Emirates Golf Club (Majlis Course)
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About
Home of the Dubai Desert Classic and an undeniably thrilling challenge
The Majlis Course at Emirates Golf Club is the 1988 brainchild of American designer Karl Litten, who made the most of the abundant flora and fauna by weaving the narrow fairways through the natural landscape beautifully. The inclusion of both fresh and saltwater lakes and the appearance of the Majlis building between the 8th and 9th holes make it one of the most recognisable and revered golf courses in the world.
The course plays long at 7,301 yards from the back tees, and it's designed to reward 'perfect' shots. Finding the narrow, impeccably maintained fairways and the small, lightning-quick greens is less a matter of planning than it is of accuracy. Greenside bunkers can be so deep as to demand a ladder to escape, and while there's a distinct lack of outrageous contouring, the greens tend to have a consistent slope that puts a premium on ending up below the hole.
The Front Nine
For those of us that watch a lot of professional golf on TV, it's an undeniable thrill to play the Majlis Course, although you may not be so enamoured of the state of your scorecard by the end. At the dogleg par-4 first, the need to carry your long approach over the bunker that protects the entire front side of the green is an indication of the challenges ahead.
After the more straightforward 2nd, the dead straight long par-5 that follows offers up a birdie opportunity for those that can stay straight off the tee and avoid the deep bunker just in front of the green, ready to punish any over-optimistic attempts to reach it in two.
The first par 3, just 180 yards from the back, will again punish anything off line, as there's a lake to the right and sand to the left, while the 5th demands a subtle draw off the tee to leave a nervy approach over water, albeit with a surprisingly generous margin for error.
Finding the narrow green in regulation at the long par-4 that follows will require a perfect fade to avoid the wrap-around bunker that has no doubt seen its fair share of action, before another shortish par-3 jangles the nerves with its water carry to a green guarded by bunkers beyond.
The 8th is a real highlight, the stunning city backdrop setting the scene for an attractive tee shot played over the desert to a fairway that gently curves and rises to the right. While the front of the putting surface is unprotected, six deep greenside bunkers lurk for any slight miscue, and the severe undulations make a three-putt a definite possibility.
The front nine wraps up with another great par-4 whose fairway snakes around a lake, making for a very tough approach to the thin sliver of a green which slopes towards the water. A subtle draw offers the safest route in, but there's almost no room for error, with a deep bunker ready to ensnare anything too conservative.
The Back Nine
The challenges keep coming during thick and fast during the back nine at the Majlis Course at Emirates Golf Club. The green at the long, straight par-5 10th is memorable ringed on all sides by a trio of bunkers, and four more sand traps protect the generous green at the short par-3 that follows. The 12th, with its unprotected green, may seem easier, but it's actually the second hardest hole on the course, often playing like a par-5 due to its long, uphill fairway and tricky, elevated green.
The par-5 13th offers an exciting risk/reward proposition from the tee. Cutting the corner and finding the narrow fairway should leave you in good shape to reach the green in two, although with a bunker in front, a lake to the right, and a tricky two-tier putting surface, even the best drive won't guarantee a birdie.
Anything to the left of the green at the final par-3, the 190-yard 15th, will face a tricky escape from the sandy waste that runs from tee to green, so conservatism is probably the order of the day, and if you can thread your second through the narrow gap in the trees on approach to the 16th there's an opportunity to pick up a shot.
The 17th is a driveable par-4, but for most of us the risk will outweight the reward. A straight drive and a controlled wedge is the way to go, as ending up in the sandy wasteland can cause all sorts of problems.
The final hole, witness to many a great finish to a Dubai Desert Classic, might just be the best. This par-5 doglegs almost 90 degrees to the left, with the wind dictating how much of the corner it's adviseable to cut off. Make the fairway and you're left with the classic choice: reach for the fairway wood and attempt to play an improbable second to the green, or take the sensible option and lay up.
Many a golfer has been swayed by the plaque in the fairway commemorating Colin Montgomerie's peerless use of the driver from the fairway to win the 1996 event at the death. It's not clear how he pulled it off, as any such shot must clear the lake in front of the green while avoiding running into the bunker behind. If any shot deserves a plaque, it's that one. For most of us, the best move is to lay up and take a wedge into the green, ideally ending up below the hole to leave an uphill putt with a view of the city skyline to cap an experience that will live long in the memory, regardless of the state of your scorecard.
The Facilities
Away from the course itself, there are world-class practice facilities, including a swing analysis studio, practice greens, driving range and even a floodlit par-3 academy course. The extensive facilities at the large clubhouse feature two restaurants, a cafe and a sports bar, as well as a pro shop, but realistically these are little more than a footnote when the course itself is such a strong draw.
Given the quality of the sister course of the Majlis, the Faldo Course, it's clear that no Dubai golf holiday is complete without a trip to the Emirates Golf Club.
Reviews
Great Experience
Playing the Emirates (Majlis) was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I could play with my son as part of his graduation gift. The course was in decent condition and had some maintenance during play.Best golf experience ever!
Course was in outstanding condition with stunning views all round. Tough test of golf but made easier if choosing to play from forward tees.Top service all round
Course looked fantastic but good luck with the pace of the greens. So fast 😂 Clubhouse, practice range, bar area all really goodCourse Info
Key Facts
Notable Awards
Amenities
Scorecard Summary
Tee | Par | Length | CR | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Black | 72 | 7301 yds | 75.3 | 143 |
Blue | 72 | 6896 yds | 73.6 | 139 |
White | 72 | 6532 yds | 71.9 | 135 |
Red (W) | 72 | 5568 yds | 72.9 | 131 |
Technical Difficulty
Handicap Requirements
There are no handicap requirements at Emirates Golf Club (Majlis Course).
Prices
Green Fees
20 Nov 24 - 08 Dec 24 | Mo - Th | Fr - Su |
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| 18 Holes + Shared Cart | from | from |
09 Dec 24 - 05 Jan 25 | Mo - Th | Fr - Su |
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| 18 Holes | from | from |
06 Jan 25 - 09 Feb 25 | Mo - Th | Fr - Su |
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| 18 Holes | from | from |
10 Feb 25 - 15 Feb 25 | Mo - Th | Fr - Su |
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| 18 Holes + Shared Cart | from | from |
16 Feb 25 - 30 Apr 25 | Mo - Th | Fr - Su |
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| 18 Holes + Shared Cart | from | from |
01 May 25 - 31 May 25 | Mo - Th | Fr - Su |
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| 18 Holes + Shared Cart | from | from |
Course Location
Address
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Weather Forecast for Emirates Golf Club (Majlis Course)
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