10 Best Golf Courses in UAE

Historically, Dubai hasn't been widely regarded as a traditional destination for a golf trip. However, significant investment in course design and facilities has seen the city develop some of the most amazing championship venues in the world. With year-round weather, luxury clubhouses, and exceptional course conditioning, Dubai has suddenly become one of the leading golf destinations anywhere in the Middle East.

But which golf courses should you prioritise? We've compiled a list of the 10 best golf courses in Dubai to help you plan the perfect golfing itinerary. We have also included a couple of standout courses in Abu Dhabi, as it's only a short drive away, and well worth adding to your schedule.

10. Dubai Hills Golf Club

Sitting at number 10 on the list of the best golf courses in Dubai is Dubai Hills Golf Club. The course opened in 2018, and has quickly established itself as one of the most enjoyable modern layouts in Dubai.

The front 9 offers dramatic elevation changes inspired by natural desert landscapes. The holes back to the clubhouse weave past lakes that frame several fairways and greens. The course is set on elevated ground, giving the Burj Khalifa a clear backdrop from multiple tee boxes and approach shots.

As a relatively new venue, Dubai Hills does not yet have the pedigree of hosting major tournament events. However, its combination of skyline views, resort-level presentation and accessible challenge makes it a favourite among visiting golfers seeking a stylish, modern test.

Key Facts - Dubai Hills Golf Club

Location: Dubai Hills Estate, Dubai
Opened: 2018
Par: 72
Course type: Modern desert-style course
Notable features: Downtown Dubai skyline views, strategic water hazards, wide fairways

9. Trump International Golf Club Dubai

Trump International Golf Club sits in the Damac Hills community in western Dubai and is one of the city’s most impressive modern championship layouts. Designed by renowned architect Gil Hanse and opened in 2017, the course is built across a vast desert landscape with rolling fairways, bold bunkering and wide playing corridors that give golfers multiple strategic options from the tee.

Many greens are perched or subtly protected by run-offs, encouraging smart approach play and rewarding those who choose safer angles from the tee box. Water hazards feature on several holes, especially on the closing stretch where precision becomes crucial.

One of the standout holes is the par-3 17th, played over water to a green set against the clubhouse skyline. It’s a photogenic but demanding shot, especially if the wind picks up across the open terrain.

Key Facts - Trump International Golf Club Dubai

Location: Damac Hills, Dubai
Opened: 2017
Par: 71
Course type: Desert-style championship course
Notable features: Gil Hanse design, dramatic shaping, strong closing stretch

8. Arabian Ranches Golf Club

Designed by Ian Baker-Finch in association with Nicklaus Design, the course offers a pure desert-style layout without the lakes or lush landscaping found at some of Dubai’s newer venues.

This is a course that rewards accuracy and smart shot-making. Fairways are often lined with native desert scrub and sandy waste areas, meaning poor tee shots can quickly lead to trouble. There is a good range of challenging holes and forgiving holes, making it suitable for golfers of different ability levels.

When you finish your round, relax in one of the 11 luxurious guest rooms in the clubhouse, offering either views overlooking the course or the lake. Arabian Ranches remains one of the best golf courses in Dubai, and is part of our premium 5 night golf trip to Dubai.

Key Facts - Arabian Ranches Golf Club

Location: Arabian Ranches, Dubai
Opened: 2004
Par: 72
Course type: Traditional desert-style course
Notable features: No water hazards, walkable layout

7. Abu Dhabi Golf Club

Although technically not in Dubai, Abu Dhabi Golf Club is a short 90-minute drive from the city, and is well worth the journey for any golf trip. It is one of the Middle East's most recognisable golf venues and hosts the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, one of the flagship events on the DP World Tour.

The Championship Course was designed by Peter Harradine and opened in 2000. It offers wide landing areas from the tee but demands smart strategy on approach shots due to its large, contoured greens and well-positioned bunkers. You'll need to watch out for the water hazards that appear through the layout too.

One of the club’s most famous features is its Falcon-shaped clubhouse, which has become a defining image of golf in the UAE. The closing par-5 18th, played with the iconic building behind the green, is widely praised as one of the finest finishing holes in the Middle East.

Key Facts - Abu Dhabi Golf Club

Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE
Opened: 2000
Par: 72
Course type: Parkland / desert oasis
Notable features: Former HSBC Championship host venue, water-lined closing stretch, iconic Falcon clubhouse

6. Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club

This is one of the most picturesque golf courses in Dubai, set along the Dubai Creek waterfront, with immaculate facilities. The tree-lined fairways, well-positioned bunkers, and water hazards make this course a demanding test of accuracy and course management.

The 18th is the most iconic hole on the course. Golfers play their tee shot over water before approaching a green framed by the edge of the creek.

The Yacht Club is also part of the wider Creek development, offering multiple options for dining and leisure. After you've finished your round at the Creek, enjoy the marina views from the clubhouse or one of the waterfront restaurants.

