Golf Course review: The Els Club, Dubai

I can still remember the photograph published just a couple of years ago.

The Big Easy himself was standing on a patch of sand, a concentrated stare into the distance mixed with his trademark grin.

The stretch of harsh desert terrain that he was peering into was to become the very first Els Club, a course he himself said would be championship standard.

The superlatives continued when Els hosted a media day last year, saying the likes of Tiger Woods and Greg Norman would “have to go a long way to beat this golf course''.

So it was with great excitement and a little curiousity that I approached The Els Club - situated in the middle of the construction chaos that is Dubai Sports City - after all, the course's own website describes it as a ‘desert links'.

Howling gale force winds, dangerous dog legs and undulating fairways are my impressions of a typical links course.

These images could not have been further from my mind as I smashed (and duffed) a few balls down the pristine green practice area in the intense Dubai heat.

But believe it or not, a links course it is, and even on a scorching hot day, the Els Course had its own summer surprise.

Wind.

Ok, so you're not going to encounter swirling storms blowing in off the Atlantic coast, but there is certainly wind. And more than enough to make you have to play to the conditions.

On more than one occasion my gung ho (or fearless and brave) approach to golf saw me misjudging distances as I happily sent the ball skywards, only to have it hold up in the wind and fall 15 yards short of the green, or be pushed right of the green.

But its not just the wind that makes this a challenging course.

The teasing dog legs that encourage you to drag out the driver to take on the bend when you really should be tipping your hat to safety, the cavernous St Andrews style pot hole bunkers and the endless succession of sloping greens mean you genuinely have to think your way around the course.

That was evidenced by the performance of my playing partner who was conceding a good 100 yards a hole to me from the tee, but whose methodical approach ensured he beat me by at least 5 shots.

The third hole is a classic example of everything that is good about the course. A wide fairway gives plenty of landing room but anything short of 250 yards leaves an almost suicidal 4 iron to a small domed green flanked by four snarling bunkers.

If you are long and straight (assuming you cleared the fairway bunkers that jealously guard the dog leg) you have the chance to go at the pin.

But the challenge this time is how to get the ball to stop dead on a green when a right to left slope I'd think twice about ski-ing down awaits anything off target.

The 6th is one of my favourite holes, because it gives you a chance. It's a drive and a wedge away if you manage to drive onto the generous fairway.

The green is more manageable than most on the course (but is sloped, naturally), and of course the fact I also hit two perfect shots to set me up for my only birdie of the round has nothing to do with it.

Refreshingly for Dubai, the obsession with having half of the course submerged in water seems to have been resisted here.

Water comes into play sparingly – on just two holes – but it isn't just an ornamental feature. And amazingly, it doesn't suffer from the odour problem that many courses do.

The 7th is tricky enough with the water lurking menacingly on your left, but you can always aim right and take the safer options into the green.

But the 15th (which forms the start of a fantastic set of closing holes) leaves you with no choice.

You don't as much flirt with the lake, but indulge in a fully fledged embrace.

If you clear the water from the tee, you realise there is still a good 160 yards to the green, which of course edges out into the water. And if you mishit your approach (or just hit it short) then there's a good chance your ball will be taking a dip courtesy of the brutal left to right slope on the fairway.

Once you've overcome that hurdle, you're faced with what looks like an easy hole. Just 316 yards and with the wind, its definitely possible to drive the green – especially if you can pull a right to left draw from your shot locker.

But beware, go long and you're basically in a valley, go right and you're in one of a trio of bunkers playing a blind 30 yard shot towards the green.

Another long par 3 (195 yards), which is reasonably straight forward if you get the distance right, frustratingly tricky if you are short or left, and you're almost home.

The 18th is a superb signature hole, and for a weary golfer it must seem as if Ernie was a sadist.

Why else would he plant a 565 yard par 5 (600 yards off the back tees) as a closer?

For once, placement off the tee is all important as the fairway is a lot narrower than elsewhere on the course.

The green is just about reachable in two, but you really are better off playing a long iron and leaving yourself with a short pitch onto the green rather than risking the wrath of the three pothole bunkers that surround the flag.

If that made the course sound tough, then good. Because it is. It is definitely a challenge and at 7,538 yards I wouldn't recommend this as the course to a complete novice.

It can be unforgiving and exasperating, but its always a pleasure.

Even the club clogger will enjoy it as the beauty of the course, the rolling dunes, the cooling wind and the surprisingly serene ambience more than make up for the balls that plug themselves into a bunker with a 10 ft high lip.

Most of all, the whole atmosphere of The Els Club is conducive to an enjoyable four hours on the course. Even if you play badly it is a pleasure.

Not only is the course intelligent and picturesque (a wonderful contrast of deep greens, whites and bright yellows), the ethos of customer service sets new benchmarks in UAE golf.

Genuine interaction with the course marshals who seem truly interested in how your round is, and who tell you to take your time, coupled with a 12 minute gap between tee times takes much of the hit and run element out of your round.

Free Calloway balls when you rent clubs and fly by representations of the hole in your cart as you mentally prepare for your tee shot are all extra little touches that make the round even more pleasurable.

Whether the Els Club is the best course in the UAE is up for debate. But I'd agree with Ernie when he said that others would do well to make a better course.

Green fees
Between 1st June – 31st August 2008 18 holes will cost Dh550, including a shared golf cart, stocked with bottled waters; towels, tees, pencil and scorecard and range balls.

Equipment hire
A full set of Calloway clubs and six Els Club branded Calloway balls will cost you Dh250.

Training facilities
There is a full Calloway club fitting service available and a Butch Harmon golf school is due to be opening later in 2008.

The 19th hole
The Els Club has a temporary clubhouse but that does not mean it is second rate. The clubhouse boasts full locker-room facilities, pro-shop and full bar and restaurant with a view of the practice area.

Membership
The initial limited run of membership has been filled, but there is currently a waitlist for the second release which will become available in 2009.

What to wear
Golfing attire dress and appropriate footwear must be worn. A smart/casual change of clothes to match the surroundings is advisable.

How to get there
Coming from Dubai follow the signs for the E311 (Emirates Road) and head out towards Abu Dhabi. When you reach the Arabian Ranches roundabout continue heading on the E311 towards Abu Dhabi.

You will pass Dubai Sport City and the Els Club on your left so will need to double back on yourself at the roundabout. And follow the signs for the Els Club.

Coming from Abu Dhabi follow the signs for the E311 to Dubai from Shaikh Zayed Road, you will reach Dubai Sport City on your right and see signs for the Els Club.

Allow 30-60 minutes for the journey.

More information

Tel: +971 4 425 1010
E-mail: golf@elsclubdubai.com
www.elsclubdubai.com
*All prices and information correct when first published in July 2008.