Today millions of tourists and holiday makers travel to Dubai exclusively for sporting activities like Golfing and Racing. Transcending political and geographical norms, golf has become a major sport for expatriates and tourists who visit Dubai. Considerable efforts have been made to convert the desert oasis into a desert miracle where sands and green lawns merge with man- made mounds and hillocks, where flora and fauna blend into the landscape and golf courses skirt fresh and salt water lakes, where flood-lit ranges and courses allow the golfer pleasurable hours of putting even after the sun has set and it is nightfall.
Arabian Ranches Golf Club:
History: Travel to Dubai and a few minutes from the International Airport takes you straight to the desert course of the Arabian Ranches Golf Club. Founded in 2004, this golf club was designed by Ian Baker Finch in collaboration with Jack Nicklaus Associates and is also the first in the region to have guest rooms in the clubhouse.
Facilities: The Arabian Golf Course spreads over 7,698 yards of desert topography with no water hazards. This par 72 golf Resort offers the Course facilities to any player who visits Dubai with an official handicap. A state-of-the-art GPS yardage service is available on every golf cart to give the distance from the cart to the centre of the green. The floodlit driving range is open till 8.30 p.m every day.
The Golf Academy Building is housed near the Clubhouse and offers superb professional practice and tuition facilities. The academy is open daily from 6.30AM to 8 PM. There is a well stocked Pro Shop on the premises. A golfer can pay upfront the day he arrives or book 6 days in advance to use the facilities.
The Clubhouse with 11 guest rooms is built in a Spanish colonial style with a restaurant and bar attached and offers a spectacular view of the putting greens. Several tournaments are held every year including men’s and ladies singles, men’s and ladies fourball and mixed matchplay events.
Contact:
Address: Emirates Road (311), P.O.B 36700, Dubai, UAE.
Tel: 971 4 3663000
Fax: 971 4 36633551
Website: www.arabianranchesgolfdubai.com
E-mail: academy@arabianranchegolf.ae
Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club:
History: This Club opened in 1993 and introduced the first Golf Academy in the region. In 2004 the course was redesigned to make a superb and challenging 18 hole par 72 course and a 9 hole par 3 course. The Park Hyatt hotel is attached to this Club.
Travel to Dubai and visit this “Top 100 must play Golf course” for an experience of a lifetime. A few minutes from the Dubai International Airport and one is struck by the spectacular skyline of a towering structure which resembles the sails of the Arab dhow. Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club is 44 kilometers in height and spreads over 6,840 yards of immaculately maintained fairways with date and coconut trees intermittently planted, hillocks, mounds and water bodies strategically located in and around the Creek. A visit to Dubai reveals that this club has hosted several events on the Asian and European circuits.
Facilities: Trained professionals, offering the latest golf technologies like the “Swing analysis,” train players, regardless of level and age at the Golf Academy. Practice facilities include fully flood-lit driving and practice ranges with 3 practice holes. This is also a yacht club with a marina for over a hundred pleasure boats ranging from 16ft to 160ft.
The Park Hyatt is attached to this Resort and comes equipped with all the frills of a spa and health club luring tourists to visit Dubai. Travel to Dubai and treat yourself to the luxurious rooms or villas and enjoy the tropical tranquility of this beautiful resort.
Rules: The handicap limit is 28 for men and 36 for ladies. Maximum four players per tee time and players are advised to check in a good half and hour prior to their tee time. Players should bring their handicap certificates and must comply with the dress code. Guests and children are not permitted to accompany players on the course for safety reasons.
Contact:
Address: Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, P.O. Box 6302, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Tel: 971 4 2054555
Fax: 971 4 2956044
Academy Reservations:
Tel: 971 4 205 4666
Fax: 04 205 4667
E-Mail: Dubaigolf@emirates.net.ae
Dubai Country Club:
History: In 1971, Dubai Country Club was the first golf course created in this desert oasis. The first championship in 1976 drew a lot of international players and expatriates. From a one 9- hole sand course, today when you visit Dubai, you must visit this unique Golf Club which has 2 sand courses, the Al Awir and Creek,
Travel to Dubai and marvel at the idea of playing golf in an oasis where you see nothing but sand for over 6,346 yards. The shifting sands, the tropical weather, water hazards and bunkers created across the golf course makes this course a highly challenging one. The Dubai Men’s Open has been traditionally hosted at this par 71 Golf Course.
Facilities: The Al Awir Course has 18 challenging holes over 6346 yards. The 9 hole Creek Course has an interesting layout for amateurs and beginners wanting to learn the game. Excellent facilities like putting “browns” i.e. putting surfaces which are brushed to maintain a “better than grass” roll, a 24 bay flood-lit driving range, hire of golf equipment and shoes entice visitors and international players alike to visit Dubai. Corporate Tournaments are also conducted here frequently due to its unique desert ambience. The friendly Golf Bar is a meeting place in the evenings.
