Finding your Perfect Play: Golf in Dubai

Impressive terrain, world-class course architecture, year round play and major golf tournaments.

Dubai hosts tournaments of international importance and is quickly becoming one of golf’s hottest destinations. Golf in Dubai is a special experience, not least for the impressive terrains, world-class course architecture, year round play and major golf tournaments. The best time to play here is October to March, so Dubai provides a perfect option for autumn and winter escapes.

If you’re not used to golfing in a hot country, your usual schedule might need a check-over. While the Dubai sun is lovely for those of us usually dependent on more fickle weather, there will be points during the day when it’s too hot to play a round. Luckily for guests and members of these top golfing facilities in Dubai, greens usually open early, from 6 am, and stay open until dusk, while some also offer floodlit facilities. There are plenty of different greens and golf resorts in Dubai on offer, and depending on your requirements, we should be able to help you find the perfect one. So here’s our round-up of all the essential golfing insights to enjoy Dubai!

For learning and improving

Butch Harmon School of Golf at The Els Club, or Emirates Golf Academy both offer great opportunities to get a good head start in the game if you’re new, or help you catch up with your peers or business associates if you want to up your game and impress on the green. Emirates Golf Academy is staffed exclusively with PGA qualified instructors. Most golf clubs in Dubai do have academies which offer training programmes or mentoring so even for those travelling with colleagues, friends or family of varying handicaps, there will be something to accommodate all your needs in one place. For more specific requirements, just check the resorts’ websites or inquire when booking.

If you are visiting Dubai with children, the Al Badia Golf Club hosts a Junior Development Programme and two-day Junior Golf Camp. Or for the most discerning players out there, The Address Montgomerie is the height of luxury for golf lovers, managed by the word-renowned Troon Golf, and also offers expert coaching. Designed by Colin Montgomerie in association with Desmond Muirhead, this course covers 265 acres, including 123 acres of turf, 93 acres of landscaped gardens, and 14 man-made lakes. It also features 81 large bunkers. 

For beautiful courses and great venues

Emirates Golf Club boasts The Faldo and the Majlis courses, both of which put the naturally rolling desert terrain to best use to create a golfing challenge that the more seasoned golfer wouldn’t dream of passing up. In fact it’s ideal for hosting the Omega Dubai Desert Classic and Omega Dubai Ladies Masters every year, and was actually the first all grass championship golf course in the Middle East when it opened in 1988. Furthermore, the Faldo Course is the only 18-hole course in the region to offer night golf.

Emirates Golf Club also hosts impressive venues for entertaining guests after a long day on the green. The Clubhouse Terrace has terrific views of some of the Majlis Course’ greens, and can cater to events for up to 500 guests in this beautiful setting. If you want to host up to 3000 guests, then The Lawn makes a really special scene, with the Dubai Marina as its incredible backdrop. Meanwhile the prestige of The Majlis Golf Course only makes The Royal Majlis which rests on its peak even more spectacular; French boudoir interiors grace the inside of this incredible Bedouin-tent shaped building. The two influences couple well to make a dining experience with real class. This is a sophisticated resort for those out to enjoy the luxury and beauty on offer here.

For plenty of choice

The Jebel Ali Golf Resort is perfect for those travelling as a family, or in a group with mixed interests because besides having incredible golf facilities, it also offers horse riding, clay shooting, football, archery, tennis, squash, badminton, table tennis, pools, gymnasium areas, mini-golf, deep-sea fishing, boat rides, kayaking, water polo, snorkelling, windsurfing, water skiing, aqua aerobics and diving! Phew! And if all that choice is enough to wear you out, Jebel Ali Golf Resort rests right on the seafront so you can just stroll down to the beach and kick back. The golf facilities are really something special though because they are, in part, exclusive to players with a maximum handicap of 28 for men, 45 for women. However, beginners and less capable golfers are welcome to take golf lessons and to use the practice facilities. This 9-hole, par 36, championship standard resort course was designed by Peter Harradine, who has earned international renown as a golf course architect. The course features exotic trees, original desert flora and shrubs, while each hole is uniquely landscaped. There is also a saltwater lake on the course, which plays its own part on five holes. Besides their impressive golf course which offers views of the Arabian Gulf, and the peacocks that roam freely on the fairways, there is also a large floodlit driving range offering chipping and putting greens to practice your skill. Keen golfers should take up the guidance of one of the experienced golf instructors for some extra improvement.

Hopefully this has whetted your appetite for your own journey to Dubai’s top golf destinations, and will have you racing off to the driving range, or practicing your putting while you anticipate your trip! Remember, there are various other venues and courses nestled in and around the emirate in addition to the ones we’ve just listed, so check out the complete list here and make sure you book your tee times early. Happy golfing!