Making the most of Dubai’s golfing scene - an insider’s guide

With the hot Middle East summer making way to balmy winter days, Dubai is the perfect year-round destination for golfing enthusiasts.

Visitors can follow in the footsteps of Tiger Woods, Ernie Els and Colin Montgomerie on some of the most celebrated fairways in the world. These include the Emirates Golf Club, Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, Arabian Ranches Desert Course, The Montgomerie and The Els Club. The number of championship courses found within a short taxi ride of each other is totally unparalleled.

Emirates Golf Club (EGC), known as ‘The Desert Miracle’ was the first all-grass championship golf course in the Gulf Region, built over 20 years ago. Since its opening, EGC annually hosts one of the European PGA Tours top events, the Dubai Desert Classic. As with all the top sporting events in Dubai this tournament is a fantastic spectator’s event with the whole of Dubai clammering for a ticket to the day’s competition and the evening’s festivities. Well worth a visit!

The relaxed atmosphere at the event is typical of the golfing scene in Dubai. With a large western expatriate community, golfers are guaranteed a warm welcome both on the course and at the clubhouse bar afterwards. Fridays are when the courses are busiest as this is the start of the weekend and advanced reservations are definitely recommended.

With all the clubhouses offering a fantastic array of restaurants and bars they are the perfect way to taste Dubai life, make friends and hear all the gossip from the Jumeirah Janes (the local WAGs!).

My favourite golf club after hours haunt is the Aquarium restaurant and QD’s bar at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club. The Pacific-inspired fine dining restaurant with champagne and oyster bar is the ultimate indulgence after a day on the course. If you prefer a more relaxed environment with Arabian tents, traditional shisha waterpipes, an extensive cocktail menu and resident DJ, QD’s is the perfect alfresco party venue for a sundowner or two! Situated on decking over the creek this is a real city oasis for both visitors and residents.

Tropical Sky offers a great range of luxury hotels in Dubai including the new Raffles Hotel located right in the centre of the city. Raffles offers numerous activities for the non-golfers in your party and the decadent Amrita Spa and Botanical Gardens are the perfect remedy for weary shoppers and golfers alike.

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