Rules: Whilst visitors are welcome, players have to adhere to the dress code. Non members and visitors to this club are allowed to play at off-peak hours for a nominal fee.
Contact:
Address: Dubai Country Club, P.O. Box 5103, Hatta Road, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Tel: 971 4 3331155
Fax: 971 4 333 1409
Website: www.dubaicountryclub.com
Emirates Golf Club:
History: When you visit Dubai, 10 minutes from Jumeirah Beach off the interchange 5, Sheikh Zayed Road, and 20 minutes from the Dubai Town Centre, and you are in the Emirates Golf Club, the number one course of the Desert Classic events and the Dubai Ladies Masters which are a prime sport activity held every year. Built on a site originally donated by Sheikh Mohammed the golf course was designed by Karl Litten in 1988, who created the first of its kind in that region, a green grass course 9-hole par 3 course. This was named Wadi which literally means “valley”. Nick Faldo re-designed this Golf Course which opened in 2006 with his own style of tees and bunkers spread out over 7,350 yards of rugged terrain. What makes this course spectacular is the “wadi” running its natural course through the Golf Course. With its two championship grass courses this course is considered the best in the region.
Travel to Dubai and head for the Emirates Golf Resort. Majlis which means “meeting place” is the name given to the first ever grass golf course in the Middle East. This 18 hole course winds itself around seven fresh and saltwater lakes and most of it runs up-hill which requires expert maneuvering skills for the golfer. Travel to Dubai’s marvelous golf courses here where wild life and natural vegetation merge resplendently, and feast your eyes on miles and miles of lush greens with mounds and hillocks interspersed along the course.
Facilities: The Golf Academy has professional skilled trainers who use the facilities of the course like flood-lit driving ranges, practice ranges, golf shops with hiring options, to train amateurs and juniors. Most of the common areas are air-conditioned which combats the tropical climate and entices Corporate to conduct events and tournaments. The Clubhouse overlooks massive stretches of lawns which can cater to banquets and dinners for over 3,000 people. For the visitors and guests, other leisure activities like squash, tennis, volleyball and basketball are also provided. Travel to Dubai and sip a Daiquiri or Scotch on the rocks in either of the two terraces of the Emirates Golf Clubhouse and enjoy this magical tropical paradise set against the Marina skyline.
Contact:
Address: Emirates Hills, P.O. Box 24040, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Tel: 971 4 3802222
Fax: 971 4 3801555/971 4 380 1732
Website: http://www.Dubaigolf.com
Hatter Fort Golf Course:
History: Visit Dubai’s “out of city” Golf Course and enjoy this 9-hole par 3 fun golf course where the quiet ambience set against the towering Hajra Mountains is a true golfer’s delight. For honeymoon couples who travel to Dubai and enjoy leisure activities, the setting is picture-perfect. Hatta is an old fortress village which has lush greenery and retains its old world charm. For a weekend getaway from the hustle and bustle of hectic city life, visit Dubai’s Hatta Fort hotel which is just 68 miles from the Dubai International Airport.
Facilities: Car and Taxi services from the airport and into town are available for an additional fee when you travel to Dubai. The putting green and the cross-country golf course entice Corporates who hold regular events with overnight stays thrown in. Additional recreation facilities available at the Hatta Fort Hotel are indoor games, archery, tennis, guided 4 wheel trips to the mountains, gymnasium and jogging paths.
Contact:
Address: P.O.Box 9277, Hatta, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
E-mail: reservations@dilos.com
Hyatt Regency Golf Park:
History: This Golf course overlooks the Persian Gulf at the mouth of Dubai Creek. Travel to Dubai International Airport and in 15 minutes you reach this 18 “crazy golf” as well as a 9- hole pitch and putt Golf course which is an excellent training Park for beginners.
Facilities: Visit Dubai’s Hyatt Regency Golf Park Resort with the family for a fun filled holiday as children and amateurs can indulge in golf activities under trained personal available on request at this crazy golf course. Golf equipment is available on hire and fashionable apparel for golfers can be sought here. The Galleria Shopping Mall is located here and it attaches itself to the Hyatt Regency Hotel with all the facilities provided therein for your travel needs.
Contact:
Address: Deira, P.O.Box 5588, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Tel: 971 4 2091234
Fax: 971 4 2091235
E-mail: dubai.regency@hyatt.com
Four Seasons Al Badia Golf Resort:
History: Visit Dubai’s Festival City and one of the highlights is the Four Seasons Golf Resort right in the center of the City. Founded in 1960, the ambience here is that of a desert oasis but magical in that it has several lakes and beautiful waterfalls around the 18 hole golf course.
Facilities: Motion Analysis Technology by TaylorMade and the Indoor Science & Motion PuttLab are anchored here to perfect golfing techniques. Apart from this, facilities include a flood-lit driving range, chipping area and practice ranges.
