Most people make the mistake of treating United Arab Emirates, particularly Dubai & Abu Dhabi, as only an extremely rewarding luxury holiday destination. We are not saying they are absolutely wrong but it’s just a partial truth.
The UAE is a captivating holiday destination with so many hidden secrets, one of those secrets being the incredible golf courses on offer.
Although the country majorly flaunts its expansive desert and barren lands but both Dubai and Abu Dhabi have crafted a special niche in the heart of sport enthusiasts with its diverse sport facilities. Golf courses here are carved out of once barren desert land and also along the fabulous coastlines. The diversity that Abu Dhabi Golf Courses offer is unparalleled.
Today we have some great news for golf lovers. We are going to introduce the most beloved and 5 best golf courses from Abu Dhabi. We have already done the same for Dubai’s golf courses and now it’s time to take you to the immersive golfing arenas in Abu Dhabi.
1. Yas Links
On the west shore of Yas Island, lies the most spectacular and dynamic golf course in Abu Dhabi, the Yas Links.
This award-winning golf course is a masterpiece created by Kyle Philips in 2010 on the face of Abu Dhabi’s multi-billion dollar project site Yas Island. Kyle Philips being one of the world’s eminent golf course architects, has designed the only true links course in UAE that gives a similar taste of courses from the coastal towns of Ireland and Scotland.
Yas Link features a par-72 golf course with 18 holes over a paspalum grass field. Spreading across an area of about 7,450 yards, it offers five tee positions at every hole. Three of the four short holes, number 8, 13 and 17 on the card, are sitting right against the jaw-dropping coastline of the island.
This 18 hole course allows golfers to test their golfing skills and abilities through several challenges. The 9 hole par 3 course along with the practice facilities are just perfect to fit any level of golfing abilities. Academy course is fully floodlit. This tricky little design makes Yas Links suitable for experienced golfers as well as complete beginners.
One of the most fascinating factors behind the immense popularity of Yas Links is its natural setup that gives a glimpse of land, water and glistening greenery. If you take a look around this golf course, you are bound to get astonished at the beauty of this place.
The beautiful clubhouse of Yas Links is set along the edge of the shoreline. Dramatic views of the clubhouse right against the Arabian Sea makes your dining experience or events more alluring.
Yas Links Club Facilities
Yas Links allow their members and visitors to enjoy the following facilities offered by the club authority –
- Valet Parking
- Locker room
- Golf shop
- Power cart
- Practice facility
- Golf club
- Driving range
- Chipping area
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Swimming pool
- Conference room
- Toptracer Range technology
- Pull cart hire
- Wi-Fi
Pricing
Tee Time cost for one person ranges between AED 250 – AED 550. This cost covers 18 holes and two tee start.
Timings
Yas Links remains open from 6.30 AM to 11.30 PM every day. Tee time starts daily from 7.00 AM. Last tee off time is at 8.30 PM.
Closure Dates
There is as such no specific Closure Dates.
Dress Code
It is recommended to stick to appropriate golf attire while visiting Yas Links. It is best to avoid anything offensive or too revealing outfits at any reputed golf course in the world including this one.
Cancellation Policy
If you cancel your booking with Yas Links 48 hours before the tee time, you will receive a full refund. If your cancellation request is placed any time less than 48 hours before the tee time or you failed to show up on time, there will be no refund.
Yas Links Location
Yas Links golf course is situated near the Yas Marina Circuit on the western coastline of Yas Island. The golf course is well-signposted so that you can reach here from anywhere in Abu Dhabi without any trouble.
Rating
Yas Links Abu Dhabi golf course secures a 4.5/5.0 rating on TripAdvisor.
2. Abu Dhabi Golf Club
There are few courses as memorable as Abu Dhabi Golf Club across the Middle East.
Established in 2000, this golf club instantly became a sensation particularly because of the scarcity of world-class golfing arenas in the region. “As oasis of tranquillity carved out of the desert” is how this stunning golf course is often described and it’s absolutely correct!
Abu Dhabi Golf Club is a place where mystique of traditional Arab world meets the modern and cosmopolitan side of the city. What makes this place visually splendid is the iconic clubhouse built in shape of a giant falcon with its wings outstretched.
It was Peter Harradine who designed this golf course in Abu Dhabi and construction work of the clubhouse started in 1995. Within just five years, the city got its most precious and prestigious golf club with 27 holes.
Spread across a massive land area of 162 hectares, this is a par-72 course offering 27 championship holes in golf. Dotted with ornamentals plants and palm trees, Abu Dhabi Golf Club features as many as seven saltwater lakes within its golfing area. This creates a beautiful backdrop to enjoy while showing your golfing skill to the world.
Strategical placement of bunkers and waterbodies at Abu Dhabi Golf Club makes it more challenging to take that perfect shot. If this sounds too much of your golf skill, there is a more flat and less challenging par-36 course and a 9-hole floodlit garden course for you.
