Best Golf Courses in the UAE

How many golf courses are there in the UAE? 

There are currently 26 golf courses in the country; Ajman and Sharjah each have one, Ras Al Khaimah has two, Dubai has 13 and Abu Dhabi has nine.

We list eight of the best golf courses in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, and Ajman in this post.

Saadiyat Beach Golf Club

Recognised as the Arabian Gulf’s first ocean course, the Saadiyat Beach Golf Club is one of the most beautiful courses in the region. Golf icon and Grand Slam winner Gary Player designed the stunning golf course, which covers an expansive 300 acres on Saadiyat Island.

The Saadiyat  Beach Golf Club features a putting green, a driving range, and a chipping area, which allows players to practise their swings. There’s a saltwater lagoon, lakes, and mesmeric dunes providing quite the stunning backdrop to tee off. 

The 18-hole course weaves in and out of some of the best hotels in Saadiyat Island that dot the beachfront, with six holes looking out into the magnificent Arabian Gulf. On some days, you might even spot a dolphin or two.

Considering the golf course’s location, it’s only fitting that it has been designed to minimise its environmental impact. The Saadiyat Beach Golf Club’s commitment to the environment has not gone unnoticed. 

It is the only course in the UAE to receive the Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary. Given by the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Programme of Golf Courses, the certification supports golf courses to preserve and enhance wildlife habitat and protect natural resources through guidance and information.

After an exhilarating game, players can change in the posh locker rooms and unwind in the spa before making their way to Hawksbill restaurant at the clubhouse.

Yas Links

Another popular golf course in Abu Dhabi is Yas Links on the western shores of Yas Island. The 18-hole course covers 7,450 yards, and like Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, has stunning coastal views.

It’s considered one of the first true links courses in the UAE. Most links courses, which are characterised by natural terrain and situated in coastal areas, are in Scotland, England, and Ireland. 

The golf course, designed by Kyle Philips, is a challenging one. It comes with bunkers or sand traps, doglegs, and water features to conquer. It is still, however, a favourite among golfers of all skill levels.

Yas Links features a nine-hole academy course, putting green, and driving range. Players and visitors to this Abu Dhabi golf course can enjoy the sports bar and fine dining restaurant at the clubhouse.

Emirates Golf Club Dubai

The Emirates Golf Club is one of the best golf courses in Dubai. Surrounded by the city skyline and designed to resemble a Bedouin tent, the Emirates Golf Club is home to the Majlis course. It’s the first 18-hole golf course in the Middle East.

The course covers about 7,301 yards from the tips with par at 72. With a layout designed by Karl Litten, Majlis features a narrow ribbon of green on the fairway on natural undulating terrain, creating quite a tough game for players. Holes 7 through 9 are said to be particularly challenging because they are surrounded by tall desert dunes and seven natural saltwater lakes.

Emirates Golf Club is home to the Dubai Desert Classic Tournament.

Abu Dhabi Golf Club

The Abu Dhabi Golf Club is one of the more unique courses in the UAE. It features 27 holes. The front 18 holes, called the National Course, feature generous greens and strategically placed sand traps, making it an ideal course for more experienced players; whereas the back nine, called the Garden Course, are more suited to new players.

The clubhouse is in the shape of a falcon with outstretched wings. Apart from its striking design, the clubhouse also houses a restaurant, bar and lounge, and a massage room, ensuring all players have what they need to relax after a round of golf.

Dubai Hills Golf Club

Dubai Hills Golf Club is situated in the masterfully planned neighbourhoods of Dubai Hills Estate. Although it’s one of the more recent golf clubs in the UAE, it has already received recognition as the ‘Best New Golf Course in the Middle East’ at the World Golf Awards in 2018.

The Dubai Hills Golf Club features a putting green, driving range, golf school, and golf shop. Players and visitors can enjoy the luxurious amenities in the clubhouse including, a spa, pool, and fitness centre.

Al Zorah Golf Club

Like the Abu Dhabi Golf Club, the Al Zorah has an impressive clubhouse in the shape of a falcon. This golf club is located in Ajman, and is surrounded by lush mangroves and lagoons, making it quite the paradise. 

The Al Zorah course is designed with a 2-square-kilometre inland creek, which elevates the kind of tranquility one gets from playing on a magnificent golf course.

Al Hamra Golf Club

Finally, the Al Hamra Golf Club is located in the lush and tranquil setting of Ras Al Khaimah. Designed by Peter Harradine, the golf course weaves around four interconnected lagoons. The 18-hole golf course is ideal for golfers of all skill levels.

Much like the other golf courses on this list, Al Hamra is committed to preserving the environment. It is the first golf course in the UAE to go completely plastic-free.

Is It Too Hot to Play Golf in Dubai or Elsewhere in the UAE?

The UAE does get quite hot in the summer, which is from June to September. Temperatures could hit upwards of 40ºC. It not only gets hot but humid as well, so it may not do your handicap any good if you hit the course during summer.

Try, instead, to book your games around April to May and October. These are considered mid-season, which means fewer tourists and more affordable prices. It’s a good time to play golf in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, or elsewhere in the UAE during these three months since temperatures will also be milder.

November through March is also considered a good time to visit a golf course.

Can You Drink on a Golf Course in Dubai?

It is best to check with the golf course you’ve picked if you can drink while playing. 

The UAE is a dry country, which means alcohol is restricted to bars and hotels. In general, a golf club with a bar will serve alcohol at the 19th hole.

Take a Golf Holiday at Saadiyat Island

A golf holiday can extend out of the fairway. Whether the game is part of a business engagement or not, you can relax and unwind, appreciate nature, and enjoy all the amenities of any of the golf courses in the UAE, like the Saadiyat Beach Golf Club

Saadiyat Island is the perfect destination for a golf holiday. With world-class amenities and well-kept surroundings, you’ll reset and recharge while improving your handicap.

Contact us today for Saadiyat Beach Golf Club membership or other Saadiyat island enquiries.