Why Dubai Is a Golfer’s Paradise
Dubai’s appeal starts with year round sunshine. While the summer months can be intense, the winter months offer ideal golfing conditions, with daytime temperatures sitting comfortably between 20–30°C.
On the course design side, Dubai has attracted some of golf’s biggest names:
Greg Norman, creator of Jumeirah Golf Estates’ Earth and Fire course layouts
Ernie Els, who crafted The Els Club in Dubai Sports City
Architects like Kyle Phillips, whose work at Yas Links in nearby Abu Dhabi is a must-play for regional golf travellers
Legends such as Tiger Woods and Ian Baker-Finch, among many other European Tour and PGA stars, who’ve competed here and helped cement Dubai’s legendary status on the global golf map
Dubai regularly hosts major tournaments including the DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates and the Dubai Desert Classic at Emirates Golf Club. Watching the world’s best play golf on the same fairways you can book the next day is part of what makes golf in Dubai such a memorable experience.
Add in five-star luxury hotels, a dramatic skyline, desert safari excursions, and easy connections across the Middle East and Europe, and you have one of the most compelling golf destinations anywhere.
Dubai Golf Courses at a Glance
There are now more than a dozen championship-standard golf courses in Dubai, plus several shorter layouts and academy facilities. While this isn’t a literal complete directory, think of it as your core reference for the best golf courses and world class courses to prioritise.
You’ll find everything from classic desert layouts framed by native vegetation and natural terrain, to “resort links” with wide fairways, water carries and skyline views. Many sit within dedicated golf estates, where fairways are lined with villas and apartments, while others anchor waterfront or urban lifestyle districts such as Dubai Marina and Dubai Creek.
Championship Courses: Where the Pros Play
Emirates Golf Club – Majlis Course
If you only play one round in Dubai, make it the Majlis Course at Emirates Golf Club. Often described as the city’s first golf course in the modern era of desert golf (and the Middle East’s first all-grass championship layout), the Majlis has earned legendary status as host of the Dubai Desert Classic.
Classic desert layout with clever doglegs and strategic bunkering
A true stern test off the championship tees, but more forgiving from forward tees
Immaculate practice facilities including driving range, short-game areas and putting greens
From the back tees, the Majlis demands precise ball-striking and smart course management. Fairways are generous enough for most players, but errant shots find sand, water or cleverly contoured run-offs that challenge even serious golfers.
The club’s other layout, often used for night golf, offers a unique chance to play golf under floodlights – a signature Dubai experience that’s ideal during warmer periods.
Jumeirah Golf Estates – Earth & Fire
Home to the DP World Tour Championship, Jumeirah Golf Estates is an upmarket community built around two Greg Norman-designed courses:
Earth Course – A more strategic, almost links style design with rolling terrain, bold bunkering and dramatic closing holes. It’s built to test tour professionals yet remains manageable for club golfers from suitable tees.
Fire Course – Routed through desert landscape and native vegetation, with dramatic elevation changes and a more aggressive feel. Fire is often seen as “fun tough”: bolder lines, more risk-reward and visual intimidation that rewards commitment.
Both layouts offer:
World-class practice facilities
Generous yet demanding green complexes
The atmosphere of a true tournament venue, with grandstands and hospitality infrastructure visible around event time
For many, playing Jumeirah Golf Estates is the highlight of a Dubai golf trip and a benchmark of exceptional golf experiences anywhere in the region.
Value & Mid-Range Options: Championship Feel, Smarter Budget
The Els Club – Dubai Sports City
Designed by Ernie Els, The Els Club in Dubai Sports City is a favourite for residents and visiting European golf fans alike. Often rated among the best golf courses in the region for value:
Weekday green fees typically start around the mid-range bracket, making it more affordable than some “marquee” clubs
A blend of resort-style wide fairways and strategically placed bunkers that reward good angles into greens
A welcoming golf club atmosphere and excellent practice facilities, ideal for serious golfers working on their games
The routing makes smart use of the natural terrain, with enough contouring to test your ball striking without feeling punishing.
Dubai Hills Golf Club
Dubai Hills Golf Club has quickly become one of the most popular Dubai golf courses for residents, thanks to:
A beautifully conditioned course with views of the skyline, creating a genuinely unforgettable experience at sunset
Mid-range pricing that makes regular play realistic if you live nearby
A layout that challenges better players from the tips while remaining playable for higher handicaps
For golfers basing themselves in central areas, Dubai Hills offers one of the best balances between accessibility, condition and cost.
Waterfront & Resort Golf: Creek and Coastline
Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club
Dubai Creek Golf is one of the city’s most iconic venues. The Dubai Creek course winds along the water’s edge with stunning skyline views, while the distinctive clubhouse anchors the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club (often written as dubai creek golf yacht or creek golf yacht club).
