Region: Dubai & Abu Dhabi, UAE | Best Time: October–April | Nearest Airport: Dubai (DXB) or Abu Dhabi (AUH)
Editor’s Note: Golf in the UAE represents one of modern sport’s most audacious achievements — championship courses carved from desert sand, maintained to Augusta-like standards. Add the luxury resort hotels, tax-free shopping and year-round sunshine (October–April), and the UAE has become Europe’s most popular winter golf destination.
The 5 Courses to Play
1. Emirates Golf Club — Majlis Course ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Designer: Karl Litten (1988) — the first grass course in the Middle East
- Par / Yardage: 72 / 7,301 yards
- Why Play It: The DP World Tour Championship host — where Faldo won the inaugural Dubai Desert Classic in 1989. The Dubai skyline from the 8th tee is an image unlike any other in golf. The Bedouin tent clubhouse is iconic.
- Book: dubaigolf.com
2. Trump International Golf Club Dubai ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Designer: Tiger Woods (2017) — his first Middle East design
- Par / Yardage: 72 / 7,205 yards
- Why Play It: Tiger Woods’s first completed design delivers on every expectation — creative risk-reward par 4s, generous landing areas but severely punishing misses. The most sophisticated course in Dubai with excellent practice facilities.
- Book: trumpgolfdubai.com
3. Abu Dhabi Golf Club ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Designer: Peter Harradine (2000)
- Par / Yardage: 72 / 7,372 yards
- Why Play It: Host of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship. The falcon-shaped clubhouse is one of architecture’s most theatrical structures. The course’s sprawling layout across the desert with the Abu Dhabi skyline creates a genuinely unique atmosphere.
- Book: adgolfclub.ae
4. Yas Links Abu Dhabi ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Designer: Kyle Phillips (2010)
- Par / Yardage: 72 / 7,414 yards | Rating: 75.9 / 140
- Why Play It: The finest true links course in the Middle East — designed on Yas Island beside the Arabian Gulf, with sea breezes actually affecting play. Kyle Phillips created an authentic links experience in one of golf’s most unexpected locations. The Yas Hotel (where the F1 circuit passes) is extraordinary.
- Book: yaslinks.com
5. Jumeirah Golf Estates — Earth Course ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Designer: Greg Norman (2009)
- Par / Yardage: 72 / 7,703 yards
- Why Play It: One of four themed courses on the Jumeirah estate; the Earth Course hosts the DP World Tour Championship season finale. Norman’s design rewards length off the tee with risk-reward opportunities throughout — the closing holes are genuinely thrilling.
- Book: jumeirahgolfestates.com
Where to Stay & Practical Information
- Atlantis The Royal (5★): The most spectacular hotel on the planet — infinity pools, 17 restaurants and a spa. 20 mins from Emirates Golf Club. Check availability on Expedia →
- Jumeirah Al Naseem (5★): Beach resort on the Burj Al Arab beach — combines luxury with genuine relaxation. Closest luxury hotel to Emirates and Jumeirah Golf.
- Best Time: November–March. Temperatures October–April range 22–30°C. May–September regularly exceed 42°C — golf is essentially unplayable.
- Green Fees: Generally €100–200 for resort courses; better value in evenings with twilight rates from €60–80.