By Kent Gray
A new entry in our 2020 Top 10 Courses in the Middle East ranking is irrefutable proof of two things: the list is not a closed club but only providing you prove your worth in a region that is home to one of the finest concentrations of golf on the planet.

But something has changed from the 2018 iteration. Rather than being a tough club to crack, the 2020 ranking proves it is now becoming increasingly difficult to hold station, or even remain in this elite collective altogether.

Like Doha Golf Club in 2018, Abu Dhabi Golf Club will sadly attest to that after slipping outside the 10 from what seemed a relatively safe eighth position in 2018. The disappearance of the European Tour venue and no place for elsewhere celebrated Dubai Hills Golf Club, among other notable omissions, will inevitably be met with incredulity in some quarters but speaks to the region’s quantity of quality. It also highlights the continual push for perfection by agronomy teams around the Middle East – even the slightest slip in playing conditions can see a club tumble given the high, region-wide quality of course design.

Indeed, just as the scoring is again incredibly tight inside the 10, those looking in from the outside aren’t doing so from any great distance. The Class of 2020 can’t say they haven’t been warned.

In short, the Middle East’s best courses remain extremely difficult to separate and just as tough to compare, borne out by a radically different Readers’ Choice Top 10 this time round; it’s not all gloom for Abu Dhabi and Dubai Hills.

The discrepancy is okay. There is nothing more subjective in golf that the apples versus pears ranking of courses; how do you measure a manicured hybrid of parkland and desert against a modern-day seaside layout, or an inland links wannabe for that matter? The most impartial way is with Golf Digest’s internationally trusted formula (explained overleaf). With new courses like Tiger Woods’ first Middle East creation in the pipeline, what is clear is that 2022 promises to be just as tough to judge, making the top 10 an even more coveted club of which to belong. How lucky we are to golf in the desert.

Meet the panel and how they ranked the courses
Check out the best in the Middle East
Readers’ Choice: Your favourites revealed
Top 10 Golf Courses in the Middle East 2018

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1) The Majlis, Emirates Golf Club 
2018 Ranking: 1 • Design: Karl Litten (1988)
Dubai, UAE • Par 72 • Yards 7,301 • Total Score 66.17

Khalid Yousuf on The Majlis, EGC
(UAE National Team stalwart)
For as long as I can remember, the Majlis Course at the Emirates Golf Club has been considered the pinnacle of golf course design in the Middle East. Karl Litten has done a fantastic job creating a true ‘gem’ in the desert, utilising the natural dune formation and topography at his disposal.

From the moment you stand on the 1st tee, you know you’re in for a treat. The course is challenging off the tee and doesn’t get any easier as you reach the green. Sharp run-offs and strategically located hazards protect the generously-sized greens from even the purest approach shots. The greens are relatively flat but by no means easy. Lightning-fast during the first few months of the year, the subtle breaks catch even the top European Tour players out, as witnessed during the Omega Dubai Desert Classic each year.

The standout hole has to be the 8th, a long, uphill par 4. A well-placed tee shot is key if you plan on attacking the well-protected putting surface. What makes this hole special though, is the view. Off the tee, you have the spectacular backdrop of the Dubai Marina and as you approach the green, you are greeted by a single ‘Majlis,’ a small teaser of what is to come. The perfect blend of the old and the new.

The inaugural Middle East Top 10 winner in 2009, the Majlis Course deservedly keeps its top spot from 2018. Always a pleasure to play, it keeps you wanting to come back for more.

Khalid Yousuf has played seven Eisenhower Trophy world amateur teams championships.

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2) Al Mouj Golf 
2018 Ranking: 3 • Design: Greg Norman (2012)
Muscat, Oman • Par 72 • Yards 7,300 • Total Score 65.00

Kent Gray on Al Mouj Golf
(Golf Digest Middle East Editor)
Eddie Pepperell calls it the “best course I’ve played in the Middle East”. The popular Englishman’s compatriot Chris Wood has been bowled over by the European Tour venue too. “It’s a bit of a mix between a links and a desert course. The design is really good and there are so many players saying the same things. It’s in perfect condition and the practice facilities are awesome.”

We can only concur with the high-profile assessment of Greg Norman’s Muscat gem which continues its giddy rise up the rankings. Just a 70-minute flight from Dubai, the 7342-yard, 18-hole championship course is Oman’s first links, a rugged, windswept brute of a layout which is as strategically challenging as it is beautiful. The outward nine features a pair of particularly memorable par 3s, the first to a partial island green, while any par on the 9th with its intimidating over-water tee shot and approach to a green guarded by the Gulf of Oman is to be celebrated. The excitement level – and shot-making examination – ratchet up on the homeward nine, particularly at the par-3 11th hole which plays directly out to sea, and at the 12th and 13th holes, a par-5 and par-3 combo that play adjacent to the coast and require as much to clever course management as they do pure ball striking. Then there’s the 18th, as picturesque – and daunting – a closing hole as you’ll anywhere in the region, a hole where every shot risks ending up wet.

Hugging a pristine two-kilometre stretch of Indian Ocean coastline and with the stunning Hajjar mountain range as it’s inshore backdrop, you’ll travel a long way to find a finer stay and play. There’s even a floodlit par-3 9-holer to get you in the mood. But don’t take our word for it. Listen to Pepperell, not a player prone to hyperbole. “It’s a must-play if you are ever in Oman.”

