Dubai
There is more to Dubai than meets the eye. Situated on the Arabian Gulf it has transformed itself over the last 50 years from an oil rich desert into a modern, vibrant city with top notch golf
GETTING THERE
Try British Airways (www.ba.com), Emirates (www.emirates.com) and Gulf Air (www.gulfairco.com). Royal Brunei Airlines operate flights from London Heathrow only (www.bruneiair.com). BA and Emirates carry golf clubs for free.
WHERE TO PLAY
The Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club is an 18-hole, par-71 championship course that has hosted the Dubai Desert Classic. Its immaculate fairways are lined by palm trees while well-placed bunkers and water hazards will ask tough questions. Watch out for some tricky pin placements.
A short drive from the city centre lies Al Badia Golf Resort which runs adjacent to Dubai Creek. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jnr there are 11 lakes.
Towards Jumeirah Beach you?ll find the Emirates Golf Club, the first grass course in the Gulf region. It opened in 1988 and boasts two championship tracks ? the Majlis which regularly hosts the Dubai Desert Classic and the Wadi renovated by Nick Faldo. The Majlis, designed by Karl Litten, made Golf Digest?s World Golf Courses Top 100 for 2005.
Not far from Emirates GC is The Montgomerie, which is beautifully landscaped over 200 acres of Emirates Hills Estate. The course really comes into its own on the back nine, and includes a record-breaking green. At 58,000sqft the putting surface on the 190-yard par-3 13th hole is the largest single green in the world ? it is roughly two-thirds the size of a football pitch.
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An attractive nine-hole layout, the Resort Course at Jebel Ali Golf Resort and Spa shapes round a large saltwater lake and eucalyptus trees and exotic shrubs lend a dash of colour.
Finally, head to Arabian Ranches to play the Desert Course. Links in style, the verdant green fairways are a stark contrast to the desert on which this Ian Baker-Finch designed course has been laid out.
WHERE TO STAY
The Park Hyatt Dubai enjoys a waterfront location adjacent to Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club. All 225 rooms offer stunning views across the Dubai Creek, while the prime shopping malls are only a short taxi ride away.
The clubhouse at The Montgomerie offers 19 stylish guest suites, each offering butler service and magnificent views of the course. There?s a choice of five restaurants on site, including the sophisticated Nineteen, The Academy, a sports-themed bar serving pub-style food, and Bunkers, a spike bar.
Arabian Ranches is about a 30-minute drive from the city centre and has 11 guest rooms which overlook the course.
OFF COURSE
Discover the desert in a 4x4 jeep.
Camel racing makes for a great spectator sport. Races are held every week from October to March inclusive.
Jumeirah Beach, shaped like a breaking wave, has wonderful beaches and gardens and is located next to Wild Wadi, one of the world?s biggest water-based theme parks.
Contacts Book
Al Badia Golf Resort
www.albadiagolfresort.com
Arabian Ranches
www.thedesertcoursedubai.com
Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club
www.dubaigolf.com
Emirates Golf Club
www.dubaigolf.com
Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa
www.jebelali-international.com
Nad Al Sheba Club
www.nadalshebaclub.com
The Montgomerie
www.themontgomerie.com
Park Hyatt Dubai
www.dubai.park.hyatt.com
FURTHER INFORMATION
Log onto ww.dubaigolf.com or ww.dubaitourism.ae. For details on dining out and shopping visit www.timeoutdubai.com. Check out www.dubaicityguide.com for general details about events and attractions in Dubai.