Shedding light on golf in the dark

We throw some light on the growing popularity of night golf, especially with summer looming.

Night golf is a completely unique experience of the game. Imagine an innovative evening of golf featuring luminous balls and lit fairways to challenge even the most talented players in the dark. Night golf tests all of a golfer's skills and talents, as it is so much more difficult to judge distances.

The night golf evenings are a great spectacle and presents a whole new golfing experience with players playing in darkness with just the lights of the fairway to guide their round.

With no crowds, less heat and extra fun, playing golf at night is the perfect fit for the busy golfing enthusiast. No longer will golf time have to compete with work time during the day. Now you can complete your work with ease and know that the golf course is still waiting for you even late at night. Plus you get the added excitement of challenging your game in a whole new dark environment. You've played golf in the day a million times. Now it's time to up your game and see how well you can do with golf at night.

The fully floodlit 18-hole Faldo Course extends play from 5pm until midnight every day of the week, with players able to tee off as late as 7.45pm for 18 holes and 9.55pm for nine holes, enabling golfers to enjoy a full round of 18 hole championship golf in the heart of Dubai.

Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club feature a nine-hole, fully floodlit course that enables play well into the evening, offering great rates throughout the summer months.

Some Par-3 courses can also be played at night and can help golfers develop their short game. I've played the Arabian Ranches Par-3 course a few times at night in the Women's Golf Middle East Par-3 Series and there is definitely a fun factor to night golf. I do lose more balls than I would during daytime golf and should probably opt for the glow-in-the-dark balls next time.

Different ballgame

Some golfers admit it takes a while to get used to seeing their shadow on the greens and it's sometimes hard to follow the flight of the ball. Then again, during the day the sun beats down on you. It's really different dynamics at night.

Some golf courses in other countries offer night golf in complete darkness as part of corporate team building and charity events, while glow sticks are used to mark the tees, fairways, greens, and hazards. I don't know of any such events that have been held in the UAE and it would be interesting to know how golfers experience playing in complete darkness without floodlights, instead lighting up the fairway with glow sticks and other special lighting devices for night golf. Maybe something we will pursue in the near future as part of a special fun event!!

Rules to Night Golf

Rule 1 - Don't lose your golf ball

Rule 2 - Don't lose your clubs

If you follow the two rules and get through the holes, then you win!!! Well not really!

It's really peaceful, you get in a little practice and enjoy a pretty night.