All you need to know about golf in Abu Dhabi and what else there is to do in the United Arab Emirates.
This week welcomes the opening event of the 2020 Rolex Series – the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship presented by EGA – with players battling to become the first Rolex Series champion of the season.
Played at Abu Dhabi Golf Club, last year saw Shane Lowry take home the spoils in the Rolex Series opener before going on to win the 147th Open Championship.
In 2020 the Rolex Series will visit seven different countries ranging from Scotland’s east coast to the baking hot South Africa.
So, let’s take a closer a look at Abu Dhabi.
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
The Emirati capital, Abu Dhabi, is built on an island in the Arabian Sea and offers a much calmer, relaxing city experience than its much larger neighbour Dubai, which is just an hour’s drive away.
Whether it be the magnificent mosques or the modern museums, Abu Dhabi welcomes all tourists to explore its culture.
Abu Dhabi weather
The United Arab Emirates offers year-round sunshine with sparse rainfall, which is why it is such a popular holiday destination among holidaymakers and golfers alike.
During the summer (June to September) temperatures tend to average around 40°C, and peak in August. Between November and April is when the UAE is most pleasant as temperatures hover around 24°C during the day and rarely dip below 10°C at night.
Golf in Abu Dhabi
The United Arab Emirates is home to many impressive golf courses and none more so than Abu Dhabi Golf Club, which hosts this week’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship presented by EGA.
When you take into account the high-rise building backdrop, lush fairways, immaculate greens and the iconic Falcon Clubhouse, you understand why this course has hosted the championship for 15 consecutive years.
There are plenty more courses carved out of the desert and along spectacular coastlines too, such as Yas Links and Saadiyat Beach Golf Club to name but a few.
The latter was the region’s first ocean course and was designed by the legendary Gary Player, who was inspired by the beauty of Saadiyat Island’s stunning white beaches. Yas Links is nestled on the western shores of Yas Island and offers sparkling coastline views of the Arabian Gulf, with eight holes running along the majestic coastline.
You can also find a number of exceptional courses just an hour’s drive down the road in Dubai. If it is a European Tour course you’re looking to play then look no further than the Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates – a European Tour destination. As the proud host of the European Tour’s Race to Dubai-ending DP World Tour Championship, this course has seen some truly memorable moments from the world’s best golfers.
As well as the Earth Course, Jumeirah Golf Estates is also home to the Fire Course – another longstanding favourite in the region. The Greg Norman design exists in harmony with the natural desert landscape and is a great test for golfer’s of all ability.
Just a few minutes down the road you will find another European Tour destination – Emirates Golf Club. This club is home to two 18 hole golf courses in the Faldo Course and the Majlis Course and is the host venue of the European Tour’s Omega Dubai Desert Classic.
Finally, Dubai Creek & Yacht Club is another European Tour venue and without a doubt a stand-out feature in the region. The par 71 golf course has previously hosted the Dubai Desert Classic on two occasions and offers an unforgettable journey around its creek and various lakes.
To find out more about how you can book your golf trip to Dubai, visit our European Tour Destinations Travel Hub here.
Three things you should do in Abu Dhabi
There is an abundance of things to do in Abu Dhabi when you’re not visiting one of the many world-class golf courses.
Most visitors will visit the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, also known as The Grand Mosque, which is arguably one of Abu Dhabi’s most famous attractions. The white marble walls, intricately detailed domes and stunning decoration are something to behold. It is also the world’s largest mosque and can fit a staggering 40,000 people inside it.
If you want to escape the bustling cities, a desert safari should be top of your list of experiences. Safaris can be done during the day, in the evening and even overnight with activities such as dune bashing, sandboarding, camel riding and watching the beautiful desert sunset all part of the experience
Just a 30-minute drive from Abu Dhabi city centre is Yas Island – home to Ferrari World, Warner Brothers World and Yas Waterworld. Ferrari World is based at the famous Yas Marina Circuit, which hosts the annual F1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where racing fans take part in track days through driver or passenger experiences. If water sports are your thing though, Yas Waterworld is perfect for you as it spans the area of 15 football pitches with 43 rides, slides and attractions.
How to get there
Abu Dhabi International Airport is located around 38km south-east of the city centre and is serviced by numerous international airports. Alternatively, there are numerous cruises that dock in Abu Dhabi at the Mina Zayed cruise terminal.
