The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is home to some of the world’s wealthiest places to live. With Abu Dhabi and Dubai being two of the wealthiest states they have developed from deserts just 40 years ago to the largest and most affluent states of the UAE. This of course means high tourism, luxury hotels, and resorts, which indeed come with some of the most beautiful golf courses, possibly you can argue, the best in the world. If you’re looking for your next golf break and don’t know where to venture then the UAE is for you, and here’s why…
Golf in Dubai
Famous for their superb city views and lush green grass contrasting the golden desert, Dubai’s golf courses are like no other. You can either play during the day and soak up the dazzling sunshine or with extremely hot summers and temperatures reaching up to 45°you’ll find that it’s more popular to play after sunset, as courses are floodlit and open throughout the evening too.
One of the best places to play golf in Dubai is The Emirates Golf Club. This club has two championship courses you can choose from, The Majlis course and The Fado. Majlis, the flagship course of the club has a reputation for being a challenging course. With 7 lakes complimented by the indigenous species of greenery, the winding fairways keep some of the best golfers on their toes.
Another outstanding golf course in Dubai is The Jumeirah Golf Estate. Home to two courses, The Earth and The Fire course. The Earth course, host of the DP World Tour Championship, is inspired by the parklands of North America and Europe. This course has a testing terrain from differing angles and alternating perspectives from each tee.
The Els Club, known as one of the finest golfing destinations in the Middle East was designed by former Us Open Championship winner Ernie Elis. With a love for UK courses, Elis has used his passion to recreate the features of a UK course but in a desert landscape. Creating the “best new international course” named by the US magazine “Links”.
From challenging championship winners’ designs to European-inspired courses, a Dubai holiday really is one of the best ways to experience golf in the UAE.
Golf in Abu Dhabi
You may think an Abu Dhabi holiday is all about the Ferrari world and luxury shopping, but this ever-growing city has become one of the most popular golfing holiday destinations in the world. With its diversity of golf courses, you will find that each course is totally unique meaning you can play with a completely different experience each day of the week.
Abu Dhabi Golf Club provides players with 162-hectares home to 27 holes. The 18-hole National Championship course challenges players with a tough game, having hosted the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship from 2005 to 2021, this course allows you to walk in the footsteps of some of the most professional golfers.
The Kyle Philips designed courses of Yas Links is home to the 2022 Abu Dhabi 2022 HSBC Championship, with an 18 hole course and a 9 hole course Yas Links is great for those wishing to practice from all levels of abilities. Providing incredible views of the Arabian Gulf this club is the perfect holiday experience.
Lastly, we have the Saadiyat Beach Golf club, home to the Championship course designed by Gary Player and host of the first ladies European tour in Abu Dhabi, this golf club is home to the course voted “Best course in the UAE” in 2015 by the World Golf Awards. Providing beautiful sea views, this eco-conscious course homes restored beach dunes and three saltwater lakes giving this course plenty of on-course hazards for you to challenge yourself with.
Abu Dhabi is home to an ample amount of courses and golf clubs, becoming a highly competitive golf destination. With its luxury hotels and resorts and championship courses, Abu Dhabi golf is a truly unique experience and most certainly one to put on your bucket list.
Where to stay?
When the UAE provides so many golfing holiday-worthy destinations how can you possibly choose where to stay? At Value Added Travel we have a collection of luxury hotels and resorts in the Middle East. From The St Regis at Saadiyat Island which is only a stone’s throw from the Saadiyat Beach Golf Club. To the JA Beach Hotel close to the Jumeirah Golf Estate.
Our collection of luxury hotels and resorts in the Middle East will certainly give you the best places to stay for the ultimate golfing holiday, with around 26 golf courses to play golf in the UAE you are completely spoilt for choice. Don’t forget to bear in mind, that with the Middle East’s scorching hot summers the best time of the year to play golf in the UAE is between December and February when the weather is a little cooler. However, if you do choose to visit in the other months, courses are usually floodlit into the evening giving you the option to soak up the sun at the pool by day and play golf by night. What a dream golfing holiday!
