Area guide: Abu Dhabi, UAE
Golf in Abu Dhabi: Saadiyat Beach
A Gary Player design with a nice mix of gulf-side holes and inland ones.
A short drive from Yas along the E12 motorway that links the islands dotted around Abu Dhabi is Saadiyat Beach.
There is something of a Lee Sharpe syndrome here, with Yas Links playing the role of Ryan Giggs.
Because despite miles of coastline in the UAE there are almost no water’s-edge courses. In fact there are none in Dubai while Al Zorah in Ajman and Tower Links in Ras Al Khaimah are in mangroves rather than beachside.
So without Yas, Saadiyat would stand out even more and would probably be even more revered than it is.
This Gary Player design mixes strong, exceptionally well-bunkered holes among residences along with spectacular seaside ones. The views on those are as good as those at Yas Links but there are much fewer of them as a result of far more residences.
The front nine has several stand-out holes with sea views and on the back nine there is a splendid gulf-side stretch including one of the top par 3s in the Middle East.
Saadiyat has several fine hotels on its doorstep and we recommend the Jumeirah Saadiyat Island Resort. It’s brand new and notable for its elegance and refinement as opposed to some of the more garish hotels over there.
Needless to say the rooms are stylish and well-equipped and many overlook the pool and beach. The beach is a huge positive, just a minute’s walk from the hotel and offering as much cliched white sand and turquoise water as you could want.
It’s so easy to lose a day here and do little more than wander up to the hotel’s Italian restaurant for a light but memorable lunch.
I say ‘light’ because there is every chance you will have gone crazy at breakfast – it’s so good it gives the Westin’s a run for its money, and you know much we loved it…
At night, dine in Lebanese restaurant Tean for spicy meats and sides packed with flavour. Then retire up to the top-floor bar for some funky cocktails that even a millennial finds amusing.
The next day you might like to burn off some of those calories in the comprehensive gym. Or perhaps just relax in the spa. Finally, we found the staff at Jumeirah SIR the best in Abu Dhabi.
Golf in Abu Dhabi: Travel essentials
When to go
It is perfect from October to March, when ours is at its worst. And you don’t even get cloudy days either; it genuinely is day after day of sunshine and temperatures above 20C.
From May to August, don’t even consider it unless you don’t mind being indoors for most of the day. By then, it is too hot for any sane person to play golf in – or even lie by the pool!
Where to stay
We’ve given you two bases – and it wouldn’t be a bad idea to use both. It just depends what you want from your hotel.
Jumeirah Saadiyat Island Resort has the advantage of a fabulous beach and superb restaurants while Westin Abu Dhabi is convenient for the airport and downtown as well as being a minute’s walk from the 1st tee.
Price point
The courses and the weather might be easy to predict, but this is a pleasant surprise positive. It’s not cheap, but it is cheaper than you think it will be. That extends to both getting there – I got a flight for £280 last year, and was quoted similar for a return train fare from Leeds to London – and the accommodation. A three-star hotel by Abu Dhabi standards is plenty nice enough for most so feel confident booking one of those if you don’t treat yourself and go for the excellence we have recommended. Green fees aren’t inexpensive and neither is alcohol, but otherwise you won’t be shocked by what you’re paying out.
The journey
This is easier than you think too. It is technically a long-haul flight but with a tail wind I’ve got there in little more than six hours – which is a very good exchange for the wonderful weather you enjoy while there. An extra word on flight prices; I’ve not worked out why this inset, but the prices seem to rise in their summer, when you wouldn’t want to go there. We can just be happy when we do want to go, it is cheap if you book ahead. Taxis are very cheap so you probably don’t need a hire car.
Off-course attractions
Visit: Ferrari World, Waterworld and Yas Mall on Yas Island.
Get active: By kayaking in the mangroves or cycling (for free) around the F1 track.
Eat and drink: Abu Dhabi has an incredible array of restaurants, usually part of the hotels but also in a cluster on Saadiyat and Yas.
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Chris Bertram
Chris Bertram is a specialist in all things golf courses.
He was born and brought up in Dumfriesshire and has been a sports journalist since 1996, initially as a junior writer with National Club Golfer magazine.
Chris then spent four years writing about football and rugby union for the Press Association but returned to be Editor and then Publisher of NCG.
He has been freelance since 2010 and spends the majority of his time playing golf and writing about the world’s finest golf courses.
