Emirates Golf Club - Majlis

The Majlis asks a serious question at the eighth, a 459 yard par 4 that bends right and rises towards a small, heavily contoured green. Rated stroke index 3 from the back markers, it makes a good drive only the beginning of the job, with a long approach that needs to hold its line and distance. This is a par 72 of 7,293 yards from the black tees, though the 6,896 yard blue, 6,532 yard white and 5,568 yard red options make the course accessible to mixed groups without losing its character. Karl Litten’s design uses tall dunes, natural desert planting and seven lakes, including freshwater and saltwater, to put definition around the fairways. Dubai’s skyline is never far from view, giving the round a distinctly urban desert setting.

Opened in 1988 as Dubai’s first fully grassed championship course, the Majlis has the pedigree of a venue used for the Dubai Desert Classic and Dubai Ladies Masters, yet it remains a course where good positioning matters as much as length. The clubhouse takes its architectural cue from a Bedouin tent settlement, providing a fitting place to settle after the round. There is plenty to occupy golfers beyond the Majlis itself. The Faldo Course runs to 7,328 yards, with water hazards and demanding greens, and can be played after dark. A 9 hole par three course offers a shorter hit, while the on site Topgolf has three levels of hitting bays and more than 300 digital screens.