Kent Gray has been covering golf in the UAE since 2013 and has reported on the game globally since 1989.

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3) Yas Links Golf Club
2018 Ranking: 2 • Design: Kyle Phillips (2010)
Abu Dhabi, UAE • Par 72 • Yards 7,414 • Total Score 64.17

Simon Corkill on Yas Links GC
(Tournament Director)
When I first arrived in the UAE, I was told Yas Links Abu Dhabi was a ‘must play’. The recommendation wasn’t overstated. This is a truly enjoyable layout with a variety of holes that test golfers of all abilities. Every hole has its own unique challenges – hit the ball in the right spot and you get rewarded, miss and you’ll be faced with a tricky up and down to save par…or worse. What I loved about it was that you use every club in the bag, something that has always been my barometer for a stern golfing test. Luckily there wasn’t a strong breeze the day I played but I would imagine it would be tough in a blow. The beauty of this layout is that you have to shape shots both left and right and you have to be creative with your approach shots to get the ball close to the pin. Designer Kyle Phillips has created an absolute gem here and this course will only get better as time goes on. The setting and views are the other obvious selling point – only you and your clubs are in control of whether this is a walk spoiled or not! A clear favourite for well-ensconced expatriates, Yas Links is also a must for all visitors to the region.

Simon Corkill​ is the Executive Tournament Director for the Omega Dubai Desert Classic and LET’s Omega Dubai Moonlight Classic

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4) Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club
2018 Ranking: 4 • Design: Thomas Bjørn Redesign (1993)
Dubai, UAE • Par 71 • Yards 6,967 • Total Score 63.86

Danny Jakubowksi on ‘The Creek’
(PGA Professional)
Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club has stood the test of time with its iconic clubhouse, championship golf course and emphatic closing stretch of holes. The superbly conditioned layout, dramatic views and creative design lends itself to accurate and strategic driving, solid iron play and deft touch around the beautifully manicured green complexes.

One cannot be amiss to recognise some of the Middle East’s most memorable holes. The 6th with that often downright daunting tee shot that tests the golfer from an island tee box hanging over the water, and that magnificent closing stretch ready to measure a golfer’s mettle. Quite simply one poor shot over this stretch can easily result in a double bogey or worse. The once host of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic has long been a favourite location for both professional and amateurs golfers. With a Par 3 golf course, Golf Academy and mini-golf, it is more than just a championship golf course and definitely worth the visit. Offering sweeping city views, romantic waterside walks and that iconic clubhouse, Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club is a must for serious golfers, thoroughly memorable from start to finish.

Danny Jakubowski is the Group Director of Instruction at Abu Dhabi and Saadiyat Beach Golf Clubs.

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5) Saadiyat Beach Golf Club
2018 Ranking: 5 • Design: Gary Player (2010)
Abu Dhabi, UAE • Par 72 • Yards 7,806 • Total Score 63.50

Sujjan Singh on Saadiyat Beach GC
(PGA Professional)
The first thing that catches your attention at Saadiyat Beach are the gazelles gently ambling around this picturesque facility. Carts and balls whiz by as little deterrent to the four-legged local residents.

Gary Player’s links-style design is protected by deep bunkers and raised green complexes which call for precise iron play and a good short game. Leave yourself on the wrong half of the green and you could be faced with a long and very undulating putt. The breeze usually picks up in the afternoon and can become almost a three club wind on certain days. A number of the holes hug some of the Arabian Gulf’s bluest waters, only adding to the allure.

Each hole is memorable in its own right and the course conditions to a very high standard but choosing the correct tee boxes is essential to enjoy your round. After a relatively benign start, the challenge ramps up from the 3rd hole with the 5th and 6th being outstanding for both their views and difficulty. From the drivable par 4 10th to a closing stretch from the 15th, the back nine is as demanding as it is different. This is one course where a low handicapper will enjoy the shot-making opportunities and novice golfers the experience and the wonderful seaside views. I’d highly recommend Saadiyat Beach to any player looking for a challenging and enjoyable golfing experience in the Middle East.

Sujjan Singh is a former Asian Tour player and a serial winner on the UAE PGA Tour.

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6) Earth, Jumeirah Golf Estates
2018 Ranking: 6 • Design: Greg Norman (2009)
Dubai, UAE • Par 72 • Yards 7,675 • Total Score 63.09

Claudine Foong-Riggs on Earth, JGE
(Golf wellness and performance coach)
I love a great parkland-inspired course where you’re nestled in amongst trees, nature and greenery. The Earth layout at Jumeriah Golf Estates Earth is not your typical desert course, as each hole is surrounded by beautiful foliage.

Designed by Greg Norman, it’s home to the season-ending DP World Championship. This adds to the experience as many of us are used to seeing some of the world’s best walk the same fairways.

Each time I’ve been fortunate enough to play the Earth course, it has been in tremendous shape. Firm, fast fairways and big greens with tricky slopes can leave you guessing your line. Visually off the tee, it can look quite forgiving. Miss the fairway, however, and it can be challenging to recover if you happen to find yourself amongst the trees or the mulch.

The infamous 18th has created a lot of Race to Dubai drama over the years and it’s easy to see why when you play it. A meandering creek zigzags through the centre of the hole creating a risk-reward decision and a truly memorable finish.

The combination of nature and great course design makes Jumeirah Golf Estates’ Earth Course a layout you will enjoy playing time and time again.

