Article:
ISSUE No.6 September - October 2007

Golfing on the Gulf
The Best Places in the Middle East

Golfing on lush green lawns in Dubai or Abu Dhabi seems most unlikely considering the temperatures hovering around the 40 degrees C mark. The Emirates did not spare cost or effort to set up lawns to international standards in the middle of the desert. Computerized irrigation systems keep grass and shrubs from drying up in no time. It is obvious by the numerous golf courses in the United Arab Emirates that this sport is popular with vacationers and residents alike. The conditions and beauty of the courses show excellent design that is complimented by elegant clubhouses.
One very renowned golf course is the “Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club”. Top architect Carl Litten designed this 18-hole golf tournament course along with a 9-hole course that allows guests to work on their handicap even at night under floodlights.
The oldest facility is at the “Emirates Golf Club”, opened in 1988; it offers two 18-hole courses. The “Majlis Course” and the “Wadi Course” are familiar names to even the most accomplished golfers of the highest standard. Tournament golfers have ranked these two courses, which are known for their tricky water obstacles and bunkers, with some of the best European PGA-Tour courses in Europe. The Dubai Desert Classic, one of the best placed and most lucrative tourneys, has been taking place here for many years. Pro golfer Tiger Woods was able to turn last year’s tournament in his favor.
Another prime example is “The Montgomerie, Dubai”. This challenging course was designed by the Scottish golf legend and world class player Colin Montgomerie. With its 14 lakes and 70 bunkers, it lures the most seasoned and experienced players.
In the neighboring Emirate you find the “Abu Dhabi Golf Club by Sheraton”. Two excellent courses, “The National” and “The Garden” are 18-hole championship courses that were designed by Peter Harradine and are captivating with their superb conditions. The club is the largest training facility on the Gulf and offers, besides floodlights, putting greens and a driving range, a fitness center, a swimming pool, tennis courts and a spa area with sauna and Jacuzzi.
The “Sharjah Wanderer’s Golf Club” offers a special Ladies Golf Day on Tuesday afternoons. This offer is for all women who are interested in this green sport.

The neighboring countries, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman, also try to gain favor with golfing enthusiasts.
The “Doha Golf Club” in Qatar is host to the International Qatar Masters since 1998. The tournament was won last year by the Swede Henrik Stenson.
It is also rumored that the King of Bahrain frequents the “Riffa Gulf Club” when his own 9-hole field gets too small.
Oman invites golfers as well, but so far only on sandy courses. This should change soon; the Sultanate wants to be among the most desirable golfing destinations in the region by 2010. At the moment work is being done on a 10-hole golf course”, the “Muscat Golf and Country Club” and “The Blue Wave Golf Club”. A highlight will be the “Blue City Resort” which is planned for 2020. It will cost 10 billion US dollars and includes an unusual golf course. The Gulf States offer the right Green for everyone. Seasoned players as well as beginning hackers profit from the numerous tee-off possibilities. Dubai alone offers at least five challenging places for even the most advanced golfers.

Golfing Background
The sport of golfing looks back on a long tradition. The first recorded rules date back to 1744 and are from the Gentlemen Golfers of Leith. The game, which was developed in Scotland, was long considered to be an elitist and expensive pastime. Meanwhile the sport has developed into a people sport with approximately 50 million followers worldwide.
The aim of the game is: get a ball (about 42.67mm diameter) with as few strokes as possible into a hole that is 10.8cm in diameter. The playing field usually encompasses 18 playing lanes, also called “Holes”, these can measure 7,000 meters in total length. A golf course consists of the basic elements: Tee-off area, fairway and green.
Every one of the playing lanes (holes) has a so-called “Par” defined for it. This value defines the number of strokes (hits) a very good player needs in order to get his ball in the hole. The total of needed strokes is called the “Score” and is entered onto the score-card.
In order to play on a golf course the player has to know his handicap. This he can determine through courses and subsequent tests in theory and practice. When the requirements are met the player receives a minimum handicap of usually 54 for beginners; that number can be brought down by playing well. The handicap mirrors the actual ability of the player. A handicap of 54 means it took the player 54 strokes over par which is usually 72.
A player with a handicap of 7 plays on the average 7 strokes over par. The handicap system is only for amateurs, not for pros. A Pro plays without any adjustment of the score to match his playing ability. In other words, a pro is always ranked with a zero handicap.

 

 

 

Golf Clubs in the UAE

Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi Golf Club by Sheraton
Tel: +971 2 558 8990
info@adgolfclub.com

Abu Dhabi Golf and Equestrian Club
Tel: +971 2 445 9600
www.adec-web.com

Al Ghazal Golf Club Abu Dhabi
Tel: +971 02 5758040
www.worldsandgolf.com

Dubai

Arabian Ranches Golf Club
Tel: +971 4 366 3000
www.thedesertcourse.com

Al Badia Golf Resort
Tel: +971 4 601 0101
www.fourseasons.com/dubaigolf

Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club
Tel: +971 4 295 6000
www.dubaigolf.com

Dubai Country Club
Tel: +971 4 333 1155
www.dubaicountryclub.com

Fire and Earth by Jumeirah Golf Estates
Tel: +971 4 375 9999
www.jumeirahgolfestates.com

Jebel Ali Golf Resort and Spa
Tel: +971 4 8836000
www.jebelali-international.com

The Montgomerie Dubai
Tel: +971 4 390 5600
www.themontgomerie.com

Nad Al Sheba Golf Club
Tel: +971 4 336 3666
www.dubaigolf.com

The Dunes at Victory Heights
Tel: +971 4 329 2121
www.vh.ae

Ras Al Kaimah

Tower Links Golf Club
Tel: +971 7 227 8555
www.towerlinks.com

Sharjah

Sharjah Wanderers Golf Club
Tel: +971 6 558 6239
www.sharjahwanderers.com