If you are a golf aficionado, you might want to set your sights on the Middle East. There’s more to the region than just sand dunes and camels. Even though it may not be at the top of your bucket list, there are some pretty stellar golf courses in the Middle East that will leave you coming back for more. There are many great places to play this challenging game, but what if we tell you that there are certain locations where golf can take on an even more unique flavor?
So, read on to know about the best golf courses in Middle East and get ready to tee off with style!
Dunes Golf Club, Dubai
The Dunes Golf Club in Dubai is not only among the most iconic golfing destinations in the region but also one of the most highly rated in the world. This 18-hole golf course will set a standard that other courses in the region will have to strive to achieve. The Dunes Golf Club is home to the annual Grapes and Bulls wine and sports festival and is also the venue for Dubai Desert Classic, one of the oldest and most prestigious events in the European Tour.
The 3-par course is located in the Al Badia Desert, offering some of the best desert scenery in Dubai and a memorable experience for golfers all over the world. Apart from the picturesque views and challenging golf course, the Dunes Golf Club also offers a premium golf experience, from the minute you enter the Clubhouse. The luxury golf course is owned by the Dubai government-owned company, Al Badia Golf Course Holding and managed by the Troon Golf Company, a top golf management and tourism company.
The Clubhouse is full of history and offers a premium golf experience with a great food and beverage menu.
Royal Abu Dhabi Golf Course
The Royal Abu Dhabi Golf Club is the only golf club in the world that has hosted two Presidents Cup events, and more importantly, the only club outside of Great Britain to have hosted The Open Championship (also known as the British Open), back in 2009. This golf course is situated on the southern tip of the Arabian Peninsula, in an area known as the Garden City, next to the Arabian Gulf.
The Royal Abu Dhabi Golf Club features two 18-hole golf courses, a golf academy and golf shop, helipad, and is home to two hotels and a convention center. Both courses here offer a challenging and uniquely different experiences, thanks to the geographical location of the courses, which are separated by a natural barrier formed by the Wadi el Zayid, a seasonal river flowing from the direction of inland Abu Dhabi.
The East Course was the site for the 2009 British Open, and the West Course is considered to be a par-72 challenge with a length of 7,200 yards.
Al Zaher Golf Resort, Abu Dhabi
Situated on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi, the Al Zaher Golf Resort is surrounded by natural desert landscapes. The Al Zaher Golf Resort is a 27-hole golf course with one of the most beautiful settings in the region. The Al Zaher Golf Resort has a vibrant history and has hosted many prestigious sporting events, such as the Men’s and Women’s Golf World Cup, Asian Tour and many more.
The golf course is spread across 800 acres of land and offers a Par 72 challenge with a length of 6,100 yards. There are four golf courses here, two of which are open to the public. The Al Zaher Golf Resort also has a golf academy, a driving range, a pro shop, and a restaurant.
Arabian Ranches Golf Club
The unique thing about this golf course is that it is located within an Arabian Ranches residential community. The Arabian Ranches Golf Club is a 27-hole golf course that has been designed by the legendary golf course designer, Dr. Michael Hurdzan. It is also the only golf course in the world where you can play a five-course golf package.
The Arabian Ranches Golf Club is one of the most challenging golf courses in Abu Dhabi with a Par 72 length of 5,878 yards. It has three 18-hole golf courses, all of which offer a unique experience. The Wadi Course is an easier par 72 with a length of 5,192 yards. The Oasis Course is a par 72 with a length of 5,635 yards. The Desert Course is a par 72 with a length of 5,972 yards.
Qasai Rotana Abu Dhabi
If you are looking for a golfing experience with a difference, the Qasai Rotana Abu Dhabi offers a unique floating golf course. The Qasai Rotana Golf Course is a 9-hole course that is built in a mangrove area. The course is designed to be eco-friendly and uses solar energy to power the lights at night. The Qasai Rotana is the first golf course in the UAE to be built over water and is an amazing place to play a round of golf, especially in the evening when the course is lit up.
The golf course has a par of 36, and it is a challenging course and is not suitable for beginners. The floating golf course is only open to hotel guests, but the hotel also has a golf simulator, so that you can get a feel of the course and try out your skills without going in the water!
Desert Hills Golf Club, Oman
The Desert Hills Golf Club, in Oman, is one of the oldest golf clubs in the Middle East, having been established in 1972. The Desert Hills Golf Club has two 18-hole courses, the Dhofar and the Wadi Al Abid courses, both of which offer a Par 72 challenge with a length of 6,828 yards. The Desert Hills Golf Club offers a unique golfing experience, as the Dhofar course is built in the foothills of the Jebel Al Akhdar Mountains and the Wadi Al Abid course is built in a palm grove.
The Desert Hills Golf Club hosted the inaugural Golf Safari, an international golf event, earlier this year. Apart from the golf courses, the club also has a golf academy, a pro shop, and a restaurant.
Conclusion
The game of golf originated in Scotland, and its popularity has spread around the globe. Golf courses can be found in almost every country, and there are also many variations of the game that are played on many different types of courses.
The top five golf courses in the Middle East are Dunes Golf Club, Dubai, Royal Abu Dhabi Golf Course, Al Zaher Golf Resort, Abu Dhabi, Arabian Ranches Golf Club, Abu Dhabi, Al Zaher Golf Resort, Abu Dhabi, Qasai Rotana Abu Dhabi, and Desert Hills Golf Club, Oman.
Now that you know about these amazing golfing destinations, are you ready to tee off? If you are a golfer from the Middle East, you now have five amazing new destinations to add to your list of places to play. If you don’t golf, these places make for some great vacation spots, as well. So grab your clubs, or grab some clubs, and get ready to enjoy a great game in the Middle East! Also checkout The Best Gold Courses in United States.