Claudine Foong-Riggs is a former Symetra Tour pro and regular golf fitness contributor to Golf Digest Middle East.

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7) The Els Club, Dubai
2018 Ranking: 7 • Design: Ernie Els (2008)
Dubai, UAE • Par 72 • Yards 7,538 • Total Score 62.95

Robbie Greenfield on The Els Club
(Radio Host)
It’s a bane of modern golf, but celebrated designers often come with a healthy sadistic streak that they’re all too willing to unleash upon the general golfing populace. Island greens, winding creeks and enforced 250-yard carries off the tee may be meat and drink for your average tour pro but for the plucky weekend enthusiast, such layouts can be a soul-destroying journey through an industrial-sized quantity of golf balls.

This is why I love the Els Club. Eponymous designer Ernie Els, aside from being a legend of the game and an all-round good egg, understands that regular golfers just want to enjoy their day and emerge unscathed. But the beauty of this track is that while the Big Easy makes this simple philosophy his priority, the course itself is endlessly challenging.

Ernie’s objective with this course is to get you in play off the tee, then bamboozle you with some of the trickiest approach shots to be found anywhere in the UAE. The par 4 1st is a shining example of this. A generously wide fairway, followed by a second shot to a two-tiered green that will funnel all but the most accurately struck shots into one of the trademark swales that surround the putting surface.

At The Els Club, you’re typically in play, but you’re never in cruise control. And that’s what makes it an endlessly fascinating and enjoyable challenge. Over the past 11 years the course has matured like one of Ernie’s fine South African vintages, and its tremendous condition, which is maintained to immaculate standards all-year round, sets it apart. There are courses in the Middle East that command a higher profile, but few that provide as enjoyable a day out as The Els Club, Dubai.

Robbie Greenfield has been covering golf in the Middle East since 2005

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8) Al Zorah Golf Club
2018 Ranking: 9 • Design: Nicklaus Design (2015)
Ajman, UAE • Par 72 • Yards 7,169 • Total Score 62.51

Darren King on Al Zorah GC
(Golf Sales Manager)
Playing Al Zorah Golf Club reminds me why I love golf so much. The much talked about tidal flow system was peaking as I drove my cart out onto the course for the first time and seeing all those mangroves made me feel a million miles away from the hectic existence that the UAE often presents. The energy and tranquility is unrivalled.

The course has earned the right to be regarded as elite and right up there with the premier facilities in the UAE that receive continual global recognition. Its condition rivals anything that I have played around the world which is a credit to AZGC’s agronomy team. Every time I make my way down to this gem in Ajman, it honestly feels like they have prepared the course for an international tournament. It is consistently world class every time. The par 3s as a quartet are memorable and in my opinion up there with the finest in this part of the world. Holes 15 and 17 are nothing short of spectacular especially when the sun is setting. My favourite par 4s are holes 9 and 16. Holes 11 and 18 are stunning par 5s playing right alongside the mangroves.

General Manager, Phil Henderson, prides himself on delivering 5 star quality, and has every right to be proud of what has been achieved at Al Zorah since opening in 2015. It is a course to be respected and also cherished, a credit to Dirk Bouts and his team from Nicklaus Design who have created 18 holes that truly inspire the discerning golfer.

Darren King is Senior Sales Manager for Emaar Hospitality Group (Dubai Hills, Address Montgomerie, Arabian Ranches) and a former Geelong Aussie Rules representative

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9) Ayla Golf Club
2018 Ranking: New Entry • Design: Greg Norman (2016)
Aqaba, Jordan • Par 72 • Yards 7,152 • Total Score 61.75

Luke Joy on Ayla GC
(Touring Professional)
Since first visiting Ayla Golf Club back in 2017 for a Mena Tour event, I have had the pleasure of returning two years later to see an amazing infrastructure transformation. The recently completed clubhouse has been transformed beautifully into an ergonomic base for the club in the base of the Aqaba valley, the host destination of the ‘Journey to Jordan’, the MENA Tour’s answer to Jumeirah Golf Estates and the Race to Dubai. The course itself is a great layout designed knowing that generally the wind will blow. As such, Greg Norman, whose creations notably feature three times in the 2020 Top 10, has made a true test for all abilities to enjoy. Every time I have played the course it has been in impeccable condition and with the floodlight par 3 also available for stay and play adventures, it is a simply superb facility. Always a treat to visit.

Luke Joy has won seven professional titles including two on the MENA Tour

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10) Trump International Golf Club, Dubai
2018 Ranking: 10 • Design: Gil Hanse (2016)
Dubai, UAE • Par 71 • Yards 7,300 • Total Score 61.05

Tom Buchanan on Trump International GC
(PGA Professional)
One of the newest additions to the Middle East’s eclectic collection of courses, Trump International Golf Club Dubai is a fair test for all levels of ability. The proviso here is to select the tees that match that ability or this fantastically shaped Gil Hanse design will punish.

Wide, undulating fairways can give a false sense of security (miss them and you’ll be penalised) as the course comes alive with its green complexes and slippery surrounds where accuracy and yardage control is a must. Missed approaches often result in severe difficulties in saving par.

Housing and apartments have sprouted up around the course adding to the completed feel of this fantastic golf course. In my opinion, holes 9-13 are a great stretch with two par 5’s, a drivable par 4 and two complex holes testing every part of your game.

Every time we go back, Trump International Golf Club, Dubai has improved, no doubt keeping it in this very competitive Top 10 and making it a definite must-play for anyone visiting the Middle East.

