Emirates Golf Club - Faldo

Under floodlights, The Faldo Course takes on a different character, with the fairways and greens picked out against the Dubai evening and a full 18 holes still in play long after the heat has eased. At 7,328 yards, it is a proper championship examination rather than a short novelty round. Sir Nick Faldo’s refurbishment gave the layout a strategic edge, particularly from the tee, where bunkers can distort the eye and invite the wrong line. The ground has more movement than many first expect in Dubai, having been shaped through naturally rugged terrain rather than laid across a flat site. A wadi follows parts of the course and, though it is not formally a hazard, can still punish a careless shot. Water appears regularly too, while the greens demand close attention to pace and position. Distance helps, but thoughtful club selection and a sensible route from the tee usually matter more.

The course is kept in strong condition and provides enough variety to hold the interest of lower handicap players without making the round joyless for those with more shots. It is part of Emirates Golf Club, where the second championship course and nine-hole par-three layout offer useful alternatives for an extra round or a gentler start to the trip. Practice can continue away from the course at the on-site Topgolf venue, which has three levels of hitting bays and more than 300 digital screens. The club sits in Dubai, placing a serious evening round within reach of the city’s restaurants, bars and hotels, while the floodlit Faldo Course makes it possible to organise the day around more than just the first tee time.