The 10 Best Golf Courses in Dubai

Experience the feel of classic British links at one of the Middle East's premier golf courses – a par-71 masterpiece. The Trump International course, co-designed by Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner, weaves a splendid canyon through the heart of the course. The canyon offers elevation changes and panoramic views throughout the course. Here you’ll admire the beauty of undulating fairways, designed to complement the natural desert contours.

Operated by The Trump Organization, and set within DAMAC Hills, the links-style fairways sprawl across a 500-acre property that, until recently, was a flat and barren desert landscape.

Strategically designed hazards, including lakes, diverse vegetation, and bunkers, invite intelligent play. Noteworthy holes include the challenging par-four 8th, featuring an elevated green, and the left-doglegged 13th, where the "island" green is completely surrounded by sands.

The Dubai Hills Championship Golf Course, a par-72 haven is the jewel of Dubai Hills and amidst one of the best golf courses in Dubai. This golf course created by lead architect Gary Johnston boasts a rugged desert landscape, providing a challenging yet picturesque experience to golfers of all levels. The course unfolds in two returning nines, each presenting a dynamic mix of elevation changes, wadi-style features, and lush lakeside landscapes. Notable holes include the strategic par-four 6th, the par-three 13th guarded by a lone Ghaf tree, and the unique split fairway challenge at the short par-four 16th.

Complemented by iconic views of the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai skyline, personalized service and attention to detail ensure you have the best time, making the Dubai Hills Golf Course one to add to your list of best golf courses in Dubai to play at.

The Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates is a course where expectations meet their match. Impeccable conditions and a motivating challenge await, ensuring an amazing golfing experience. This championship course, envisioned by Double Open Champion Greg Norman, offers a challenging journey through its fairways.

As a recurring host to the DP World Tour, the Earth Course has witnessed golfing legends such as Henrik Stenson, Lee Westwood, and Jon Rahm showcase their skills. Undoubtedly, it stands tall among the best golf courses in Dubai, providing an authentic taste of world-class golf.

The Earth Course is also the first course designed and built specifically for a championship. Showcasing sporting brilliance, the Earth Course in Jumeirah Golf Estates solidifies its place among the best golf courses in Dubai.

If you want to discover golfing excellence, the Els Club in Dubai Sports City is one of the best golf courses in Dubai. From fine-tuning your swing at the pre-round range or analyzing yourself with the advanced performance analysis at the on-site institute, offering physical screening and video insights for a polished game, the Els Club has got it all.

The Els Club presents a desert links-style course with manmade interventions, promising a thrilling golfing experience under Dubai's clear skies. This 18-hole championship course caters to golfers of all handicaps. With four tees at every hole, it provides a diverse challenge. Noteworthy water hazards at holes 7 and 15 add more character to the landscape.

The Els Club combines the best of worldwide clubs, offering a uniquely challenging yet enjoyable golfing experience for enthusiasts at all levels.

The Emirates Golf Club has always stood out with its distinctive Majlis course, featuring a remarkable Bedouin tent-styled Royal Pavilion tucked behind the 8th green. Established in 1988 by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, this was the first 18-hole grass golf course in the Middle East. The course's challenging layout, surrounded by desert dunes and punctuated by salt and freshwater hazards, tests players with large, fast greens and tricky pin positions, making it a renowned venue for the Dubai Desert Classic tournament.

Stretching over 7,301 yards with a par of 72, the Majlis course showcases memorable holes, including the daunting par three 7th requiring a carry over a lake. The closing hole, a par five, challenges players with an approach shot over yet another lake to a distinctive double green shaped like a bow tie. Notable players like Ian Woosnam and Tiger Woods have also faced the close of this course.

In essence, the Emirates Golf Club provides a unique golfing experience. With its Majlis course, challenging play, desert aesthetics, and iconic Bedouin-inspired architecture it is one of the best golf courses in Dubai.

Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, named after its waterside setting, stands as one of the best golf courses in Dubai. With fairways resembling plush carpets and uniquely positioned bunkering, it offers a golfing experience like no other. Boasting several challenging tournament tees, make it suitable for all levels of players, whether here for a Desert Classic or a holiday round.

