The UAE is known globally for it’s lavish lifestyle which is incomplete without golf. Almost the entire elite class is a fan of golfing and they invest their time in this sport. To cater their need, the government has approved the construction of numerous golf courses throughout. Each golf course seems better than the last. The Emirates love spending time here. See the lucrative courses below.
1. Abu Dhabi City Golf Club
Located in Abu Dhabi Equestrian Centre, Al Mushrif, this is one of the oldest and most memorable golf courses in the UAE. Residents call it “The People’s Golf Course”. It opened in 1976 and for 22 years, this place was a sand course having 18 holes. But in 1998, it was converted into the first all-grass golf course of Abu Dhabi.
The par-35 course includes one par 5, six par 4s and two par 3s. Inside the horse racetrack, there is a 9-hole floodlit course. The player can enjoy a nice balance between inviting and challenging holes. This golf course has invested in a 2-tiered driving range along with engaging multiplayer games, session analysis and the latest tech.
- Designer: Ian Scott Taylor
- Amenities:
- A restaurant offering picturesque views of the course and racetrack.
- A popular Race Night BBQ in the horse racing season.
- A 9-hole floodlit course including night golf.
Cost: AED 200 for 18 holes
F&B: 19th Street Bar and Restaurant
2. Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club
This was first unveiled in 1993 and it hosted the first Golf Academy in the Middle East. It’s a par 71 course spread over 6,967 yards. There are palm trees, fairways and much more. Apart from the Creek lake, there are numerous other lakes as well which beautify the course. The Dubai Desert Classic took place here in both 1999 and 2000. It also hosts Peter Cowen Academy.
- Designer: Karl Litton. It was afterwards redesigned by Thomas Bjorn.
- Amenities:
- A clubhouse
- Driving range
- 18-hole Championship course
- 9-hole floodlit par 3 golf course
- Mini-golf
Cost: AED 300 for 18 holes
- F&B:
- Cielo Sky Lounge
- Lakeview international
- QD’s BBQ and Grill
- Boardwalk
- Casa de Tapas
- Jones The Grocer Express
3. The Els Club
Situated in Dubai Sports City, this golf course is hailed as one of the ideal golf destinations in the Middle East. This should be the first course to visit in the UAE as it creates long-lasting memories. The designer of this course is a US Open and Open Championship winner.
Ernie Els is very fond of the huge courses in the UK, where he has grabbed victories in 2 out of 4 big championships. By remembering the details and style of those golf courses, he has attempted to recreate it in a desert setting. This golf course gained fans and positive reviews from the visitors.
- Designer: Ernie Els
- Amenities:
- Country club
- 18-hole Championship course
- Golf shop
Cost: AED 315 for 18 holes
- F&B:
- Function venue
- Big Easy Bar & Grill
- 261 Restaurant
4. Emirates Golf Club
This is a flagship golf course located near Emirates Hills, at Sheikh Zayed road. It’s Majlis Championship course is spread across 7,301 yards and is a par-72. One of its designers, Karl Litton, is a Florida based course architect. The original 18-hole was constructed in and around the dunes of an alluring area at the end of the city.
This Majlis course has earned a credible reputation globally and is a testing layout for even the expert golfers. The Majlis course displays hundreds indigenous species of flora and fauna. This natural beauty is beautifully coupled with 7 refreshing saltwater lakes and meandering fairways.
This course is the first grass course in the Middle East and it’s name translates to a ‘meeting place’.
The Majlis building is set between the 9th and 8th holes. EGC hosts a Peter Cowen Academy here and until 1989, Dubai Desert Classic was hosted by Emirates Golf Club.
Designers: Karl Litton did the Majlis Course and Nick Faldo did the Faldo Course.
- Amenities:
- Peter Cowen Academy
- Majlis 18-hole Championship course
- Floodlit par 3 course
- Faldo 18-hole floodlit course
- Topgolf
Cost: AED 330 for 18 holes
- F&B:
- Function venues both outside and inside
- Carine
- Spike Bar
- Jones The Grocer
- Rose Leaf Cafe
5. JUMEIRAH GOLF ESTATES
This iconic golf course is the host of DP World Tour Championship, European Tour since 2009 and The Race to Dubai and located in the master community of Jumeirah Golf Estates. The beautifully sculpted Earth course is inspired by the huge parklands of North America and Europe, wiry surging water and rough terrain. Co-designed with Greg Norman, it’s sibling Fire Course complements the natural desert landscape.
No matter how much of an expert a golfer is, the Fire Course is very difficult. Due to the unrivaled gorgeous natural beauty and topography, both the championship golf courses are enough to keep anyone occupied for a week. It hosts a Peter Cowen Academy as well. It’s located between Dubai Investment Park and Dubai Sports City along the E311.
Designer: Greg Norman.
- Amenities:
- Ballroom
- 2 18-hole courses called Earth and Fire
- Real Estate having apartments, 1,500 villas and townhouses
- Peter Cowen Academy
- Tennis Academy
- Country Club having gym and swimming pool
Cost: AED 200 for 18 holes
- F&B:
- Inner and outer Function Venues
- Nassau
- Merchant Meats Tap & Grill
- Sports Bar
6. Al Hamra Golf Club
This par-72 course is ideal for all types of golfers. It’s an 18-hole course which is linked to 4 waterways. The front area is 3,578 yards big which goes out from the clubhouse and the back area is spread across 3,747 yards which goes around the lagoon.
There are 5 different tee choices in this championship golf course. The course has hosted the Ras Al Khaimah 2017 Golf Challenge and the Challenge Tour Grand Final in 2018. It was originally planned to be made on the salt flats meeting the water edge. The composite floodlit 9-hole course is constructed by the blend of the front nine and back nine course.
Designer: Peter Harradine
- Amenities:
- Clubhouse
- 18-hole golf course
- 9-hole floodlit course
Cost: AED 475 for 18 holes
F&B: Bay Sports Bar