Dubai has more good golf per square kilometre than almost anywhere outside the United States. Here is the honest ranking from the perspective of someone who actually plays them.
Emirates Golf Club, Majlis Course
The original. Home of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, the most photographed clubhouse in the region, and the course that put Dubai on the world golf map. The Majlis is fair but demanding, with the famous par five eighteenth ending in front of the clubhouse. If you only play one round in Dubai, play this.
Jumeirah Golf Estates, Earth Course
Home of the DP World Tour Championship and the season finale every November. Designed by Greg Norman, with the most spectacular finishing hole in the country. The Fire Course next door is the more playable sister.
Dubai Hills Golf Club
The newest of the championship courses, designed by European Golf Design. Quiet, scenic, and the practice facility is the best in the city. Membership is mostly residents of Dubai Hills Estate and their guests, but the daily fee is open.
Trump International Golf Club Dubai
Inside Damac Hills. The course is a serious Gil Hanse design, the clubhouse is enormous, and the par three twelfth is one of the best holes in the country. Greens are consistently the fastest in Dubai.
Arabian Ranches Golf Club
Ian Baker Finch and Nicklaus design, mature trees, and one of the most relaxed atmospheres in the city. The clubhouse restaurant is a favourite even if you are not playing.
Address Montgomerie Dubai
Colin Montgomerie design in Emirates Hills. Wide fairways, generous greens, and the easiest of the championship courses to score on, which is why corporate days love it.
The Track Meydan
The only floodlit eighteen hole course in the city, open until midnight. Perfect for weekday evenings in the cooler months when daylight runs out before you can get a full round in.
Al Badia Golf Club
On the creek side of town, less hyped, very playable, and one of the best value rounds in the city.
A quick note on memberships
The big four (Emirates, Jumeirah, Dubai Hills, Trump) all have multi club packages through Dubai Golf or the Address group. If you live in Dubai Hills, Arabian Ranches, Jumeirah Golf Estates or Damac Hills, your community membership unlocks the home course for a fraction of the open rate. That is also one of the strongest reasons golf course communities hold their value, which we covered in the waterfront and golf course communities piece.
If you are buying a home on or near a course and you want a candid view on which course suits your game and your investment goals, we are happy to walk it with you.