Tom Buchanan is the Acting Operations Manager at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club and qualified for the 2018 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship

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•  MEET THE 2020 PANEL
•  READERS’ CHOICE 2020
•  THE BEST IN THE MIDDLE EAST 2020
•  TOP 10 GOLF COURSES IN THE MIDDLE EAST 2018

The post Top 10 Golf Courses in the Middle East: The Class of 2020 appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Our ranking of the top 10 golf courses in the Middle East is the only one of its kind and an undertaking that we pride ourselves on tackling as fairly and methodically as possible.

But we have continued the tradition that we started back in 2011 of giving our readers the opportunity to have their say, too. Through an online voting form, almost 600 readers of Golf Digest Middle East listed their five favourite golf courses in order. We tallied the results, and the Readers’ Choice Top 10 is published here.

Each course received a score of 25pts for a first place pick, 18 for second, 15 for third, 12 for fourth and 10 for fifth.

There has been plenty of changes from 2018 and lots of snakes and ladders action in between. The famed Majlis retains its position

as the Readers’ favourite, the home of the Omega Classics matching its top-ranking as judged by our panel. Elsewhere, the National layout at Abu Dhabi Golf Club returns and Dubai Hills Golf Club make its debut on the list.

With 10 of the 10 courses here located in the UAE, its reputation as the golfing capital of the region remains unchallenged. – RG/KG

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•  BACK TO 2020 TOP 10 LIST
•  MEET THE 2020 PANEL
•  THE 2020 BEST IN THE MIDDLE EAST

The post Top 10 Golf Courses in the Middle East 2020: Readers’ Choice appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

*N.B. Panelists attached or affiliated to a certain club cannot submit a rating for it

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How Our Panel Ranks The Courses

The Golf Digest Middle East ranking panel of 26 experts judged the courses on seven criteria, each on a scale of 1 (unacceptable) to 10 (absolute perfection). The categories, which we have adopted from the U.S. edition’s tried and tested methods and modified to fit the specific conditions in our region, are as follows:

1. Shot Values
How well does the course pose risks and rewards and equally test length, accuracy and finesse?

2. Design Variety
How varied are the golf course’s holes in differing lengths, configurations, hazard placements, green shapes and green contours?

3. Resistance to Scoring
How difficult, while still being fair, is the course for a scratch player from the back tees?

4. Memorability
How well do the design features (tees, fairways, greens, hazards, vegetation and terrain) provide individuality to each hole, yet a collective continuity to the entire 18?

5. Aesthetics
How well do the scenic values of the course (including landscaping, vegetation, water features and backdrops) add to the pleasure of a round? Is peripheral construction an eye-sore?

6. Conditioning
How firm, fast and rolling are the fairways, and how firm yet receptive are the greens?

7. Ambience
How well does the overall feel and atmosphere of the course reflect or uphold the traditional values of the game?

ARRIVING AT THE FINAL SCORE
For each course, we total the average scores in each category, double-weighting the Shot Values category, to arrive at a final average score out of 80. As a reference point, Augusta National was 2015’s top-ranked course in the U.S, averaging 72.15. Our top course scored 66.17.

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•  BACK TO TOP 10 2020 LIST
•  READERS’ CHOICE 2020
•  THE BEST IN THE MIDDLE EAST 2020

The post Top 10 Middle East Courses 2020: The judging panel and ranking process appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

The iconic Falcon has overlooked much drama since the inception of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship presented by EGA in 2006 with all two editions of the event being decided by a single shot.

Related: Abu Dhabi voted best clubhouse in biennial Middle East Top 10 courses

Erected in 2000, the Falcon pays homage to the national bird of the UAE and recognises the importance of falconry in Arab tradition and culture. Dating back to hundreds of years, the Bedouin hunters used falcons to gather their food.

It’s undoubtedly one of the most iconic clubhouses in golf, and certainly the most unique, as well as providing the location for some much-needed rest and relaxation for players off of the golf course where there is a surprising array of facilities hidden beneath those outstretched wings. The players can sample the award-winning dining options in the clubhouse, as well as leisure facilities including swimming pools, sauna, steam room, jacuzzi and a squash court.

The most unique area is the meeting room situated in the beak of the falcon, allowing a near all around view of the property, and from which you can see many of its 27 championship holes.

Such is the size of the clubhouse, Abu Dhabi Golf Club is one of the few Tour venues that allow its members to experience going behind the ropes during the week of the championship. Members can rub shoulders with the stars of the European Tour, watch the winner being crowned under the shadow of the clubhouse and with the floodlit Garden Course remaining open every evening during the week, members and visitors will also have an opportunity to go and play themselves.

Similarly, these benefits can be enjoyed by anyone enjoying the many hospitality options the club is offering during this year’s championship.

Related: Play Night Golf during the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship presented by EGA

Ed Edwards, GM of Abu Dhabi Golf Club, spoke of the benefits of having such a recognisable clubhouse.

“It’s got to be one of the most iconic clubhouses in the world, the recognition really helps us promote the facility on both the regional and international stage because as soon as you see the clubhouse you know it is Abu Dhabi Golf Club.

“In addition to the iconic clubhouse and the services and facilities it offers, the quality of the golf course and the option of playing night golf, plus the extensive practice facilities and the leisure offering, all form a unique membership selling point which attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world each year.

