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UAE,
Golf |
The UAE
is blessed with more than a dozen golf courses;
three challenging PGA championship golf courses and
five additional courses are open to visitors.
 Six
of the golf courses have lush fairways and
exquisitely manicured greens. A couple, being sand
courses, offer the unique opportunity to play on ‘
browns’ (oiled sand) instead of greens.
All the major golf courses have state-of-the-art
clubhouses and a range of additional facilities,
including quality pro-shops and dedicated coaching
facilities with PGA qualified professionals. All
players on the main courses are required to hold an
official handicap of 28 or less for men and 36 or
less for women. Only soft spikes or rubber-soled
shoes are permitted and conventional golfing apparel
is mandatory (t-shirts with collars and tailored
shorts/trousers).
No denims or jeans are permitted on the course or in
the clubhouse. Golf clubs and golf carts are
available for hire. It is advisable to book time
slots well in advance (see the section Getting There
for information on package golf holidays). Bookings
from outside the UAE must be by fax giving full
details of the booking and credit card number as
guarantee.
Abu Dhabi Airport Golf Club
(02 5758040) is an 18-hole, 6450-yard, par 71 sand
golf course situated 400 metres (two minutes by
road) from the terminal. It features an
English-style hilltop clubhouse, swimming pool and
tennis courts and an advanced training facility. The
Royle golf visual communication system can assess
your swing on monitors with graphic overlays that
enable you to compare your swing with those of some
of the world’s best-known players. The academy also
features Durnian Frames specially designed metal
frames through which golfers can perfect their swing
plane by following the line of the frame.
Abu Dhabi Golf Club By Sheraton, Umm al-Nar features
two world-class 18-hole superbly landscaped golf
courses, a challenging 7204 yards par 72 fully
mature National Course and a 6524 yards par 72
Garden Course which is described as ‘more
forgiving’. Nine holes of the latter are floodlit.
Both courses have strategically-placed bunkers and
salt-water lakes. Mature date palms and ornamental
trees surround a spectacular clubhouse built in the
shape of a large falcon swooping down on a golf
ball.
Extensive practice and training facilities are
available and the club also has an impressive range
of leisure facilities, including tennis, squash,
fitness centres and swimming pools. Green fees range
from Dh150 to Dh360 at peak times but check out the
special summer packages offering superb value.
Dubai
Creek Golf and Yacht Club, Al Garhoud
Road, Dubai (04 2956000). In the
 heart
of the city, the main 18-hole, floodlit par 72 grass
course, which forms the centrepiece of this leisure
complex, has excellent views of the creek. But
beware of the water hazards and tricky doglegs.
There is also a nine-hole par three, floodlit
course. Guests are welcome. Green fees are
approximately Dh400. A unique clubhouse design
echoes the billowing sails of a traditional Arab
dhow. Other facilities include a115-berth marina,
tennis courts, picnic and barbecue sites, cycling
and jogging tracks.
Dubai Country Club,
Hatta Road, Dubai is the oldest club in the
Emirates. It features an18-and a nine-hole sand
course. Golfers are issued with a small piece of
artificial turf to play off when on the fairways.
Non-members may play for a fee provided that they
are guests of an existing member, or wish to play at
off-peak hours.
Emirates Golf Club,
Junction 5, Sheikh Zayed Rd, Dubai (04 3473222).
Twenty
 minutes
from Dubai city centre, Emirates Golf club has two
challenging18-hole par 72 grass courses. The main
18-hole course is 7100 yards, playing to par 72. The
second 18-holes features a range of daunting bunkers
and water hazards. A striking clubhouse is built in
the shape of a series of bedouin tents. Visitors are
welcome on a pay-and-play basis. Green fees are
Dh330–365. Equipment is available for hire. The club
also a swimming pool, tennis courts, squash courts
and snooker room.
Abu Dhabi Golf & Equestrian
Club (02 4459600). A nine-hole, 6365-yard
par 70 fully floodlit course located in Mushrif in
the heart of Abu Dhabi. The racetrack runs through
the course, providing a formidable challenge on four
holes. Facilities include clubhouse, golf academy,
bars and restaurants, floodlit tennis courts,
swimming pool and pro-shop. Visitors are welcome.
Green fees for 18 holes are Dh230, 9 holes Dh140.
club car Dh40 for 18 holes and Dh25 for 9. Special
summer rates on request.
Al Ain Golf Club, Al Ain
(03 7686808). Visitors are welcome but ring ahead.
Al Dhafra Golf Links
Ruwais, Abu Dhabi (02 8771600)
Hilton Al Ain Golf Club,
this par 3 course is short but difficult. Open to
non-members, club hire available.
Jebel Ali Hotel and Golf
Resort, Dubai. Located about
30 minutes from Dubai city centre, this is a
nine-hole par 36 course with a central seawater
hazard. There is also a driving range with bunkers
and target greens. Visitors are welcome on a
pay-and–play basis and equipment is available for
hire.
Nad
al-Sheba Club, Al Awir Roundabout, Nad
al-Sheba Rd, Dubai (04 3363666)
 features
a floodlit 18-hole links-style course playing to par
71. The course has eight lakes and more than 110 pot
bunkers. Situated about 15 minutes from Dubai city
centre, this is a short course, the emphasis being
on accuracy.
The first nine is located inside the famous Nad
al-Sheba race track with the second nine outside the
track. Visitors are welcome on a pay-and-play basis.
During the racing season (November - April) check
last tee times with the club. Green fees are
Dh220-295. Equipment is available for hire. There is
also a large driving range, a practice putting area
and chipping greens.
Sharjah Wanderers Golf Club,
Sharjah (06 5586239) is a private membership club,
offering an 18-hole golf course, a gymnasium,
swimming pool, tennis, squash, rugby, football and
hockey ?
Dubai Desert Classic
(Dubai World Trade Centre). The Dubai Desert
Classic, a European Tour event sponsored by DUBAL,
is usually held in March. This is your chance to see
some of the world’s top professional golfers compete
for prize money in excess of US$1 million.
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Emirates travel information |
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Dubai
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Hotels
Dubai city of merchants, cultural
crossroads, second largest of the
seven United Arab Emirates. |
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Abu
Dhabi
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Hotels
Abu Dhabi is one of the most modern
cities in the world. It is the
center of government and business
life in the UAE. |
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Sharjah
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Hotels
Sharjah is the only Emirate to have
land on both the Arabian Sea and the
Indian Ocean. |
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Ajman
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Hotels
The
Emirate of Ajman is situated on the
coast of the Arabian Gulf, extending
over a distance of 16 Kilometres
long. |
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Fujairah
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Hotels
Emirate of Fujairah, one of the
seven emirates forming the United
Arab Emirates, witnessed a rapid
rate of economic and social
development. |
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Ras
Al Khaimah
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Hotels
Ras Al Khaimah was the seat of
ancient civilizations, as
archeological excavations have
shown. |
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Umm Al Quwain
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Hotels
The Emirate of Umm Al Quwain is
located along the coast of the
Arabian Gulf, between Sharjah to the
west. |
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