The Club House

Food:
Plenty to tempt your taste buds here: fine dining lunches and dinners combining Arabian and modern styles at Le Classique restaurant; from breakfast to late enjoy drinks, live sports on plasma screens with snacks and light meals at Spike Bar or the Sports Bar; try al fresco continental food at the Terrace Bar; enjoy a morning coffee at the Library Lounge or a business lunch at The Conservatory; or sample healthy salads and tropical cocktails at The Pool Bar.

Changing rooms:
Large locker rooms for gents and ladies - each with their own steam room. Lockers are free.

Pro shop:
Numerous international brands including clubs, apparel, merchandise and golfing equipment. The club is the exclusive distributor of Dubai Desert Classic logo merchandise.

Interior & exterior:
The club house is highly unusual and modern- taking the form of a series of buildings designed to look like giant Arabic tents. The interior is ultra plush and chic, with sumptuous fittings and wood paneling.

Background to the course

Architect:
Florida-based architect Karl Litten, who also designed the Nad al Sheba course, created the Majlis Course in 1988 and later created the Wadi Course with Jeremy Pern in 1995.

Type: Dunes

Landscape:
Constructed into the dunes on the edge of Dubai and maintained, according to the instructions of Sheikh Mohammed, in its natural state with undulating fairways and dry, sandy, desert floor. The Wadi tempts the average golfer with its space and large greens, which are cleverly protected by fourteen lakes and numerous bunkers.

Course facts:
- Emirates is known as "The Desert Miracle" as it was The Gulf region's first all-grass championship course. It was the brainchild of Sheikh Mohammed who donated the site to create an attraction to entice tourists and the corporate sector to Dubai.
- Within a month of opening, the Pan-Arab, the most important regional golf tournament, took place on the Majlis Course.
- In 1995 the club was voted "Favorite of the Year" by players of the European Tour.
- The Majlis Course takes its name from the Arabic for 'meeting place'. One of the most prominent features on the course is the Majlis building, positioned between the 8th and 9th holes.

Playing the Course

The Majlis Course is widely regarded as the best in Dubai. With fast greens and large, awkward bunkers this is a true championship course which is home to the world renowned $2 million Dubai Desert Classic. It's a tight course with vast tracts of desert waste, numerous trees and many water hazards. Any wayward shots are severely punished. To score well you need to play an accurate game and be able to hit the ball a long distance. With lush fairways, shady spots and lots of water on the course, it is possible to play this world class course in the hottest of temperatures without too much discomfort - but do take a buggy. Take a rest at the very welcome, half-way refreshment hut.

Course Views (click for enlargement)

Score Card

Address:
P.O. Box 24040, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Website:
www.dubaigolf.com

Telephone:
+971 4 380 1999 Fax: +971 4 380 1752

Courses and lengths:
Two 18 hole courses: Majlis Course, a par 72, 7211-yard championship course, and the Wadi Course, a par 72, 7114-yard.

Dress code:
Soft spiked-shoes only. Usual golf attire required.

Tee times:
During daylight hours, with a floodlit driving range for after dark.

Handicap:
Certificate required: men 28, ladies 36

Green fees:
Majlis Course costs $144, the Wadi Course between $103 and $116.

Other costs:
Carts, $14, club hire $33, bucket of 50 practice balls $5.

Facilities:
At Emirates Academy of Golf learn with Peter Cowen, one of the world's top teachers, and benefit from a climate-controlled environment, swing analysis and its own 3-hole course. There are two driving ranges, one fully floodlit. There's much for sports fans and families alike: a fully equipped gym with personal trainers, squash courts, a luxury swimming pool with swim classes, a tennis academy, a soccer academy for children aged 5 to 16, and relaxation sports like power yoga, reflexology, reiki therapy and Balinese massage.

Location:
Interchange 5 on the Sheikh Zayed Road in Safa, a few miles south of the city center where the club is located, suffers from dangerous traffic so take a taxi or car. It's a 40 minute drive from the airport.

More Information

Adventure Golf: Dubai