“The players also love it here as there is a really relaxed atmosphere during the tournament. Inside the clubhouse you can usually find them either mingling with members and guests in Café 28 or chilling out in the players’ lounge, where there is a veranda overlooking the course.

“There’s also lots of hidden spots where they are able to wind down, including the championship lounge with its own pool table and sport on numerous TVs. Every year we take great pride from their feedback.”

Visit adgolfclub.com

The post Inside the Iconic Falcon clubhouse at Abu Dhabi G.C. appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

A shock at the top, a newbie at the bottom and plenty of snakes and ladders action in between  highlight our 5th biennial ranking

By Kent Gray
“The next edition of our top 10 rankings in two years time promises to be an even harder club to get into.” The closing summation from our 2016 ranking didn’t do the difficultly of the impending initiation process justice. It clearly wasn’t impossible to break the monopoly as the new entry at No.10 in this year’s list illustrates.

But that the newbie ousted a proven European Tour venue in Doha Golf Club speaks to the truly world class concentration of courses in the region and the demanding task of trying to rank said quantity of quality. Indeed, less than a point separated the new 10 from the Qatar Masters venue and arguably the unluckiest club to miss out, Greg Norman’s brilliant new Ayla G.C. design in Aqaba, Jordan.

As noted in 2016, the Middle East is home to some of the finest golf on the planet, the spinoff of a region where visionary leaders embolden leisure investors who in turn entrust the world’s leading course architects not to mess up the blank desert canvases they are gifted. Few projects have disappointed, making the job of our expert panel of 23  (explained in detail on the next page and significantly boasting a female presence this time) as difficult as ever.

Awarded a mark out of 80 across seven scoring categories by each panelist, our top ranked course scored an average of 65.32, while No.10 came in at 59.88. Little more than three points separate the entire top five. In short, the Middle East’s best courses were extremely difficult to separate and just as tough to compare.

How do you measure a manicured hybrid of parkland and desert against a modern-day seaside links, or an inland links wannabe for that matter?

The best way is with Golf Digest’s impartial and internationally trusted formula.

It’s certainly comforting that the top-10 selected by our panel closely mirrors the elite 10 selected by you, our loyal readers, proving we can’t have gone too far wrong.

In addition to the regular Readers’ Choice list we’ve also continued our ‘Best’ section (see p80) with your scores tallied alongside the thoughts of the panel to find the best ‘Nine-holer’, ‘Clubhouse’, ‘Food and Beverage/Service’ and ‘Best value’ course.

Ultimately, we suspect few of the courses on the following pages will come as a surprise although their place in the new pecking order might. That’s okay – there is nothing more subjective in golf that the apples versus pears ranking of golf courses after all. You don’t have to agree with us. In fact, we actively ecourage your thoughts on our social media channels either way.

What we are unequivocal about is our summary of the 2018 list. With new Tiger Woods and Dubai Hills courses soon to come on line and others in the pipeline, the 6th edition of our top 10 rankings in 2020 promises to be even tougher to judge, making it an even more coveted club of which to belong.

How lucky we are to golf in the desert.

Meet the panel and how they ranked the courses
Check out the best in the Middle East
Readers’ Choice: Your favourites revealed
Top 10 Golf Courses in the Middle East 2016

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1) The Majlis, Emirates Golf Club  (click to go to the club website)
2016 Ranking: 3 • Design: Karl Litten (1988)
Dubai, UAE • Par 72 • Yards 7,301 • Total Score 65.32

David Cannon

By Luke Joy (Tour Professional)
The venerable Majlis, the inaugural Middle East Top 10 winner in 2009, will always have a special place in my heart as it was the location of my first start in a European Tour event. The course looks awesome off the tee and well placed bunkers and run-offs around the greens make it a real treat to play and a challenge for golfers of all levels. The course peaks around December/January when the European Tour swings into town (an annual marvel by agronomy chief Craig Haldane and his team) and when the grandstands are up, it’s a cracking walk up the 18th.

Karl Litten’s design provides great excitement, especially on the back nine where birdie opportunities abound if you are playing well. Conversely, you’ll be punished for a poor, misplaced shot, as it should be. A much warranted return to No.1 for the spiritual home of Middle East golf.

Luke Joy will tee it up in the 29th Omega Dubai Desert Classic from Jan. 25-28

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2) Yas Links Golf Club
2016 Ranking: 1 • Design: Kyle Phillips (2010)
Abu Dhabi, UAE • Par 72 • Yards 7,414 • Total Score 64.75

Kevin Murray

By Kent Gray (Editor, Golf Digest Middle East)
From the moment you are greeted by Old Tom Morris at the gate, right up until one of the friendly bag drop attendants in their Tam o’ Shanters helps you pack the sticks back in the car, Yas Links is a magical experience. The Andalusian style clubhouse is the first give away, oozing understated elegance and offering a window to the sea/mangrove views which serve as a stunning accomplice to Kyle Phillips’ truly world class golf architecture.  Yas may only be seven years young but the rumpled fairways, undulating greens and ball swallowing rough combine to remind of ancient British and Irish links, minus the lousy weather.

All aspects of your game are tested, especially if the breeze fills in on the layout’s particularly invigorating, homeward stretch where pars on any of the 16th, 17th and 18th (or a combination thereof) ensures your post round sun downer will be even sweeter.

