Often called the “Desert Miracle,” the Majlis was the first grass course in the Middle East and is the legendary home of the Dubai Desert Classic. Its undulating fairways wind through desert flora with a spectacular backdrop of the Dubai Marina skyline. For a stay that matches its prestige, the Vida Emirates Hills is a chic, modern boutique hotel located just minutes away, offering a sophisticated infinity pool and terrace overlooking the neighborhood’s greenery.

This iconic course is set along the banks of the creek and features a world-famous sail-shaped clubhouse. The round concludes with two of the most thrilling finishing holes in the world, where the water is a constant threat to your scorecard. The ultimate lodging partner is the Park Hyatt Dubai, a stunning Mediterranean-style sanctuary located right on the property, known for its elegant lagoon beach and award-winning Amara Spa.

This relatively new addition has quickly become a favourite for its wide, sweeping fairways and the most spectacular views of the Burj Khalifa from nearly half of its holes. It offers a “Troon-managed” level of excellence in a serene, valley-like setting. You should stay at the Address Dubai Hills, which is situated within the same estate and provides a seamless, high-end lifestyle experience with a focus on contemporary luxury and wellness.

Designed by Gil Hanse, this course features a “canyon” style layout with wide fairways guarded by massive waste areas and some of the fastest greens in the region. It is known for its high-octane luxury and incredible service. For a stay that matches the scale, the Radisson Dubai DAMAC Hills is located right on the estate, offering spacious rooms and a large pool area overlooking the golf community.

The sibling to the Earth Course, the Fire Course is a “links-style” desert layout with large bunkers and a more rugged, fiery aesthetic. It offers a faster-running challenge that rewards creative shot-making. A great base for this course is the JW Marriott Hotel Marina, which places you in one of Dubai’s trendiest districts with a dedicated shuttle service to the Jumeirah Golf Estates clubhouse.

Designed by Greg Norman and modelled after the great parkland courses of Europe and North America, the Earth Course is the permanent host of the DP World Tour Championship. It is famous for its dramatic finishing stretch, including an island-green 17th and a creek-lined 18th. To stay in the heart of the action, the Jumeirah Golf Estates Luxury Villas allow you to live like a pro on-site, featuring private pools and direct access to the clubhouse and practice facilities.

Designed by “The Big Easy” himself, Ernie Els, this course combines the feel of a traditional UK links with the beauty of a desert landscape. It features perfectly manicured Bermuda grass greens and a clubhouse that feels like a high-end country club. For a nearby stay, the Five Jumeirah Village is a vibrant, trendy hotel in JVC that offers private balcony pools and a lively social scene, perfect for post-round celebrations.

A collaboration between Colin Montgomerie and Desmond Muirhead, this links-land style course covers 265 acres of lush greenery and features massive greens and numerous lakes. It is one of the most tranquil playing experiences in the city. The definitive stay is on-site at the Address Montgomerie, an intimate 21-room boutique hotel where the rooms are designed with “stylish restraint” and offer panoramic views of the fairways.

While it is a 9-hole layout, this championship-standard course is a coastal oasis where peacocks roam the fairways and you enjoy sea views of the Arabian Gulf. It has historically served as a warm-up venue for the world’s best golfers before the Desert Classic. You must stay at JA Lake View Hotel, a modern, sustainable property within the resort that overlooks the golf course and offers a massive selection of 25 restaurants and bars.

Unique for being the only 18-hole championship course in the region fully floodlit for night golf, the Faldo course offers a “cool” and visually stunning way to play under the stars. It is tighter and more technical than the Majlis. Stay at the InterContinental Dubai Marina, which offers a sleek urban base with floor-to-ceiling windows and putting you in the heart of the city’s best nightlife after your night round.

Emirates Golf Club is the most historically significant, hosting the European Tour’s Dubai Desert Classic for decades, and its Majlis course remains a genuine test of golf in a stunning setting. Jumeirah Golf Estates, home to the season-ending DP World Tour Championship, offers two world-class layouts in the Earth and Fire courses.

Absolutely. While courses like the Earth at Jumeirah Golf Estates are set up to challenge the best professionals in the world, most venues offer multiple tee options and are very welcoming to players of all standards.

UK passport holders don’t need a visa in advance for stays of up to 30 days. Entry is granted on arrival, which makes spontaneous trip planning a lot easier. Most European Union passport holders also benefit from visa-free access or visa-on-arrival arrangements, though it’s always worth checking the current requirements for your specific nationality before you travel.

It varies quite a bit depending on the time of year and what you’re after. A long weekend including flights, a four-star hotel, and two rounds of golf can come in at around £900 to £1,400 per person if you travel in the shoulder season.