Highlights include:
A tight, strategic layout where wind and water play a major role
Exceptional world class facilities shared with the adjacent Park Hyatt Dubai, one of the city’s best luxury hotels for golfers
Charming marina and yacht club atmosphere that feels a world away from the bustle of downtown
For visitors planning a Dubai golf holiday, staying at Park Hyat Dubai beside the Creek combines resort-style relaxation with easy access to the course and other attractions.
Dubai Marina & Coastal Courses
While there isn’t a course directly in Dubai Marina, staying there puts you close to several coastal and city courses, plus nightlife, restaurants and beaches. Many golfers:
Base themselves in Dubai Marina or near the Burj Al Arab for the lifestyle
Use transfers or hotel shuttles to reach nearby golf courses in Dubai and even day-trip to Yas Links in Abu Dhabi for a links style design experience on the coast
Navigating Golf Memberships in Dubai
For those living in the city, joining a golf club is often the most cost-effective way to enjoy golf in Dubai year round.
Understanding the Costs
Memberships at leading clubs typically involve:
Annual dues in the AED 35,000–55,000 range
One-off joining fees that can add AED 12,000–30,000 or more
Optional add-ons for family members, range access or reciprocal rights
At first glance this is a serious investment. But if you play golf twice per week, paying rack-rate green fees at most courses could easily cost more than a full membership over a season.
Application Process
While exact processes differ, expect:
A formal application form with personal and professional details
References from one or two existing members (some clubs are flexible on this)
An informal interview or meeting with the membership team
A short waiting period for approval (often 2–4 weeks)
Possible placement on a waitlist if the club is at capacity
Corporate memberships can be an attractive route, especially for those whose employers see value in networking and business development on course.
Wait Lists & Golf Estates
Flagship clubs like Emirates Golf Club and Jumeirah Golf Estates often have wait lists ranging from several months to over a year, particularly around peak season. Memberships linked to specific golf estates (such as Jumeirah Golf Estates or communities near Dubai Hills) can sometimes offer smoother access, especially if you purchase or rent property within the development.
Insider Tips for Golf in Dubai
Best Times of Year
Peak season / Winter months (October–April):
Cooler temperatures and ideal playing conditions
Highest demand for tee times and premium pricing
Book well in advance, especially for weekend morning slots
Summer months (May–September):
Daytime temperatures regularly exceed 40°C
Significant discounts, including twilight rates and even further reductions for midday rounds
Early morning, night golf and late-twilight rounds are your best bet for comfort
Booking & Tee Time Strategy
To make the most of your round:
Arrive early – give yourself time to warm up at the practice facilities, roll a few putts and adjust to the grain
Book at least a week ahead during peak season, more if you’re a group looking for back-to-back tee times
Ask about multi round packages if you’re on a Dubai golf holiday or long weekend – many operators offer bundled deals across several Dubai golf courses
Golf Lessons, Academies & Practice Facilities
One of Dubai’s biggest strengths is the quality of its academies. For serious golfers and beginners alike, coaching standards are exceptionally high.
Standout options include:
High-performance academies at premier clubs, offering tailored programmes for all levels
Technology-enabled coaching with launch monitors, video analysis and indoor studios
Junior programmes that make Dubai an excellent training base for developing players
Hourly lesson rates typically fall in the AED 400–600 range, with better value available on packages. Many clubs also host clinics with visiting coaches who have worked with major champions or at the highest levels of the European Tour and PGA Tour.
Planning Your Dubai Golf Holiday
If you’re coming on a Dubai golf holiday or short Dubai golf trip, a little planning goes a long way to making the most of one of the world’s premier golf destinations:
Start planning early in high season, especially if you want marquee venues like the Majlis, Earth or Dubai Creek
Combine golf with classic Dubai experiences – desert safari, city tours, fine dining and iconic landmarks like the Burj Al Arab
Consider splitting your stay between a city hotel (close to downtown, Dubai Marina and nightlife) and a resort property attached to a course or golf estates for a varied memorable experience
If time allows, add a day trip to Yas Links in Abu Dhabi for a Kyle Phillips-designed coastal layout that many rank among the best in the Middle East
With smart scheduling and a mix of championship courses, resort layouts and perhaps some night golf, you can experience a huge amount of variety in just a few days.
Final Thoughts
Dubai has firmly established itself as a leader among global golf destinations. From Emirates Golf Club and Jumeirah Golf Estates to Dubai Creek and Dubai Hills Golf Club, the city offers world class golf courses, sophisticated golf club environments and world class facilities that rival anywhere in the world.
Yes, playing and joining the top venues requires investment. But if you love the game, golf in Dubai delivers the kind of exceptional golf experiences and networking opportunities few other cities can match.
Whether you’re relocating, visiting on business, or simply planning your first Dubai golf holiday, use this Dubai golf guide complete course directory–style overview as your starting point. Shortlist a mix of championship courses, value gems and waterfront classics, then lock in your tee times.
From your first drive down a sunlit fairway to that final putt dropping under the lights during night golf, Dubai offers a truly unforgettable experience for golfers – year in, year out.