The attention to detail, both on and off the course, exudes sheer class, creating a premium ambience that has garnered global attention since the club's opening in 1993 when golf was still in its infancy in the Middle East. The par-4 6th, featuring a tee box on stilts over the creek, adds an exciting challenge while the water-featured par-three course under floodlights makes it a memorable golf venue.

Despite its desert locale, the design ingeniously incorporates water on four holes, creating a unique and spectacular experience making it one of the best golf courses in Dubai.

The fire course at Jumeirah Golf Estates is another one of Greg Norman’s creations at Jumeirah Golf Estates Club, offering an alternative to the acclaimed Earth Course, home to the Dubai World Championships final.

Divergent in style, the Fire Course presents a links-like experience, bordered with long reed grasses along many of its holes. The use of varied grasses, sand, and surfaces provides a unique challenge to the player, heightened by exposure to the wind.

While the Fire Course is less intimidating than the Earth Course, it remains a formidable test. Visually striking, the Fire Course boasts beautiful elevation changes and undulating terrain, posing a good test of depth perception and approach distance. Recognized among the best golf courses in Dubai, the Fire Course combines Norman's design finesse with a scenic and challenging golfing experience.

Emirates Golf Club opened its second championship course in 1996 to compete with the Majlis course. Earlier named the “Wadi” and in 2006 renamed to “The Faldo” after six-time major winner Nick Faldo is a dramatic yet enjoyable course.

In this course, strategic course management becomes integral to beating its challenges. Precision and Strategic shot placement is paramount, especially on the tee.

Despite the expansive fairways and greens protected by 14 smartly positioned lakes, achieving a commendable score here remains a challenge. Attracting players to test their accuracy in every shot, the Faldo course will always remain on all golfers’ list of best golf courses in Dubai.

The first brainchild of Ian Baker-Finch with Nicklaus Design led to the making of the Arabian Ranches Golf Club. Built on an area that was previously grazing land for camels and gazelles, the links course flows over 247 acres of desert with 65 acres of it grassed and 55 acres planted with desert vegetation. The golf club underwent an extensive renovation in 2019, having all its green replaced by a desert landscape.

Ranked among the best golf courses in Dubai, this course offers five sets of tees, ensuring its suitability for golfers of all skill levels. The facility goes beyond, providing a well-lit driving range, and a par 3 academy course. This comprehensive setup not only caters to diverse skill levels but also highlights its commitment to delivering a top-tier golfing experience in Dubai.

Spread across 265 acres, the Montgomerie Golf Club stands proudly among the best golf courses in Dubai. Built with an imaginative touch by architect Desmond Muirhead, this expansive course is a fusion of Scottish link meets the Arabian desert. The 18 holes, occupying almost half of the vast area, present a championship layout with vast green complexes.

A notable feature is the 13th hole, where the green takes the shape of the UAE, to its creative design. Beyond the course, the clubhouse enhances the experience with over 20 guest rooms and a pool, offering off-course luxuries to golf enthusiasts.

The Montgomerie's layout is an open and robust testament to Muirhead's architectural prowess, with 49 acres submerged under 14 manmade lakes and a third designated as beautifully landscaped gardens. This unique combination of design elements and luxurious amenities solidifies the Montgomerie Golf Club as a premier destination among the best golf courses in Dubai.

In Dubai’s golfing landscape, these 10 golf courses distinguish themselves from the rest, offering not just a game, but a challenging and memorable journey. These golf courses are more than just pristine fairways; they prove the city's commitment to providing excellence in this sport. With a blend of world-class courses, international championships and a vibrant community of golf enthusiasts, Dubai has elevated its status as a golfing hub.

As the sun sets on each round, leaving behind the echoes of well-struck shots and unforgettable moments, it's clear that these courses redefine what it means to play among the best in Dubai. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a casual player, these golf courses stand out as the best in Dubai, offering an unmatched experience.