With multiple golf courses spread across the city, Abu Dhabi stands as a premier destination for golf within the United Arab Emirates. Teeing off here means entering a world where top-class course design, five-star hospitality, and stunning natural landscapes come together to redefine the game in true style. While the iconic Yas Links is often regarded as the finest course in the country, it is by no means the only standout. Read on to discover the very best golf experiences Abu Dhabi has to offer.
Yas Links
Frequently ranked as the number one golf course not only in Abu Dhabi but across the UAE, this Kyle Phillips-designed course features generous fairways that offer forgiveness off the tee, along with expertly crafted landscaping.
The fairways play quick and the greens run true, making Yas Links a remarkably faithful interpretation of a traditional links course, despite its location far from the coastal UK climates where such courses typically originate. Its similarity to Castle Stuart in Scotland is also uncanny. This achievement is a testament to the initial vision behind Abu Dhabi’s golf emergence and the resources that have allowed it to grow. The only aspect of the course that does not fully align with traditional links standards is the bunkers, which use a type of sand not typically found on authentic links courses.
The course does feature some epic holes, however, with particular standouts such as the long par-5 seventh. The front nine presents views of the water from almost every hole, while the back nine begins with the fun-filled 10th – a drivable par 4 lulling you into a false sense of security before being presented with an incredibly tricky green.
The final stretch is a joy to behold – 16, 17 and 18 all offering various highlights. The 16th is arguably the easiest of the finishing stretch, with some players choosing to take a shortcut over the water, despite most ending up in said water. The 17th is a sumptuous par-3 with water up the left, while the 18th is one of the most difficult finishing holes on any course in the country: a comically challenging par-5 flanked by water up the entirety of the lefthand side, before an isolated green which you must hit from a thin strip of fairway. Many dreams of a healthy score have been dashed on this harrowing hole.
As the 96th-ranked course in the world’s top 100, Yas Links is a truly world-class course.
Saadiyat Beach Golf Club
This Gary Player-designed course was groundbreaking in the sense that it was the Arabian Gulf’s first beachfront golf facility. Established in 2010, the fairways and greens furnish players with unparalleled ocean views and the club is one of the only courses where walking simply isn’t allowed – the sheer distance covered means buggies are the only option; otherwise, walking would slow down play too much.
The greens on this captivating course are very, very fast but in excellent condition – a testament to the groundskeeping staff considering the extreme temperatures. There are also some extremely tricky holes – given its location on the coast and the UAE’s desert landscape, almost every hole is flanked by sand, meaning you need to be on top of your game.
The par-3 sixth is a particular highlight. 236 yards from the back tees – or 170 yards from the whites for those of us who don’t enjoy punishing ourselves – the exceptionally laid-out hole is a masterpiece of design. Surrounded by white dunes, the cerulean waters of the Arabian Gulf are also on display down the left-hand side before you are met with the raised green, again surrounded by expertly designed bunkers.
The tenth, appropriately nicknamed The Mousetrap, is a deceptively short par-4, just 262 yards from the white tees. The green is easily achievable for mid-to-long-range hitters, but beware, danger lurks in pretty much every direction. Beach and sea present themselves along the left, while the two-tiered green is bordered by deep bunkers.
Another true standout, the course has swallowed up even the most ardent professional before. Take it on at your peril.
Abu Dhabi Golf Club
This well-presented course stands out for its 9th and 18th holes, which both play towards the clubhouse, providing an inspiring end to both nines.
The course features plenty of water, which will keep players on their toes, but it’s easily navigable once you understand the design. With not too much in the way of trees to impede your shots – the tree line is set quite far back from the fairway on most holes – the course is fairly playable in most areas, with only a few tricky rough patches.
Notable holes include the par-3 12th, which forces players to hit across 175 yards of open water. A smooth 7 iron should see you over, but the bunkers to the right, as well as off the back of the green, can see even the slightest deviation punished. The par-5 18th provides a challenging end to the round, which features a heavy dog-leg right and a green guarded by two bunkers at the front. Makeable in three, it’s probably in your best interest to aim long instead of short on your approach to the green.
Another exceptional string to the UAE’s golf course bow, Abu Dhabi Golf Club represents a fun experience in outstanding surroundings.
Yas Acres Golf and Country Club
Despite its status as a 9-hole course, Yas Acres is a standout on the Abu Dhabi golf course circuit. Located in the heart of the Yas Acres community, the course offers challenging holes set against a pleasing backdrop.
Floodlighting allows for night golf, while the par-36 course features several eye-catching holes across its 3,700 yards. Among them is the opening hole, a 543-yard challenge that tests players immediately out of the clubhouse. With both sand and water in play over the first 180 yards, an accurate drive is essential. The hole becomes more forgiving once this initial section is negotiated, ending with a lightly guarded green.
The 238-yard par-3 third is drivable, but a well-placed bunker at the front of the green adds a layer of difficulty. Meanwhile, the par-5 ninth offers a strong scoring opportunity for those aiming to finish at par. Avoiding the bunkers on the right is crucial, after which players face a choice: big hitters can attempt to reach the green in two with a wood, while the more conservative hitter may prefer to lay up to avoid the creek that cuts across the fairway.
The facility also provides the largest driving range in Abu Dhabi and a couple of convenient chipping greens, as well as chipping bunkers and a large putting green – ideal to iron out any kinks in your game before the round begins. With access to padel courts, a gym, a swimming pool, a modern clubhouse and three restaurants, Yas Acres Golf and Country Club offers an exceptional choice for those who value an all-encompassing active lifestyle.