There will be genuine dismay among Yas Links’ most loyal devotees that it has been dethroned as the Middle East’s No.1 for the first time in its history. It should be noted its score this year is virtually identical to its winning number from 2016 and sometimes you simply have to doff your Tam o’Shanter to a rival at the top of its game. Still, we suspect this is a match play set-back Yas simply won’t settle for so watch this space in 2020.  Better still, get yourself to Yas Island for an unforgettable golf  experience.

Kent Gray began covering golf in the Middle East since 2013 and has reported on the game globally since 1989

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3) Almouj Golf
2016 Ranking: 2 • Design: Greg Norman (2012)
Muscat, Oman • Par 72 • Yards 7,300 • Total Score 63.62

Bob McCaffrey

By Robbie Greenfield (Sports Radio Co-host)
Almouj Golf may not be quite as well-known as some of the other high-flying courses in this ranking, but that will soon change with its new status as a European Tour venue. Previously established as the grand finale to the Challenge Tour’s Road to Oman, Greg Norman’s layout has had a deserved promotion to the main tour and you can expect plenty of high praise from Europe’s best players when they arrive for the NBO Oman Golf Classic in mid-February.

This is a rugged, windswept brute of a layout, as challenging as it is beautiful. The opening hole features a green hidden among some typically impressive sand dunes but you don’t have to wait long for the first ‘wow’ moment, as the par 3 2nd provides sweeping views out across the Sea of Oman. The presence of the sea enhances this modern-day links, but it’s not the defining feature. Norman has crafted some enormous dunes and the last few years have added a rustic maturity to the native areas.

When the wind is up, which is most of the time, the par 3 14th has to rank among the most terrifying one-shotters in the region but it’s by no means the only do-or-die shot you’ll face here. We’re used to seeing the best players on the European Tour shoot the lights out, but don’t expect any record low scores when Almouj Golf bears its teeth.

Robbie Greenfield played as a marker for Darren Clarke during Jordan’s MENA Tour debut last year

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4) Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club
2016 Ranking: 5 • Design: Thomas Bjørn Redesign (1993)
Dubai, UAE • Par 71 • Yards 6,967 • Total Score 63.44

Steve Carr

By Luke Plumb (PGA Professional)
Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club is one of my favorite courses in the UAE. The course is laid out fantastically from start to finish with a great mixture of holes which put an emphasis on straight driving and accurate iron shots. The greens are always in stunning condition, running true and fast, which makes putting at the “Creek” testing but enjoyable. One of my favorite holes is the 6th with the Island tee box where you tee off from the middle of Dubai Creek.

You can’t talk about Dubai Creek without mentioning the finishing stretch. The 16th, a tough par 3, is certainly one you are happy to walk off with a par, followed by the amazing 17th and 18th holes. The 17th is relatively short but the tee shot is extremely tight with water up the left and bunkers waiting to swallow your ball on the right. You need to hit two accurate and solid shots to set up a birdie opportunity. The 18th is, quite simply, a fantastic hole and one of the best finishes in golf. You have a great view of Dubai Creek on your left however there is disaster awaiting at every corner. Similar to the 17th you need to hit two great shots to make the green in regulation. Any miss hit is likely to result in a double bogey. Playing back towards the iconic clubhouse gives the fantastic finishing holes a perfect back drop.

Luke Plumb is the new CEO of the UAE PGA

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5) Saadiyat Beach Golf Club
2016 Ranking: 8 • Design: Gary Player (2010)
Abu Dhabi, UAE • Par 72 • Yards 7,806 • Total Score 62.73

By Malcolm Young (PGA Professional)
Saadiyat Beach is always a pleasure to play, offering a memorable experience and challenge to golfers of every skill level. The design makes good use of its location, the gulf coastline coming into play on several par 3s and par 4s on both nines and giving the layout its  seaside character and links feel.

The mix of holes demand some well-placed tee shots, accurate irons and pin point wedges to score well whilst never feeling too demanding. Taking a lead from some classic designs, Gary Player entices you to be creative particularly around the greens which allow a variety of shots to be played.

The course has a very natural feel with the obvious standout holes being the combination of 16 and 17. The elevated position of the 16th tee lays out the demands ahead where only a well struck tee shot and accurate second will be worthy of a par. The tricky 17th is a true gem with a small target making it a perfect short par 3. Another great example of the design is the 10th where the short par 4 offers many options off the tee with a well-guarded green making it a perfect risk and reward hole.

From tee to green, Saadiyat Beach requires every club in the bag to score well. It’s always a pleasure to play with the natural terrain and roaming wildlife leaving a lasting impression.

Malcolm Young is a former UAE PGA Championship winner

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6) Earth, Jumeirah Golf Estates
2016 Ranking: 4 • Design: Greg Norman (2009)
Dubai, UAE • Par 72 • Yards 7,675 • Total Score 62.71

Kevin Murray

By Callum Nicoll (PGA Professional)
It’s always special to play a course where we watch the best players in the world do battle each year. What makes the Earth Course so enjoyable on a day-to-day basis for me is the fact that it’s so aesthetically pleasing and always kept to a high standard. The definition of the fairways to the woodchip and the trees frame every hole, making each feel individual. While the fairways could be deemed generous, tee shots still have to be strategically placed to afford the best route into most pins and even though Earth hosts large greens, Greg Norman’s design really makes you think when hitting approach shots. Pins can easily be tucked away in difficult positions on the already tricky and undulating putting surfaces. There is an excellent variety of holes and this is most evident on what I regard as a particularly strong finishing stretch. Within the last five holes you have two different length par 4s, a par 3 surrounded by water and two par 5s including the last which can produce an eagle chance if brave enough, aka Henrik Stenson’s memorable three wood to the 72nd hole of the 2013 DP World Tour Championship.

