SPECTACULAR GOLF IN DUBAI
THAILAND ONE/ GOLF
DUBAI
HILLS
EMIRATES GOLF CLUB, MAJILIS COURSE
F IRST up was one of the newest additions to golf in Dubai where we played the beautiful Dubai Hills. Designed by European Golf Design and managed by Troon Golf it offers a challenge to golfers of all abilities. The course is carved out of the desert and has large contoured fairways that offer many strategic options. The greens are huge and undulating which can make things very tricky, especially if you get on the wrong side, we certainly had a few three putts along the way! Signature hole on the course has to be the par 5, 5th with the stunning Burj Kalifa dominating the backdrop offers the perfect line from the tee. In terms of degree of difficulty, I would put Dubai Hills as one of the less penal courses in the region. The wide fairways are also firm so for the average golfer they can receive a lot more run on their ball, making the approach shots that bit shorter. The undulating greens are probably the course’s biggest defence with the option to have some
T HIS has to be one of the most iconic golf courses on the planet. Host to the Dubai Desert Classic for 32 years it has firmly established itself as one the toughest courses on the DP World Tour. We attended the Desert Classic back in January and the course was in breathtaking condition with greens running at almost 13 on the stimp metre and rough literally up to your ankles! We returned in early March and we were not disappointed. The day we played the course was simply marvellous and the service was outstanding. Special mention has to be made for the staff in the Club’s, Jone’s the Grocer restaurant who recognised us from the week of the Desert Classic and even remembered our favourite smoothies! One of the many things I love about this place is that as you enter through the main doors of the Clubhouse, you are met with a winners’ wall, where each winner of the Desert Classic has their name on a plaque on the wall alongside one of their actual clubs used from that winning week. Former winners include Tiger Woods, Colin Montgomerie, Bryson DeChambeau and the man who inspired me to play golf, the late, great Seve Ballesteros. The driving range is massive and there is the option to hit from the manicured grass or from a mat. A large chipping green with a bunker also provides a good opportunity to warm up. Designed by Florida based architect, Karl Litten, the course has been sculpted through the dunes. The land the course sits on was donated by His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and his instructions were that the desert flora was maintained in its natural state.
seriously nasty pin positions.
As a result of this the course features hundreds of indigenous species of flora and fauna and also has 7 lakes to navigate. Almost every hole on the course has a challenging tee shot with fairways positioned at angles which make it extremely difficult to pick the correct line from the tee. Thankfully for us the rough had been cut back which were extremely thankful for as we were in it on several occasions. The greens were running true and fast and were actually quite receptive compared to the Desert Classic when they were rock hard. It’s hard to take your eyes off the stunning backdrop as you play, the Dubai skyline literally on the edge of the course make this a breathtaking experience. The signature hole is number 8 which has a very dramatic tee shot up the hill with skyscrapers aplenty to aim for. Again, yet another difficult tee shot as the longer the hitter you are, the more you can cut off the corner but for those who don’t quite make it, the desert and some well positioned bushes await. Hole 18 is probably one of the most dramatic finishing holes in the world with a dog leg left par 5 that offers a risk – reward situation with a second shot over water with the huge grandstands surrounding the green. Definitely a course you need to get on your bucket list, certainly not easy but well worth the experience where you can walk in the footsteps of some of the most iconic golfers to ever grace the game. — For more details and to book contact www.dubaigolf.com
The practice facilities at the course were excellent. They have 3 chipping / pitching greens, all with several bunkers surrounding them which gives you a great opportunity to hone your short game skills. The putting green is one of the largest I have ever seen which means there is always space to get some practice in even when the place is busy. The range itself was fairly spacious with the option for hitting from grass or mats. Overall, a lovely course to play, condition was perfect and the clubhouse had a great atmosphere with lots of golfers and non golfers enjoying the great food and drinks.
— For more details and to book, please contact www.dubaihillsgolfclub.com
Dubai Hills
16
17
THAILAND ONE
APRIL/ MAY 2024
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