Golf may have been considered as a sport of the elite, but I have always found it to be the perfect pretext to travel, feast on some breathtaking scenery, breathe in fresh air and buy myself a couple of hours of peace, far from the maddening horde. By Sudipto De
1. EMIRATES GOLF CLUB
Named after the Arabic word for ‘Meeting Place,’ the Majlis Course at the Emirates Golf Club is a 7,000-yard plus behemoth piece of land. Built on the edge of the metropolis of Dubai and designed by Florida-based architect Karl Litten, it carefully wraps around original desert flora and the iconic Majlis building between the 8th & 9th holes. A course for serious golfers, with lightning-fast greens and seven lakes, which double up as water hazards, beware of the par-4 eighth hole, which needs quite an accurate shot. Although the course will force you to concentrate hard on your shots, do not forget to take in the majestic views of the Dubai skyline along the way.
GREEN FEE including CART HIRE & RANGE BALLS FOR PRACTICE: 500-900 AED (Weekdays) 1,000 AED (weekends) – INR 10,000-20,000.
2. ROYAL GREENS GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB, SAUDI ARABIA
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Located a couple of hours drive away from the capital city of Jeddah, the Royal Greens Golf & Country Club is part of the King Abdullah Economic city – a gigantic Oasis in the middle of the Arabian desert. Framed against the picturesque Red Sea, the play is quite influenced by the sea winds, which can make even a perfectly placed shot go awry. Notable holes include the 470 yarder 6th, one of the toughest par 4s on the course along with the 15th, whose green is located quite close to the beach.
Fee: 475-625 SR (INR 9,500-12,500).
3. NOFA GOLF RESORT, SA
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The Nofa Golf resort probably offers the best opportunities for your non-golfing family to enjoy. Along with an almost 7,000-yard course dotted with aquatic obstacles all along the way, it features the King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud Equestrian centre and stud farm along a racetrack, polo field, show jumping arena and more than 200 horses. There’s also a wildlife Safari park nearby, perfect for the children to explore African wildlife.
Fee: 150-350 SR (INR 3,000-7,000).
4. ROYAL GOLF CLUB, BAHRAIN
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Designed by legendary golf designer Colin Montgomerie, the championship course offers a unique blend of links and desert golf. Set against Bahrain’s tough desert terrain, the feel is retained through the use of indigenous vegetation punctuated by man-made lakes and sandy waste bunkers. The Ritz Carlton offers the perfect place to relax after a game of golf; laze away your time at the Royal Beach Club right next to a private beach. The back nine of the course are floodlit.
Green Fee: The Championship Course 60 BD for 18 holes (INR 11,700).
Wee Monty Course: 15 BD for par 3 9 holes (INR 3,000).
5. AL MOUJ GOLF at The Wave, MUSCAT, SULTANATE OF OMAN
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Bordering along the Gulf of Oman, Al Mouj Golf‘s Championship course sits perfectly on your Middle East Golfing sojourn, flanked by the Indian Ocean on one side and the stunning Hajjar mountain range on the other. Designed by Greg Norman, the toughest hole is ninth with the greenside bunkers while the fourth is a stunning par-3 set against the azure blue of the sea.
Green Fee: OMR 25-50 (INR 5,000-10,000).
6. THE ADDRESS MONTGOMERIE, DUBAI
Another Colin Montgomerie creation, but this time in Dubai. A gigantic 265-acre open, expansive course set up against the glittering Dubai skyline, it portrays the classic ‘Scottish links meet the Arabian Desert’. The 13th hole stands out, located on a gigantic bean-shaped island, which was earlier made out in the shape of the Emirates itself. After finishing your round, head to Monty’s that offers a scenic view of the hole through it’s ceiling-to-floor glass windows while sipping on some hand-crafted cocktails.
Fee: 800-840 AED (INR 16,000).
Troon manages a plethora of golf courses around the world including the Middle East and offers amazing discounts at multiple golf courses. The Troon Abu Dhabi Pro-Am gives amateur golfers a chance to experience the best of golf hospitality in the UAE.
7. YAS LINKS, ABU DHABI
Bordered by the Arabian coastline, a Formula One Race Course and a theme park along with it, the Yas Links stands within top 50 in the world rankings. Designed by Kyle Phillips, with an undulating landscape quite similar to those in Great Britain, it is considered as the Middle East’s first true Links course. With fast greens that test the short game and the finishing three holes that offer quite a bit of challenge, especially the par 5 646 yarder 18th, the Yas Links Abu Dhabi brings out the best of your game. With an Andalusian styled clubhouse, all-day dining Hickory’s and Matsu, and a fine-dine Japanese restaurant, you’ll be spoilt for culinary choices here. The club also features a unique ‘Toptracer’ facility allowing you to virtually track your shots.
Green Fee: 700-800 AED (INR 14,000-16,000).
TOP TRACER AED 100 (INR 2,000).
8. DOHA GOLF CLUB, QATAR
A quintessential desert course, the championship course at Doha Golf Club is a gigantic 7374 yards. Even though it is made for the big-hitting pros, there are plenty of forwarding tees for amateurs to choose from. The course is quite varied with natural rock formations and water hazards present amidst the quintessential sand bunkers and quite a few cacti. The par 5 9th hole is the longest of the lot, measuring a whopping 639 yards from the tips. In addition to this, there’s a 9-hole floodlit course that offers a stunning view of the West Bay Lagoon.
Fee: 500 Qatari Riyal (INR 9,000).
9. AYLA GOLF CLUB, JORDAN
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The gulf of Aqaba is located at quite an envious location, right at the tip of the Red Sea, wedged between the Sinai and Arabian peninsula. Along with a Yacht club & Marina, the Ayla Golf Club is part of a waterfront extravaganza. The course features quite a few aquatic hazards including four lakes and six ponds, challenging golfers at more than half the holes.
Fee: 75-100 Jordanian Dinar (INR 7,500-10,000).
Both Etihad and Emirates offer unique Golf programmes, which allows you to ship your club set over for your holiday without any extra charges.