Key Facts - Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club

Location: Dubai Creek, Deira, Dubai
Opened: 1993
Par: 71
Course type: Waterfront / parkland
Notable features: Sail-shaped clubhouse, Creekside holes

5. The Els Club Dubai

The Els Club is located in Dubai Sports City and was designed by four-time Major champion Ernie Els. The wide fairways give many players a false sense of security, as the real challenge comes from the strategic bunkers and water hazards.

The desert-links design features rolling contours, expansive sandy areas and large, undulating greens inspired by classic links principles. The conditioning is consistently excellent, and the course plays firm and fast all year round.

The 7th par-5 gives stronger golfers the opportunity to reach the green in just two shots. However, you'll have to navigate the bunkers on the left and the water on the right to set up a realistic chance at a birdie, or even an eagle!

It remains one of the best golf courses in Dubai.

Key Facts - The Els Club Dubai

Location: Dubai Sports City, Dubai
Opened: 2008
Par: 72
Course type: Desert-links style
Notable features: Wide fairways, large greens

4. Faldo Course – Emirates Golf Club

The Faldo Course at Emirates Golf Club is one of Dubai’s most distinctive layouts, thanks to its redesign by six-time Major winner Sir Nick Faldo in 2005. The course features generous landing areas from the tee, but the real test begins as you approach the greens.

One of the course’s defining features is that it is Dubai’s only fully floodlit course. This means golfers can experience playing a full 18 holes under the lights well into the evening. This is extremely popular for anyone visiting on a golf trip to Dubai during the hotter months.

Key Facts - Faldo Course

Location: Emirates Golf Club, Dubai
Redesigned: 2005 (Nick Faldo)
Par: 72
Course type: Desert championship course (fully floodlit)
Notable features: Night golf, deep bunkering, elevated tees

3. Yas Links

Designed by Kyle Phillips and opened in 2010, the course sits on the western shores of Yas Island, which is just a short 1 hour 15 minute drive from Dubai. This course is an essential stop on any Dubai and Abu Dhabi golf trip. It combines firm, fast-running fairways with dramatic coastal holes shaped by natural undulations and mangrove-lined edges.

It's the first true links course in the UAE, taking inspiration from classic links layouts in Ireland and Scotland. Wind is a constant factor, especially along the closing stretch, where holes run parallel to the Arabian Gulf and demand precise club selection.

The signature hole is the par-3 17th, which plays across the water to a green set against the backdrop of the Gulf. It is one of the most photographed holes in Middle Eastern golf and is widely considered among the best par threes in the area.

Key Facts - Yas Links

Location: Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
Opened: 2010
Par: 72
Course type: Links-style coastal course
Notable features: Signature par-3 17th, strong winds, Kyle Phillips design

2. Earth Course – Jumeirah Golf Estates

The Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates is definitely one of the best golf courses in Dubai. Designed by Greg Norman and opened in 2009, it is best known as the long-term host of the DP World Tour Championship, the season-ending event on the DP World Tour.

The course has fantastic green fairways and white-sand bunkers that create one of the most distinctive visual contrasts in the region. Like many of the other golf courses in Dubai, water hazards play a strategic role throughout the back nine, particularly around the signature finishing holes.

The closing stretch from holes 15 to 18 is one of the strongest in the UAE. The par-5 18th is a sweeping hole with water running the entire length of the fairway, demanding both length and accuracy if you’re attempting to reach the green with the chance of a birdie.

Key Facts - Earth Course

Location: Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai
Opened: 2009
Par: 72
Course type: Championship parkland
Notable features: Host of the DP World Tour Championship, white bunkers, dramatic finishing holes

1. Majlis Course – Emirates Golf Club

The Majlis Course at Emirates Golf Club is the best golf course in Dubai. The combination of tournament pedigree, architectural quality and its central location in Dubai Marina make the Majlis Course an essential experience for golfers travelling to the UAE.

When the course opened 1988, it was the first golf course in the Middle East to be built with grass fairways and greens. The course design combines modern golf with natural desert landscaping, creating a layout that remains challenging and visually memorable.

The final hole is a classic par 5 that gives golfers two options. You can lay up, or attempt to reach the green in just two shots. This 18th hole is regularly highlighted during the Dubai Desert Classic and could be crucial in deciding who wins your round.

Key Facts – Majlis Course

Location: Emirates Golf Club, Dubai
Opened: 1988
Par: 72
Course type: Desert-style championship course
Notable features: Host of the Dubai Desert Classic, iconic skyline backdrop, first grass course in the Middle East

Book your Golf Trip to UAE Today

A golf vacation to UAE gives you the chance to play some of the most spectacular courses in the world in a setting you’ll remember for a lifetime. The immaculate fairways and world-class facilities make every trip feel special from start to finish.

If you're thinking of booking a golf break, you can rely on our dedicated Dubai specialists to help you choose the right courses. Get in touch with our team to start planning a personalised itinerary.