Abu dhabi golf club - 16 POINTS
This is a perfectly nice golf course. It's not too tight, not too penal and (as all the courses seem to be in this part of the world) was presented in great fashion. It is dominated by the iconic clubhouse which both 9 and 18 play towards and it makes for a spectacular end to both 9s.
The course is managed by Troon Golf who seemed to do a pretty good thing keeping things going. There was a fog delay on the morning of the day we played which had backed things up but they managed the situation well. The practice facilities were good - hitting off grass and the green was a good reflection of what was to come on the course. The group in front of us weren't really golfers (one player failed to make contact with the ball on the 1st tee) but the marshals moved them along when needed.
Water is very much a feature on the course - coming into play on 9 holes - but don't worry too much about that as it’s relatively easy to play around. There weren't a huge number of long carries from the 6,700 yard tees and while it made you think we didn't find the water on too many occasions. It is the water that gives many holes definition as the trees are set well back from the fairways. The rough is usually pretty benign too, having said that, for the HSBC Championship a couple of weeks before the rough had been much thicker which would made the course play a lot harder.
As for notable holes, the par 3 12th is a great hole over the water to a wall defended by bunkers on the other 3 sides.The 18th makes for a great finish - a long par 5 with a green which is probably 5 clubs difference front to back - well worth paying attention to the pin position.
The course is absolutely fine and would not disgrace any golf trip and playing up to that clubhouse is pretty speciall! However there are better courses in the UAE for sure. Yas Links, also in Abu Dhabi, is probably the cream of the crop. It’s an incredible feat of engineering - a links experience in the desert. However if you want the Tour Experience it’s worth stopping off at Abu Dhabi Golf club to see what all the fuss is about.
BOOKING THE COURSE
Everything was bookable online here. The course costs 526 Dirham (£112) to play but this can vary depending on various deals and how close to playing you book. There is also a short course which is floodlit should fancy some evening golf, especially useful in the sweltering summer months.
Prices correct as of August 2023.
TOUR TIPS
Firstly, if you are looking for a trip combining Dubai and potentially watching the pros at the Desert Classic then look at my write-up of our trip here as we did just that.
Dubai is only an hour away so it is perfectly possible to combine both states in a trip here. If you are staying in Abu Dhabi then I would thoroughly recommend a round at the spectacular Yas Links - a real masterpiece from Kyle Philips which holds its own in the world's top 100 golf courses. Saadiyat Beach is a more resort like place but perfectly fun too.
Green fees at all of these are expensive so this is one of those occasions where you may well be better going on an organised package with one of the tour operators like Golfbreaks.com or Yourgolftravel.com as you will probably save a few pounds and quite a few phone calls!
CONTACT DETAILS
Abu Dhabi Golf Club
Sas Al Nakhl
Umm Al NAR
Abu Dhabi
United Arab Emirates
Email: golfreservation@adgolfclub.ae
Phone: +971 2 558 8990
Web: https://www.abudhabigolfclub.abudhabi/