Callum Nicoll is a multiple UAE PGA Order of Merit champion

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7) The Els Club
2016 Ranking: 7 • Design: Ernie Els (2008)
Dubai, UAE • Par 72 • Yards 7,538 • Total Score 61.14

Paul Severn

By Danny Jakubowski (PGA Professional)
You know you are in for a special day at The Els Club. What impresses me the most about the golf course are the nuances that may take a round or two to notice. Course designer Ernie Els has done an amazing job of bunker routing, creating risk-reward tee shots and approaches. As with many of his designs, Els has utilised clever undulations and elevations to protect par. The greens are always in perfect condition, tricky but fair, and a well struck and on line putt never deviates from its line. The great conditions are one thing, but having that beautiful clubhouse in view on holes 9 and 18 makes for a great setting to finish the round and enjoy a well earned drink after.

Danny Jakubowski is Group Director of Instruction at Abu Dhabi and Saadiyat Beach

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8) The National, Abu Dhabi Golf Club
2016 Ranking: 6 • Design: Peter Harradine (2000)
Abu Dhabi, UAE • Par 72 • Yards 7,334 • Total Score 60.36

Kevin Murray

By Karl Whitehead (PGA Professional)
What a venue Abu Dhabi GC is. Known the world over for it’s iconic clubhouse and as the proud host of one of the European Tour’s biggest events each year, it’s a real jewel in the crown for the UAE golf scene.

The National course is truly world class,  a reminder of which we get every January with the great feedback it receives from the world’s leading tour professionals.

On the eye it’s a stunning looking layout: beautiful landscape surrounds each hole and when overseeded in the cooler season, there is a striking contrast between fairway and rough. Add to this the nice variety of water features and some very strategically placed bunkers and the result is an outstanding golf experience.

What always stands out to me is the premium, and in turn reward, placed on driving the ball well.  Pretty much all the landing areas are at an angle and it therefore challenges both the eye and your shot shaping ability. If driving well, it can certainly become scoreable as the greens and run-offs are not overly demanding.

Delving into specific holes, the 9th and 18th always stand out and are topped off with the unique experience of playing towards the Falcon clubhouse. The par 3’s each have character and are great fun to play also. Mix in a world-class team and with the expertise of Troon and the overall club experience from start to finish is consistency top class.

Karl Whitehead is General Manager at The Els Club, Dubai

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9) Al Zorah Golf Club
2016 Ranking: 10 • Design: Nicklaus Design (2015)
Ajman, UAE • Par 72 • Yards 7,169 • Total Score 60.05

Kevin Murray

By Claudine Foong-Riggs (Golf Wellness and Performance Coach)
When I tee it up at any golf course, the aesthetics and energy of the course significantly influences how much I enjoy my round of golf. Al Zorah Golf Club, located in Ajman, and only a 30 minute drive from downtown Dubai, does not disappoint.

The Nicklaus designed golf course, is a peaceful and tranquil haven if you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. You can spend a few hours amongst the acres of naturally protected mangroves that feature an abundance of wildlife, which is unique to other courses in the UAE.

For the most part, the course exudes a sense of confidence off the tee, with generous fairways allowing you to hit driver at will. Nicklaus designed many of the tee boxes as islands set amongst the mangroves adding to the beauty of the design. Water comes into play on several holes and even more so when the tide is in. When the tide is out, some of those hazard areas become sandy waste land, providing you with a glimmer of hope. The fairways run firm but you can still take a clean divot on an iron strike. The greens are guarded by deep traps and have plenty of undulation, making judging your line a tricky test.

Overall, the course has a great balance of challenge and opportunity. Al Zorah is a course where unless you hit it into the water, you should always be able to find your ball. When the wind picks up, which it often does, you better know how to control your trajectory. However, regardless of your playing ability, the course features several tee boxes to provide the right level of difficulty.

Every time I’ve left Al Zorah, I’ve felt like I just had a mini holiday. The combination of nature, excellent design and first class service makes Al Zorah a course you will always love coming back to.

Claudine Foong-Riggs is a former Symetra Tour pro and regular golf fitness contributor to Golf Digest Middle East

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10) Trump International Golf Club, Dubai
2016 Ranking: New Entry • Design: Gil Hanse (2016)
Dubai, UAE • Par 71 • Yards 7,300 • Total Score 59.88

Kevin Murray

By Robbie Greenfield (Sports Radio Co-host)
It may not be on the coast, but the Trump International Golf Club Dubai is actually the closest thing you’ll find to a traditional links course in the Middle East. It’s one of the few courses in this region that allows you to take the terrestrial route, and the undulating terrain shaped by Gil Hanse adds an entirely new dimension to the playing experience. If, like me, you reach for your putter at the first conceivable opportunity, you will enjoy this golf course.

The UAE’s newest 18-hole course has other hallmarks of a classic links design. Holes one and nine are bisected by a snaking wadi, but the opening tee shot is nonetheless among the most inviting of any course that features on this list. The giant green complex on the 1st, which flows seamlessly into the adjacent eighth green, encapsulates this Hanse design. Your targets may be generous on the Trump course, but woe betide you if you wind up in the wrong spot. The closely cropped tight lies demand a high degree of skill with a wedge and this course plays firm and fast, which is what this game should be all about.

