Tee off in Dubai

Tee off in what is fast becoming one of the world’s most popular golfing destinations offering immaculate courses set against the Dubai skyline and desert backdrop.

Why would you want to play golf in Dubai? Perhaps for its lush, tranquil fairways set amidst the desert and magnificent Dubai skylines, it luxurious courses and facilities, and not forgetting its glorious climate. Here you can golf year round. The average temperatures in the spring and autumn are 35oC, and cooler in December with temperatures of a comfortable 18oC. If that doesn’t tug at any golfer’s heart strings then what does?

Dubai is home to some of the world’s most famous golfing competitions on the calendar. Omega Dubai Desert Classic, currently the world’s richest tournament, is held in January-February. DP World Tour Championship, which attracts 55,000 spectators to the four day event, takes place in November, marking the end of the European Tour.

There are two courses within easy reach of the Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Media City: Montgomerie Golf Course and Emirates Golf Club.

Nestled in Emirates Hills, an elite residential area of Dubai, you will find the Address Montgomerie Dubai’s championship golf course . Troon Golf, who own 186 golf properties worldwide, manage this course designed by Colin Montgomerie, one of the most famous names in golf. The championship golf club owes its success to the exclusiveness of its course.

It successfully combines elements of a typical Scottish course, with the added glamour of what you would expect from the Arabian landscape. Set over 265 acres of landscapes fairways, 14 lakes, palm trees and 81 bunkers, this is a wonderfully scenic course. At a glance this fairway appears to be made up of gentle rolling hills. However, don’t be fooled. On closer inspection the terrain is undulating and there are some tricky putts. Wind can become a factor here, making it one of the most challenging courses in Dubai on a windy day. In saying that, this course is suitable for all skill levels.

The Montgomerie course is certainly interesting, but perhaps the most attractive part is the 13th green. Shaped like the U.A.E. it offers a 360 degree teeing area. No two swings from this spot will be the same. It also claims to be the largest single green in the world, measured at 58,000 square feet.

The 18th green is where you will find the club house for that well-earned refreshment, in a charming restaurant aptly named Bunkers. Not only is this a championship golf course, it is also home to The Academy, thought to be one of the best teaching facilities in the world.

The Emirates Gold Club made history by being the first all-grass championship course to open in the Middle East, in 1988. Since then, many others have followed. This club supports two 18-hole courses: Majlis and Faldo. The latter takes the name of another champion golfer.

The most distinctive part of this golf course has to be the white club house which dominates the course. Situated just on the edge of the city, you are once again reminded by the Dubai skyscrapers, where in the world you are. The club house offers a choice of restaurants from classic French or Mediterranean cuisine. There is off course Spike Bar, the ideal place to relax with refreshments as you overlook the fairways after a round of golf.

Majlis is the flagship par 72 course, where the 18 holes were specifically designed around the dunes. Amidst the greens, you will find hundreds of indigenous species of flora and fauna, giving you a sense of wilderness, right outside one of the world’s bustling cities. It has a reputation across the globe, and has won many awards. Between the 8th and 9th holes stands the Majlis building, now a famous landmark of the city.

The Faldo course opened in 2006. The main feature that runs through this par-72 course is the ‘wadi’, the Arabic word for a natural valley, which intercepts play. In true Faldo style, the fairways have quite rugged terrain and bunkers. There is a unique opportunity to play night golf here. Enjoy a full 18 hole round of golf under floodlights. It’s an attractive prospect for those who have work constraints or find the temperatures too high during the daytime.

Dubai brings a new level of glamour to golf. In many countries you will battle the elements. Here the only element you will battle is perhaps the heat, not a bad complaint. The golf courses offer a tranquil oasis amongst the vast desert, and a quiet haven amidst the metropolis of Dubai.

Which golf course would you like to tee off from?