Golf
Dubai is the center of golfing in the Arab world. Despite the arid conditions, courses are kept in immaculate condition and are appreciated for their lush green contrast to the rest of the landscape. Weather is suitable for playing golf almost year-round, and in the hotter months, even night golf is an option. Interest in the sport is high, spurred by tournaments like the Dubai Desert Classic, Mena Golf, and DP World Tours. Tiger Woods, Ernie Els, Colin Montgomerie, and Nick Faldo are just four professional golfers who have designed courses in Dubai, which can only improve the status of the sport here in the future.
Al Badia Golf Club. Al Badia (previously known as Four Seasons Golf Club) opened in 2005. It is a par-72, 7,303-yard course with desert oasis theme, designed by Robert Trent Jones II. Sand provides "wadi"-style hazards, and there are ample lakes and water features. Views across the bunkers and water traps provide plenty of chances to check out the Dubai skyscraper skyline. The golf academy has Motional Analysis by TaylorMade (MATT) and Science and Motion PuttLab systems to analyze all aspects of your game. Al Badia Blvd., Dubai Festival City, The South Bank, Dubai, Dubai. 4/601–0101; www.albadiagolfclub.ae. From AED250 for an off-peak twilight session, topping out at AED795 at peak.
Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club. The Dubai Creek golf club has a par-71, 6,857-yard course spread out along the Dubai Creek and is home to the iconic tee-pee-shape clubhouse seen on nearly every Dubai tourism video.. The degree of difficulty is partly psychological, because the final holes are squeezed between the water and punishing bunkers. The academy offers the V1 Golf Swing Analysis system and the Trackman radar plotting system to improve your game. There is also a 9-hole par-3 course, excellent for very hot days or less experienced players. Baniyas Rd., Garhoud, Deira, Dubai, Dubai. 4/295–6000; www.dubaigolf.com. AED375, off-peak to more than AED800 over peak times.
Emirates Golf Club. This golf club is home to the Dubai Desert Classic and Ladies Masters, and is one of the oldest in Dubai. You can take your pick of their flagship "Majlis course," with saltwater lakes and native desert flora, or the "Faldo course," which, you guessed it, was designed by Nick Faldo. This is the closest golf club to all the Jumeirah and Dubai Marina hotels, and definitely world class. The academy at Emirates Golf Club is run in association with Peter Cowen. Emirates Hills 2, Burj Dubai, Dubai, Dubai. 4/417--9999; www.dubaigolf.com. From AED600 for Faldo off-peak, through to AED1200 for Majlis course at peak time.
Jumeirah Golf Estates. This is a residential development designed around a Greg Norman pair of golf courses named Earth and Fire (yes, Wind and Water are still in the pipeline, with the assistance of Vijay Singh, Sergio Garcia, and Pete Dye). Earth is the home of the DP World Tour, and the last four holes are described by Norman himself as the "most challenging mile in golf." The club is situated some miles in toward the desert, and this, combined with the carefully selected flora and brilliant sands of the bunkers, makes it one of the most beautiful courses in Dubai. Jumeirah Golf Estates, Burj Dubai, Dubai, Dubai. 4/818--2000; www.jumeirahgolfestates.com/club. From AED395 for summer twilight round, up to AED895 at peak times.
The Montgomerie Dubai. The Montgomerie Dubai is situated in the calm residential district of Emirates Hills. Professional Colin Montgomerie and his collaborator Desmond Muirhead created this links-style course in the desert, achieved by interspersing slim fairways with 11 man-made lakes. Some love the quirky design, which includes the UAE-shaped hole 13. Quirkier still is the introduction of "footgolf," which utilizes a soccer ball on the par-3 course. The 18-hole par-72 course has lengths of between 5,404 yards and 7,308 yards depending on degree of difficulty. Emirates Hills, Burj Dubai, Dubai, Dubai. 4/390–5600; www.themontgomerie.com. Rates from AED400 for twilight game in summer, through to AED925 at peak times.
The Track, Meydan Golf. The Track is one of Dubai's newest golf courses, and it definitely fills a niche that has been missing in the city. It's only 9-hole, but has the benefit of being a pay-as-you-play course, and the rates are the lowest you'll find. More experienced players can take advantage of the full 3,700 yard course, but varying tee lengths mean that beginners can drop this to 2,690. This course is open late (until 11 pm). Al Meydan Rd., Nad Al Sheba 1, Burj Dubai, Dubai, Dubai. 4/381--3733; www.meydangolf.com. AED150 for 9 holes, many offers for multiplay available.