The best stretch of holes lie on the front nine, from the par 3 5th to the short uphill par 4 8th that plays back towards the imposing clubhouse. Hanse wanted this to be a fun experience, and in allowing golfers to get the ball in play off the tee before challenging them with a varied array of different approach shots, he has done just that. And for a layout that’s barely one year old, we can expect plenty of improvement as both the course and its surrounding development continues to mature.

Robbie Greenfield has been covering golf in the Middle East since 2005

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•  MEET THE 2018 PANEL
•  READERS’ CHOICE 2018
•  THE BEST IN THE MIDDLE EAST 2018
•  TOP 10 GOLF COURSES IN THE MIDDLE EAST 2016
•  TOP 10 GOLF COURSES IN THE MIDDLE EAST 2020

The post Top 10 Golf Courses in the Middle East 2018 appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

This is our fifth biennial ranking of the best golf courses in the Middle East, and for the second time, we have broadened our scope to include a range of excellence that exists beyond the boundaries of 18-hole layouts. Unsurprisingly, these categories were just as hard to separate as the courses themselves.

This is a region that excels both on and off the course. The amenities are among the best in the world and the service is exemplary. Of the six nine-holers in the Middle East, not one doesn’t leave us pining for its imaginary second nine. As for the category of Best Clubhouse, there is scarcely one that doesn’t combine arresting architecture with a seamless blend of comfort and convenience.

We sifted through the views of our panel and tallied the reader votes to arrive at this, the final list of winners and runners-up. The very best of the best in a region that consistently sets its own international benchmark. – RG

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•  BACK TO 2018 TOP 10 LIST
•  MEET THE 2018 PANEL
•  2018 READERS’ CHOICE

The post Top 10 Courses: 2018 Best in the Middle East appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Golf writers, accomplished amateurs, seasoned UAE PGA Professionals and MENA Tour players comprise our 23-person panel
*N.B. Panelists attached or affiliated to a certain club did not submit a rating for it

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How Our Panel Ranks The Courses

The Golf Digest Middle East ranking panel of 23 experts judged the courses on seven criteria, each on a scale of 1 (unacceptable) to 10 (absolute perfection). The categories, which we have adopted from the U.S. edition’s tried and tested methods and modified to fit the specific conditions in our region, are as follows:

1  Shot Values
How well does the course pose risks and rewards and equally test length, accuracy and finesse?

2  Design Variety
How varied are the golf course’s holes in differing lengths, configurations, hazard placements, green shapes and green contours?

3  Resistance to Scoring
How difficult, while still being fair, is the course for a scratch player from the back tees?

4  Memorability
How well do the design features (tees, fairways, greens, hazards, vegetation and terrain) provide individuality to each hole, yet a collective continuity to the entire 18?

5  Aesthetics
How well do the scenic values of the course (including landscaping, vegetation, water features  and backdrops) add to the pleasure of a round? Is peripheral construction an eye-sore?

6  Conditioning
How firm, fast and rolling are the fairways, and how firm yet receptive are the greens?

7  Ambience
How well does the overall feel and atmosphere of the course reflect or uphold the traditional values of the game?

ARRIVING THE FINAL SCORE
For each course, we total the average scores in each category, double-weighting the Shot Values category, to arrive at a final average score out of 80. As a reference point, Augusta National was 2015’s top ranked course in the U.S, averaging 72.15. Our top course scored 65.32.

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The post Top 10 Golf Courses in the Middle East 2018 – Meet The Panel appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

There might be nothing more subjective in golf than the ranking of courses. Designs that captivate some golfers will leave others unmoved. The greens that you love to putt on, your playing partner might loathe; the holes that you remember, they may quickly forget. How fond a golfer is of a certain course may come down to nothing more than how well they last played it. Happy memories are easy to hold when you’ve broken your personal best score, and by the same token, even the loveliest of course will lose some of its lustre if you’ve endured a bad round.

Our ranking of the top 10 golf courses in the Middle East is the only one of its kind and an undertaking that we pride ourselves on tackling as fairly and methodically as possible.

But we have continued the tradition that we started back in 2011 of giving our readers the opportunity to have their say, too. Through an online voting form, almost 500 readers of Golf Digest Middle East listed their five favourite golf courses in order. We tallied the results, and the Readers’ Choice Top 10 is published here.

Each course received a score of 25pts for a first place pick, 18 for second, 15 for third, 12 for fourth and 10 for fifth.

Two of the top three clubs remain the same, with Abu Dhabi slipping out, the Creek sneaking in and Yas Links moving up a spot to second. The famed Majlis retains its position as the Readers’ favourite, the home of the Omega Classics matching its top-ranking as judged by our panel. Elsewhere, Doha Golf Club, Trump International Golf Club Dubai and Al Zorah Golf Club in Ajman make debuts on the list. With nine of the 10 courses here located in the UAE, its reputation as the golfing capital of the region remains unchallenged. – RG

Kevin Murray

Kevin Murray

Kristina Nabieva

Kevin Murray

Paul Severn

Kevin Murray

Steve Carr

Kevin Murray

David Cannon

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•  BACK TO 2018 TOP 10 LIST
•  MEET THE 2018 PANEL
•  THE 2018 BEST IN THE MIDDLE EAST

The post Top 10 Courses: 2018 Readers’ Choice appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.