When you travel to Dubai, just two kilometers from the Dubai International Airport and you see the Al Badia Four Seasons Golf Clubhouse which is a focal point of the Festival City. The Golf Course is built around a residential community and is one of the hotspots of Dubai Travel. Al Badia or “The Land of the Bedouins” is skillfully manifested here with its gold, blue and glass Clubhouse designed to capture the swirl of a golfer’s swing.
Robert Trent Jones II took on the mammoth task of creating “Rivers of Sand” across 7,250 yards of rugged terrain and highlighting the sands with rock, palm trees, water and grass. The sound of cascading waterfalls in this par 72 is soothing and relaxing. Facilities include flood-lit and practice ranges and a championship 18 hole course.
The Four Season hotel is attached to this Course. The Clubhouse itself has fine dining and bars. The effect in the “Land of the Bedouins” is stunning and worth a visit to Dubai.
Contact:
Address: Four Seasons Golf Club, Dubai Festival City, P.O.Box 79126, Al Badia, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Tel: 971 4 6010101
Fax: 971 4 6010102
Website: www. albadiagolfresort.com
E-mail: golf@albadiagolfresort.com
Jebel Ali Hotel & Golf Resort:
History: Travel to Dubai must include a holiday to this resort set on the white shores of the Arabian Gulf. Peter Harradine brought this resort to a whole new level in 1998 when he designed this Golf Resort. Two kilometers away is the fabulous manmade island, The Palm Jebel Ali. The Dubai Waterfront is in close proximity and this makes it a travel hotspot for business and tourists who visit Dubai.
This five - star Golf Resort, stretching over 3,299 yards 9 holes and par 36, has won many awards. It has also been nominated in 2008 as the world’s best golf resort. Using most of the original desert flora and fauna around each hole, Peter Harradine has used his ingenuity to make five holes skirt around the saltwater lakes, making the course a challenge to all golfers who visit Dubai. The Jebel Ali Golf Resorts & Spa Challenge Match which is the curtain raiser to the Dubai Desert Classic draws the rich and the famous that makes a bee-line here every year and all you have to do is visit Dubai at this time to see how they live. Tiger Woods, Ernie Els and Daren Clarke have all used the facilities of this Golf Resort and Hotels.
Facilities: Only very experienced or players with a handicap certificate can use this course. Beginners and juniors who travel to Dubai can avail of coaching lessons provided by trained professionals. Carts mechanical or electric etc. are available on demand at a nominal fee. Dress code has to be adhered to strictly as stipulated.
A Golf Pro Shop with designer branded labels and equipment is anchored here. From May to September the Golf Course is open from 6 am till nightfall and from October to April it opens at 7 am till nightfall. Booking is requested several weeks in advance when you travel to Dubai.
Top-notch facilities like a flood-lit Driving Range, complete with Bermuda grass, bunkers and yardage markers, flood-lit practice range and putting greens are available. The Golf Academy uses its indoor video-analysis swing room to advantage in an air-conditioned ambience.
Visit Dubai and head to this wonderful “Only Complete Resort” in Jebel Ali.
Contact:
Address: P.O.Box 9255, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Tel: 971 4 883 6000
Fax: 971 4 883 5543
E-mail: jagrs@jaihotels.com
golf.teetimes@jaihotels.com
Nad Al Sheba Club:
History: For professional Golfing, visit Dubai’s prestigious Club which has the distinction of being the only fully flood-lit 18 whole course in the whole of the Middle East. Just 10 minutes from town, you can travel to Dubai’s Scottish 18-hole links championship course which stretches over 6,428 yards and par 71.
Visit Dubai and savor the beautiful landscaping accentuated by the deep pot bunkers which are more than 110 in number and the 8 lakes. No date or palm trees are seen for miles around. The atmosphere is professional, as is the attire. A junior has to be 14 and above to use the facilities of this Club.
Facilities: Golf schools are available for beginners and juniors. State-of-the art facilities like electric pulleys and golf carts, GPS, pro-shop which also hires out equipment and shoes, driving and practice ranges are available. The tees on the back nine provide a stunning view of the Course. A steakhouse and bar complete the ambience and golf continues into the night. If you decide to travel to Dubai, it would be advisable to do so between November and April when you can kill two birds with one stone and make a memorable holiday combining golfing with horse racing at the Dubai World Cup. This Clubhouse is built around the racing track and encourages leisure activities along with fine dining. Makes travel to Dubai worth your while.
Contact:
Address: P.O. Box 52872
Tel: 9714 3363666
Fax: 9714 3363717
Website: www.nadalsheba.com
E-mail: golf@nadalshebaclub.com
academy@nadalshebaclub.com
Other Golf Courses: The Montgomerie Golf Club and the Tower Links Golf Course, to name a few, were built in the 90’s and attract a lot of expatriates and tourists who travel to Dubai and spend their leisure hours visiting the different resorts, hotels and spas. The more modern golf courses are still in the process of being built. The ELS club Golf course named after the famous South African star Ernie ELS, who designed the same, is situated in Dubai Sport’s city. This 72-par 18-hole championship course is very modern and boasts of top-notch technologies.