The Golf Club put Dubai on the golfing map in 1988 as it opened the first grass golf course in the Middle East. One year later the Dubai Desert Classic brought the European Tour to the UAE and sparked the regional growth of golf courses and professional tour events from Abu Dhabi to Ras Al Khaimah. The likes of Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and Dustin Johnson have graced the world class fairways and greens around the region. The HSBC Championship became a Rolex Series event in 2019 and now joins The DP World Tour Championship as a flagship tournament in The Race to Dubai Rankings. This guide contains all the information you need to know about the best courses in Dubai.
Emirates Golf Club, Majlis Course
Dubai, United Arab Emirates | 4.5 Stars | Website
Length: – Back tees: 7319 – Front tees: 5568
Par: 72 Architect: Karl Litten Founded: 1988 Course type: Links style
The Majlis Course at Emirates Golf Club is ranked fifth. The Majlis Course is the first grass golf course in the Middle East and it is built on the dunes on the outskirts of Dubai. Golf GameBook’s users have played 4,850 rounds at this club this year. Top-class club facilities and a wide range of services including accommodation, gyms, restaurants and bars are available next to the course.
Both the facilities and the service are rated highly by our users, 4.6/5 points. Users praise the course experience in the reviews. The condition of the course is rated 4.4/5 by our users and the value for money 4.3/5. It is clear that you are in for a unique experience!
“The best golf course design in the Middle East without question. They just don’t make them like this anymore! Plenty of dog legs for risk and reward, reachable par 5’s at a stretch, variety of green sizes, shapes and undulations, and the best finishing holes on the European Tour schedule. BOOM!”
“Well, this would probably not be a European Tour course if it would not be a great course. The green fee for walk-in customers is a bit on the high side, but you get to play a great course and enjoy nice facilities. During our round the wind was quite strong, requiring 2-3 clubs more to reach the distances in headwind, also giving some headaches when navigating some of the par 3s. But even with the wind, the overall experience was very positive and given the possibility, I’ll surely return to play again.”
“One of my top 3 courses in the world.”
Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club
Dubai, United Arab Emirates | 4.6 Stars | Website
Length: – Back tees: 6967 – Front tees: 5325
Par: 71
Architect: Karl Litten
Founded: 1993
Course type: desert style
We stay in Dubai but move towards Dubai Creek where the third course, Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, is located. On this course, Golf GameBook has been used on 850 rounds this year. The course is watery as it runs along Dubai Creek and also has some water hazards. So it pays to keep your tongue-in-cheek when hitting the ball. Although challenging, it is praised by players as one of the best courses in Dubai.
The service is rated 4.7/5 by our users. The club facilities also score high, 4.6/5. The course is well maintained and users rate the condition of the course 4.5/5. Value for money is also perceived as good, with users rating it at 4.5/5. So overall, great points for this gem!
“Beautiful course.“
“Best I’ve ever played!”
“One of the best courses in the UAE, very well maintained and great service!”
Trump International Golf Club Dubai
Dubai, United Arab Emirates | 4.6 Stars | Website
Length: – Back tees: 7229 – Front tees: 5119
Par: 71
Architect: Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner
Founded: 2017
Course type: Links style
With one of the largest clubhouses in Dubai, the 30,000 square foot work of art can be seen protruding from the skyline in the heart of the Damac Hills. Designed by Gil Hanse, an Olympic golf architect, he has allowed the Trump International course to excel everyone’s prior expectations and has certainly not held back on imagination.
The man-made championship course does not at all look out of place in the desert wasteland, and as you approach the first tee you become confronted with a huge double fairway. Miss here and you may want to retire early.
The Els Club
Dubai, United Arab Emirates | 4.6 Stars | Website
Length: – Back tees: 7538 – Front tees: 5343
Par: 72
Architect: Earnie Els
Founded: 2007
Course type: Desert style
If you’re looking for your next course challenge, this is the one for you! Designed by Ernie Els, the course is a masterpiece in course design. Meticulously planned course features are blended with features from Els’ favorite courses around the world. The course is a links course realized in a desert landscape. That’s why it’s also known as the desert links.
1,800 rounds have been played at The Els Club with the Golf GameBook this year. The service here is excellent, 4.8/5. The club facilities are also rated highly, 4.7/5. The course is in good condition and users give it a score of 4.6/5. Here you also get good value for money, 4.4/5.