This place is certainly one of the best places in the Middle East or luxurious golf resort experience with lakes, manicured lawns and a fascinating falcon shaped clubhouse. Altogether, Abu Dhabi Golf Club is meant to enjoy a sheer relaxed ambience without any effort from your side.
Abu Dhabi Golf Club Facilities
Here are the facilities that you can expect at Abu Dhabi Golf Club –
- Accommodation in resort
- Chipping area
- Putting green
- Compact course
- Practice course
- Floodlit course at night
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Pro shop
- Swimming pool
- Locker room
- Trolley and golf clubs on hire
- Power cart
- Gym
- Sqaush court
Pricing
Playing at Abu Dhabi Golf Club will cost you around AED 400 – AED 600 per individual. This cost included charge for 18 holes, shared golf cart, a bottle of drinking water, GPS and unlimited driving range balls.
Timings
The club remains open from 6.00 AM to 11.30 PM on all days of week.
Closure Dates
There are no official closure dates for the Abu Dhabi Golf Club.
Dress Code
The golf club has a strict dress code for the visitors and members too. Golf shirts and blouse, golf trousers, shorts and skirts are allowed. Dress shirts, denim, athletic wear, national dress and pool wear are not allowed.
Cancellation Policy
A full refund is guaranteed if you cancel your booking 48 hours prior to your tee time. There is no refund if you don’t show up or you cancel any time less than 48 hours before the tee time.
Abu Dhabi Golf Club Location
Abu Dhabi Golf Club is located at a short distance of 10 kilometres east from the city. Exact location is –
Abu Dhabi Golf Club, Khalifa City A, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Rating
Abu Dhabi Golf Club received a 4.5/5.0 rating on TripAdvisor with more than 370 reviews.
Staying at Abu Dhabi Golf Course
For keen golfers who wish to make the most of the course, we recommend staying at The Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa which is situated at the course.
3. Saadiyat Beach Golf Club
Just like Dubai, Abu Dhabi doesn’t deprive you from enjoying spectacular views of some gorgeous beaches.
If you are someone with an equal love for sea and golf, then Saadiyat Beach Golf Club should be your dream destination.
Set on the Saadiyat Island, to the north-east of downtown Abu Dhabi, this beautiful golf course will blow your mind with captivating views apart from the game itself.
Designed by the golfing legend, Gary Player, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club is a breath-taking par 72 course which also claims to be the first beachfront course in the Arabian Gulf. It is not at all unnatural to spot white-sand beaches or dolphins playing in the water in between your shots at this amazing course.
Opened in 2010, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club covers a vast area of 7,806 yards to enjoy more challenging shots. It includes five tee positions offering a platform for all playing abilities. The whole area features 18 holes paired with Bermuda grass. Strategically placed 60 bunkers add more challenges so that players can have a more electric golfing experience.
In order to create a golfing ground in tune with stringent environment protection guidelines, this award-winning beach golf club has made room for lush greenery, saltwater lakes, sand dunes, pristine beach and indigenous wildlife including hawksbill turtles, dolphins and mountain gazelles.
Each year, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club becomes the ‘talk of the town’ because of the Saadiyat Beach Classic hosted by Gary Player. The course also prepares its stage for the Ladies European Tour event every year since 2016.
Saadiyat Golf Club Facilities
Visitors can enjoy a bunch of club facilities once they decide to book their tee time at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club. Here are the list of facilities you can expect there.
- Parking area
- Driving range
- Putting green
- Chipping area
- Practice facility
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Location for celebrations or corporate events
- Golf shop
- Locker room
- Buggy, trolley and golf clubs for hire
Pricing
Tee time slot doesn’t come cheap at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club. The average Tee Time cost for one person ranges between AED 400 – AED 650. It includes 18 holes, shared golf cart, a bottle of drinking water, unlimited driving range balls and GPS.
Timings
The club opens at 8.00 AM and closes its door at 11.30 PM from Sunday to Friday. Saturday timing is from 8.00 AM to 12.00 AM.
Closure Dates
There is no closure date mentioned by the club authority.
Dress Code
Appropriate golf attire is mandatory for all players, when practicing or playing. In the clubhouse, men must don tailored trousers or shorts, T-shirts with collars and sleeves must be worn inside the trousers or shorts and Golf shoes with soft spikes or flat-soled training shoes.
For ladies, they recommend golf shirts or blouses, golf trousers, shorts or skirts and golf shoes with soft spikes or flat-soled training shoes.
Cancellation Policy
You are eligible to get 100% refund if you cancel 48 hours prior to confirmed tee-time. If the booking is cancelled or the number of players reduced or there is a no show within 48 hours or less of the tee time booked, there will be no refund.
Saadiyat Beach Golf Club Location
It is a short road journey of 10 kilometres from Abu Dhabi to reach Saadiyat Beach Golf Club. Address of this golf course is –
Saadiyat Island, Sheikh Khalifa Highway, E12, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Rating
With over 300 reviews, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club received a 4.5/5.0 rating on TripAdvisor.
