United Arab Emirates Golf Courses | Play Golf in UAE
Following 20 years of fast-paced development, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has emerged as a leading, top-end golf destination, with a myriad of world-class golf courses to choose from. Offering white sand beaches, spectacular desert courses, luxury hotels and designer shopping, the UAE has a lot to offer the travelling golfer.
The UAE comprises seven Emirates; namely Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm al-Qaiwain, Ras al-Khaimah and Fuairah. The sun-soaked cities of Dubai and Abu Dhabi offer the largest selection of world-famous courses, including the Majlis course at the Emirates Golf Club, which hosts the European PGA event, the Dubai Desert Classic, each year. However, in more recent years, some of the smaller and lesser known Emirates, such as Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah have also developed their own top-notch golf courses that are now attracting visitors from around the world.
Facilities in this year-round golf destination are exceptional, with all comforts catered for, from lavish clubhouses, to motorized golf carts and automated GPS yardage devices. The striking architecture of many of their luxury clubhouses is an added drawcard. Who doesn’t fancy finishing a round in a clubhouse that is modeled to look like a Bedouin tent?
Golfasian can recommend and create a custom golf vacation for individuals or groups to any of our featured UAE golf destinations.
Start by selecting a golf course destination from the UAE Golf Course Map below.
Abu Dhabi Golf Club
Abu Dhabi Golf Club has been described as ‘an oasis of tranquility carved out of the desert’. Even so, it is conveniently located just 15-minutes-drive from Abu Dhabi city center. Offering 27 holes of superb golf, the course was designed by Peter Harradine and opened its doors to the public in 1998.
Address Montgomerie
The Address Montgomerie Dubai has become an icon of golf in the Middle East, consistently ranked as one of the top courses in the region. The course was designed by Colin Montgomerie and is located in ‘The Address’, one of Dubai’s most prestigious residential complexes.
This 18-hole links-style course, offers outstanding golf, within a beautiful Arabian environment.
Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club
Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club originally opened in 2007 as a 9-hole grassed golf course. Since then, the course has expanded into an 18-hole championship golf course with another 9-hole, par 3 course alongside it.
Al Ain Golf Club is part of the Al Ain Equestrian, Golf and Shooting Club (AEGSC).
[Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club Reservation & Information...]
Al Hamra Golf Club
Located on the shores of the Arabian Gulf in Ras Khaimah, Alhamra Golf Club was UAE’s first 18-hole golf course when it opened in 2007.Designed by Peter Harradinem, this par-72, championship course weaves its way around four inter-connected lagoons. Reportedly, 5 million cubic meters of sand and soil were moved during construction of the course.
Al Zorah Golf Club
Al Zorah Golf Club is an 18-hole, par 72 course, located in Ajman, the smallest state of the UAE. Just 25-minute drive from Dubai International Airport and 20 minutes from Sharjah International Airport, it an interesting alternative for golfers visiting Dubai. O
pened in December 2015, this par-72 championship course was designed by Nicklaus Design and is now managed by Troon Golf.
Arabian Ranches Golf Club
Built in 2004, Arabian Ranches Golf Club is an Ian Baker-Finch, Nicklaus designed course, located within a large, residential community, just minutes from Dubai’s iconic attractions. The course is set out over 247-acres of land. Built as a true desert style course, only 120-acres of the course is irrigated.
Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club
Established in 1993, Dubai Golf & Yacht Club offers an 18-hole championship golf course, as well as a 9-hole, par 3 course. Conveniently situated just a couple of minutes-drive from Dubai International Airport, the course is surprisingly tranquil, given its city center location.
Golf World Magazine has voted this course one of the world’s ‘Top Must-Play Golf Courses’.
[Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club Reservation & Information...]
Dubai Hills Golf Club
Dubai Hills Golf Club opened its doors to the public at the end of 2018. It is the latest addition to Dubai’s now extensive world-class golf offering. Located just 15 minutes from Dubai city center, this 18-hole, par-72 championship golf course boasts an outstanding layout and dramatic views of the city skyline.
