Abu Dhabi – The Courses You Need to Add to Your All Square World Map
All Square 3min read •
11 Dec 2017
To golf fans all over Europe, and indeed the world in general, Abu Dhabi is a special place. Why? Well, because it means the beginning of a new year of European Tour golf!
The capital of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi is a thriving and advanced metropolis, with some truly astounding and spectacular architecture. The skyscraper-studded skyline is also home to some of the most exciting sporting events on the planet, including the Formula 1 Grand Prix, and the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the European Tour.
Surrounded by a seemingly endless expanse of sand, Abu Dhabi’s ever-expanding collection of championship courses stand-out like perfect lush oases. No wonder the city has quickly arisen to become one of the world’s most exciting golf destinations.
Taking a trip to Abu Dhabi soon? Here is a guide to the places you’ve got to play!
Abu Dhabi Golf Club
Host to the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, Abu Dhabi Golf Club is a marvel in golf course design. The season opener regularly draws the world’s best players, including a maiden appearance from Dustin Johnson this year. The best thing about this 27-hole golf complex is that it’s playable for all golfers. The pro’s may face a challenge, but generous landing areas and large greens make it fun for mere mortals too. With temperatures often climbing to 40°C in the searing summer months, Abu Dhabi GC have come up with the perfect solution. Night golf! Flood lights bathing the course in perfect illumination, meaning the fun can continue long after the sun has set.
Saadiyat Beach Golf Club
The Gulf’s first ocean course, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club is located just minutes from the city. Gary Player designed this wonderful course, which plays annual host to the Ladies European Tour. The South African golf legend has created a course packed with character. Overlooking the azure waters of the Arabian Gulf, the par-72 weaves its way around no less than nine 5-star hotels. The perfect blue waters and white sands of the gulf frame this course beautifully. If you’re lucky you may even get a glimpse of the dolphins, mountain gazelles, and hawksbill turtles, that make their home here. Each hole has its own memorable features and unique challenges. This is not a course you’ll forget quickly.
Yas Links Golf Club
From one first of a kind to another, Yas Links by Kyle Phillips, was the first links course in the Middle East. What you have here is something that Phillips has become synonymous with, a great modern links with true acknowledgement of the traditions of golf. This is a thoroughly enjoyable golf course that will leave golfers of all levels smiling as they walk from the final green to the luxurious clubhouse. It is a course for the purists. The complex also has great practice facilities, as do the two courses mentioned above too. Playing this course will make you reminisce of some of the best links courses in the UK, well apart from the weather that is.
Although Abu Dhabi may be a relative newcomer to the golf scene, these courses are world-renowned. It is truly impressive how quickly this region has built a reputation for great golf facilities. More great courses are sure to be crafted in this region in the future. The future for golf is bright in Abu Dhabi.
