Dubai is the largest city in the UAE and the capital of the Emirate of Dubai – the most populated of the seven emirates. Founded as a fishing village in the 18th century, the city boomed in the early 21st century with a focus on tourism, luxury and architectural feats, such as the tallest building in the world – the Burj Khalifa, which stands 828 metres tall. It is also home to one of the highest numbers of five-star hotels in the world.
Located in the eastern Arabian Peninsula on the coast of the Persian Gulf, Dubai is a major global transportation hub for both passengers and cargo. Historically a hub for regional and international trade since the early 20th century, the city’s economy has largely been driven by revenues from tourism, aviation, real estate, and financial services, while oil production now contributes only a small fraction to its GDP. As of 2021, Dubai is home to a population of more than 3 million.
Take advantage of the prime location of Dubai golf courses, located within 30 minutes of the major hotels and business districts. Enjoy the unique Arabian hospitality, premium locker room amenities and practice facilities to get your ‘A’ game in shape before teeing off. Make sure to arrive early to experience the full golfing experience.
Golfing in Dubai offers an experience enriched with helpful staff at each facility, with caddies an option at some locations and buggies included. Do not forget to stay hydrated, bring sunscreen and make frequent stops for snacks to keep your energy up. As rounds typically last around four to five hours due to travel between greens, patience is key.
Tiger Woods’ iconic drives from the helipad of the Burj Al Arab, the world’s tallest hotel, marked a new chapter in Dubai’s journey to becoming a renowned golf destination. Many hailed Woods’ 2004 shot as miraculous, yet the real miracle had occurred 15 years earlier, when Emirates Golf Club opened its grass course in the midst of the desert, enabling members and visitors to experience golf in Dubai for the first time.
The birth of the desert miracle known as Dubai golf, followed by the arrival of the European Tour and the Dubai Desert Classic, brought the world’s best golfers to the Majlis Course.
As developers continued to build and people flocked to the region, the warm winter climate became one of Dubai’s most desirable features. Its golf courses, boasting excellent conditioning and playing surfaces, were the city’s unique selling point and still remain so today. In recent years, new golf courses with well-known names like Montgomerie, Norman, Faldo, Woods, and Els have been developed, sprawling across master planned housing developments or within a towering cityscape of green terraces. The ‘Desert Swing’ has been beneficial to golf in Dubai, including three professional tour events in the gulf and the ‘Race to Dubai’ ending with the DP World Tour Championship.
Dubai boasts a variety of golf courses, each with its own distinct features and convenient access. Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club and Jumeirah Golf Estates are particularly well-reviewed by golfers. Additionally, there are several floodlit golf courses, providing a great choice for those with a later work shift or who prefer to enjoy golf in the cooler evenings of the summer. For those seeking different levels of challenge and cost, there are 9 and 18 hole championship courses, as well as smaller academy courses.