Emirates Golf Club (Night Golf)
If you are looking for a round of night golf, then ‘The Faldo’ at Emirates Golf Club is the place to do it. In fact, it is currently the only course in the region where you can play 18-holes of floodlit golf. The scale and size of the impressive Dubai skyline makes it an appealing location to play night golf, not to mention the fact that the evenings tend to be bring slightly cooler and less humid than the day.
[Emirates Golf Club (Night Golf) Reservation & Information...]
Emirates Golf Club, Faldo Course
In 1996, the Faldo Course was the second 18-hole, championship golf course to be opened at the Emirates Golf Club. The course was originally named ‘The Wadi’, the Arabic word for ‘valley’. However, in 2005, golfing great, Nick Faldo redesigned the course and it was reopened under the new name, ‘The Faldo’.
[Emirates Golf Club, Faldo Course Reservation & Information...]
Emirates Golf Club, Majlis Course
When it was opened in 1988, The Majlis course at the Emirates Golf Club was the first 18-hole grass course in the Middle East. The Club was the inspiration of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rasheed Al Maktoum and the Bedouin tent styled clubhouse nestled behind the 8th green, is named after him.
At the time of construction, the Majlis was surrounded by desert.
[Emirates Golf Club, Majlis Course Reservation & Information...]
Jumeirah Golf Estate, Earth Course
Jumeirah Golf Estates’ Earth course is home to the DP World Tour Championship, the culmination of The Race to Dubai and European Tour Season. Designed by Greg Norman, this 18-hole, par 72 golf course was voted the 82nd best course in the world in Golf Digest’s ‘World’s Top 100 Golf Courses’. It was also voted sixth place on Golf Digest Middle East’s ‘Top 10 Courses: 2018 Readers’ Choice’.
[Jumeirah Golf Estate, Earth Course Reservation & Information...]
Jumeirah Golf Estate, Fire Course
The ‘Fire’ golf course at Jumeirah Golf Estate, is one of two 18-hole, par-72, Greg Norman designed championship courses. It’s sister course, Earth, is a challenging course with a handicap rating of 140.
The Fire course, on the other hand has a handicap rating of 110 and is a more classical and perhaps ‘fairer’ course to play.
[Jumeirah Golf Estate, Fire Course Reservation & Information...]
Saadiyat Beach Golf Club
Designed by Gary Player, Saadiyat Beach Club is an 18-hole, par-72 golf course which opened for play in March 2010. At the time, it was billed as the Persian Gulf’s first ocean course, with six holes featuring panoramic Gulf views.
Located on Sandiyat Island, 10 kilometers to the north east of Abu Dhabi city center, the course is one of the most environmentally friendly in the region due to the strict environmental guidelines it has been built to.
The ELS Club
The 18-hole, par-72 Els Club was the first completed venue within the multi-billion-dollar Dubai Sports City venue. Now home to the world’s first purpose-built Manchester United Soccer School, the ICC’s own Global Cricket Academy and a David Lloyd Tennis Academy, Dubai Sports City is in a league of its own.
Designed by the great Ernie Els, the course is 7,538 yards from the tips.
Trump International Golf Club
Designed by world-renowned golf architect, Gil Hanse and opened in the year 2000, Trump International Golf Club is a par 71, 18-hole golf course, situated in the heart of the vast Damac Hills residential development.
At 7,205 yards in length, the course weaves through 500 acres of previously flat, desert land, whilst utilizing a cavernous gorge as the backbone of the routing. The course offers interesting elevation changes, great views and many exciting shots.
[Trump International Golf Club Reservation & Information...]
Yas Links
Established in 2001, Yas Links Abu Dhabi is an 18-hole links course, designed by Kyle Phillip and set among attractive, rolling hills and mangrove plantations.
It’s considered to be one of the most natural courses in the region and holds the mantle of being the only true links style course in the Middle East. Located on the shores of Yas Island, all 18 holes offer ocean views, whilst 8 have been built right up to the shoreline.
