YOUR COMPLETE GUIDE TO GOLF COURSES IN IRELAND

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) comprises seven emirates in the Middle East; Dubai, the most famous of the lot when it comes to golf, followed by Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Fajairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm al-Quwain.

Bordering Oman and Saudi Arabia, the UAE is extremely rich in oil and has benefited hugely as such. However, the oil supplies will eventually dry out and officials have set their sights on making UAE, Dubai especially, as the No.1 holiday destination in the world. The UAE is, in fact, the richest Muslim country in the world and it shows. Dubai, namely, is constantly changing its appearance and golf is a major part of its investment in the future.

In this part of the world, nothing is hidden or held back from full view and, quite simply, the locals just don’t do things by half measures (you can buy a Mercedes Benz at the airport, which says it all!).

Golf, however, in either Abu Dhabi or Dubai is a treat in itself. Prices for flights are coming down all the time as popularity grows and  more golf courses are opening up every year just to cater for the demand. Colin Montgomerie recently opened his new course to great acclaim and the adjacent club hotel puts many leading five-star hotels back home in the UK to shame. Visiting golfers are treated like kings and the golf course themselves are always in immaculate condition. Many of the venues are either current hosts and previous hosts to European Tour events so don’t expect to be hit with tourist-built golf course that’s anything but a challenge. These courses are long, spectacular on the eye, tough and involve superior course management from the first hole to the last. The world’s leading golfers love coming to the UAE and it’s easy to see why.

In short, for the ultimate in complete golfing luxury and over-indulgence, this is just the place.