GWD_MAY_16

COURSES
Arabic word for ‘valley’. But it was redesigned
significantly in 2005 by Sir Nick
Faldo. A natural wadi runs the length of
the course and is in play without being
classified as a hazard. Allied to its 7,000
yards, more water in play and an exacting
modern design, it is no baby sister to the
older, more famous Majlis. There is more
slope on the Faldo greens if it staged the
Desert Classic, the scores might be higher.
Stand-out holes include the par-5 5th,
where you have to avoid water all the way
along the hole as you make your way to an
elevated green. It’s very difficult to get on
in two and the wise play is a lay-up on the
left. The short par-4 4th also has water
on the right and the 6th drives over it.
There are more houses on the Faldo
compared to the Majlis but for most of
the time you are taking your line off a
skyscraper – which must be amusing for
long-time Dubai residents, who will recall
playing here when there was absolutely
nothing on the horizon. Finally, it is also
Dubai’s only full-scale floodlit course.
Al Badia
This Robert Trent Jones Jnr course might
quietly be the most challenging in Dubai.
There is a lot of water and for the high
handicapper it is a tough ask.
Located close to the airport, in a northeasterly
direction, it staged a Challenge
Tour event a few years ago and although
it was breezy, even those talented players
found it difficult. It is especially poorly
protected from the wind, as there are not
as many trees as at Emirates or Jumeirah.
Being open to the elements and narrow
in places, it is punishing on wayward shots
in terms of finding your ball; there are a
couple of stretches on both nines where
some seriously big numbers are on.
The Montgomerie
The total opposite to Al Badia. If you’ve
played at Al Badia and been bruised by the
experience, head here to heal your wounds.
It is very open, which allows you to
spray it around a bit and still find your
ball. Located just a few minutes drive
(unless you get lost, as it is awkward!)
from the Emirates club, it was the first
‘community’ course with housing around
The Faldo course can be
played day or night thanks
to full floodlighting.
OFF THE
COURSE
It’d be crazy
to go to
Dubai and do
nothing but
play golf....
Dubai is technically
an ‘emirate’, but you
should think of it as
an extraordinary
city. There is so
much to see and do
here that we
strongly advise you
let Golf Dubai Plus
use their expertise
to put together your
itinerary for you.
Start with the
shopping malls,
which make ours
look like after-
thoughts; if there is
someone in your
party who likes to
shop, they will be
happy for hours...
These are very shiny
affairs, but if you
like more traditional
experiences, there
are also lots of
small-but-neat
‘souks’, where
bargains can be
had without the
craziness usually
associated with
them. Make a trip up
the world’s tallest
building, the Burj
Khalifa. The view is
sensational – it is
so tall it wobbles
slightly in the wind!
For a majestic aerial
view of Dubai take
to the air with
SeaWings.
What about a few
hours on the slopes?
Dubai has a huge ski
arena, with five
different levels.
Maybe you’d prefer
a day at the horse
races; in this land
of Sheikh owners,
Meydan is excellent.
At night, take a
dinner cruise on
Bateaux Dubai and
enjoy top-class fare
while taking in the
sights as the boat
tours the creek.
May 2016 Golf World
115