Best Golf Courses in the Middle East

Course Review: Best Golf Courses in the Middle East

On Sunday, Spain's Pablo Larrazabal won the Abu Dhabi Championship - one of the European Tour's flagship golf events in the middle east.

As the Gulf states become increasingly popular with golf tourists for their sunny weather and location on major international flight routes, this week's course review takes a look at the best golf courses in the middle east.

From desert sands to lush green fairways

As the desert is converted into an oasis of 21st-century cities, wealthy Gulf states have taken to golf as a sport of choice, hosting international tournaments on a variety of top-quality courses. Golf has also become a major attraction for developers, with residential communities centred around golf courses springing up throughout the region. Here are some of the best courses in the Gulf states.

Jumeirah Golf Estates - Dubai, United Arab Emirates

The Greg Norman-designed Earth and Fire Courses at Jumeirah host the European Tour's season-closing DP World Championship each year. Located in the city's most exclusive coastal suburb, these courses are kept in immaculate condition, with grass that is miraculously lush for a desert course.

The fine desert sand bunkers pose a challenge to golfers - many an unsuspecting visitor has created a cloud of dust with their sand wedge, only to find the ball in exactly the same spot as before.

Abu Dhabi Golf Club - Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

This national course is the brainchild of golf course architect Peter Harradine. The par-72 course is inviting to the eye, but golfers should not underestimate the 18 holes at Abu Dhabi - with over 90 bunkers, the course calls for an accurate short game. While less scenic than Jumeirah, the course does offer a view of the Abu Dhabi Formula 1 track and the surrounding city.

Doha Golf Club - Doha, Qatar

This course is another Harradine design, with an 18-hole championship layout and a 9-hole academy course which offers a guided round of golf with the club's resident pros. The Doha Golf Club hosts the annual Qatar Masters, living up to its reputation as one of the finest golf facilities in the Gulf region.