the Els Club Dubai, designed by Ernie Els. This is a rolling course with a links-style layout, featuring native desert flora. At over 7,500 yards and a par of 73, this course, situated in Dubai Sports City, set a new benchmark for golf courses in Dubai when it opened in 2008.