“One of the most challenging courses in Dubai with open fairways but difficult approach shots and tricky greens. Several fairway and green bunkers. Good players will love the challenge!”
“This is a difficult but beautiful golf course.“
Jumeirah Golf Estates, Earth Course
Dubai, United Arab Emirates | 4.6 Stars | Website
Length: – Back tees: 7706 – Front tees: 5435
Par: 72
Architect: Greg Norman and Tad Burnett
Founded: 2009
Course type: Parkland
In fourth place, we have the Earth Course from Jumeirah Golf Estates which hosts the famous DP World Tour Championships. The parkland landscapes of Europe and North America have been the inspiration for this course. Golf GameBook has been used in over 3,300 rounds here this year.
Users rate the club facilities with a score of 4.7/5 and the service with a score of 4.6/5. The condition of the course is rated with 4.5/5 points and value for money with 4.4/5 points.
“The Earth Course at JGE is top notch, for competent golfers or if you want a serious challenge, lots of fun (or suffering).”
Montgomerie Golf Club Dubai – The Address
Dubai, United Arab Emirates | 4.4 Stars | Website
Length: – Back tees: 7308 – Front tees: 5401
Par: 72
Architect: Colin Montgomerie and Desmond Muirhead
Founded: 2002
Course type: Links style
On 265 acres of terrain lies man-made lakes, a vast area of landscaped gardens and the 18-holes that make up the Montgomerie. The expansive course has been given the magical and somewhat obscure architectural touch by Desmond Muirhead. Look out for the 13th hole where the green is shaped like the UAE, quite the addition to the already imaginative layout. The clubhouse is also an added feature with over 20 guest rooms and a pool for those off-course luxuries.
Dubai Hills Golf Club
Dubai, United Arab Emirates | 4.5 Stars | Website
Length: -Back tees: 7283 -Front tees: 5130
Par: 72
Architect: European Golf Design and Troon Golf.
Founded: 2018
Designer: Gary Johnston
Course type: Desert style
One of the most iconic golf destinations in Dubai, Dubai Hills Golf Club, lands on the fifth place. The course is praised by users for its top condition, 4.7/5 points. The layout of the course follows the natural topography of the area. Both skill and game strategy are tested here.
Dubai Hills Golf Club is not far from Downtown Dubai, only 15-minute drive. It’s managed by Troon Golf, known for its extraordinary guest and member experiences. So it’s not surprising that the service and club facilities are rated 4.5/5 by our users. A total of 940 rounds have been played here with Golf GameBook this year. You also get good value for money here, 4.5/5 points.
“Fantastic course and offers a challenge for all golfers with bunker placement and pin positions.”
Al Zorah Golf Club
Ajman, United Arab Emirates | 4.4 Stars | Website
The following course is located in the city of Ajman. Many users praise this course as one of the best golf courses in Dubai. The tide affects the water level around the course, which is an experience in itself. The course is beautiful and is lined with mangrove trees and beautiful rolling landscapes.
Users rate the condition of the course with 4.8/5 points, which is the highest score for the course condition in this listing. Value for money also lands high at 4.8/5. Service scores 4.5/5. What the club facilities lose out on in points seems to be made up for by the rest of the golf experience. The club facilities score 3.8/5 by our users. 680 rounds have been played here with Golf GameBook this year.
“The course is lined with natural mangroves and set in a scenic canvas. Some of the best greens in the UAE.”
“A gem!”
“The best courses in Dubai when it comes to value for money. Always in good condition.”
Arabian Ranches Golf Club
Dubai, United Arab Emirates | 4.0 Stars | Website
Length: – Back tees: 7086 – Front tees: 5226
Par: 72
Architect: Nicklaus, Ian Baker-Finch, and Peter Harradine
Founded: 2004
Course type: Desert style
golf. Miss the fairway and you’ll end up in the natural desert landscape that surrounds the course. There is both sand and desert vegetation.
During this year, approximately 680 rounds have been played here with the Golf Game Book. The club facilities are rated 4.1/5 by users and the service 4/5 points. Also, value for money is scored by users at 4/5 and the condition of the course is rated at 3.8/5.
“Have enjoyed every time I have played here. It is unusual that the sand outside is not a hazard, but adds to the unique nature of this course. Would love to play here again.”
“The greens were renewed in 2019 and are now starting to be in good condition. If you want to see sand in the desert, Arabian Ranches is the right place”