4. Abu Dhabi City Golf Club
One of the best things about golf in Abu Dhabi is that you don’t even need to venture out of the city to find a course!
Nestled right in the heart of the city, this is probably the best place to hangout with your tee buddies after a busy week or a business meet. Thanks to floodlit course area, this club allows tee times till 9.00 PM at night.
The Abu Dhabi City Golf Club began its journey in 1976 as the Abu Dhabi Golf & Equestrian Club. This was an 18-hole sand course for 22 years. Then it was transformed into a world-class Bermuda grass course, being the first in Abu Dhabi.
Spreading over 3,199 yards of beautiful landscape and designed by eminent British golf course designer Ian Scott Taylor, Abu Dhabi City Golf Club entertained thousands of golf enthusiasts with its tricky yet pleasurable nine holes course. The length of the course might seem shorter to some but it’s never less challenging.
Abu Dhabi City Golf Club is highly popular among city dwellers because of its specialist last three holes. Playing at this golf club always comes out as a rewarding session at one of the best urban courses in the world.
Abu Dhabi City Golf Club Facilities
When you book your tee time with Abu Dhabi City Golf Club, you are eligible to access the following club facilities.
- Parking space
- Locker room
- Driving range
- Swimming pool
- Putting area
- Chipping area
- Practice facility
- Floodlit course (night golfing)
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Event locations
- Health club
- Power cart
- Golf clubs for hire
Pricing
Compared to other golf courses, tee time charge at Abu Dhabi City Golf Club is much cheaper. It costs around AED 99 – AED 225 for one person. This cost includes9 or 18 holes (as per the selection), a bottle of drinking water, shared golf cart, 4 ball policy and GPS tracking.
Timings
Operational hour is 5.30 AM – 12.00 AM every day.
Closure Dates
There is no closure date specified by club authority.
Dress Code
The club comes with a specific dress code which is collared shirt with denim. It is advised to flaunt golf shoes with soft spikes or flat-soled training shoes for comfortable moves on the ground.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation done 24 hours before the booked tee time will allow full refund of the booking amount. There is no refund for cancellation done less than 24 hours before tee time or no show up.
Abu Dhabi City Golf Club Location
Abu Dhabi City Golf Club, Al Mushrif Area, 19th Street, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Rating
This urban golf course shows a 4.0/5.0 rating on TripAdvisor.
5. Al Ghazal Golf Club
This golf course is nothing like you have ever seen or imagined about the game.
Al Ghazal Golf Club is a precious but hidden gem in Abu Dhabi’s impressive golfing scene. This place combines everything from green fairways to smooth sand and tricky holes to enchanting views.
This 6,711 yards golf club was opened for public in the year 1997. Al Ghazal is an 18 hole golf course with a par 71 and white tees. This means, this is a wonderful playground to novice and experienced golfers to try their best shots.
The front nine holes (par 35) are based in and around an archaeological site with a beautiful coastline. The book nine (par 36) is surely a tough challenge to overcome while players need to put special attention to avoid waterbodies on the 11th and 17th.
Al Ghazal is a sustainable golf course where you need to use a piece of artificial grass while hitting from the fairways. The landscape is brown here which is achieved by compacting and rolling the treated sand. This gives an extremely reliable putting surface and something completely unique and challenging for golf enthusiasts.
Apart from unique golfing experience, Al Ghazal Golf Club ensures that you enjoy their variety of food and beverage that includes some delicious Korean and Brazilian cuisines. The club authority has created other exciting sports too so that even non-golfers can have a good time here.
Al Ghazal Golf Club Facilities
A wide range of sports facilities and essential amenities are available here for members and non-members. These are –
- Parking
- Driving range
- Basketball court
- Baseball
- Cricket
- Golf simulation room
- Tennis court
- Table tennis
- Football pitch
- Sports bar
- Cycling course
- Spa
- Restaurant
Pricing
Green Fees for one person can be anything between AED 120 to AED 250 that includes shared Buggy, bottled water, Astroturf Mat rental and 5% VAT.
Timings
Every day from 7.00 AM to 12.00 AM.
Closure Dates
There is no closure date mentioned in the official site.
Dress Code
It is recommended to wear golf attire and right kind of golf shoes. Avoid wearing anything offensive or casuals while entering the premises.
Cancellation Policy
Get in touch with them for any query related to cancellation. You can get the e-mail ID and telephone numbers here.
Al Ghazal Golf Club Location
Al Ghazal Golf Club, Terminal 2, Airport Area, Near Abu Dhabi International Airport, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Rating
TripAdvisor rating for this golf club is 5.0/5.0. You can go through the reviews here.
Conclusion
Abu Dhabi is not going to disappoint any golf enthusiast. They have enough of world-class golf courses to take golfing scene to the next level. So, pick your favourite destination and enjoy a splendid tee time in the city.
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