The best golf courses in Dubai and Abu Dhabi Tip Most of the greens are elevated, so take at least an extra club for approaches into them; the slope of the greens makes them hard to hold. Green fee Earth - AED 595 (about £100); Fire - AED 495 (about £85), info@jumeirahgolfestates.com Emirates Golf Club Overview Host to the Omega Dubai Desert Classic and the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters, this was the first all-grass championship golf course in the Middle East when it opened in 1988. The Faldo, one of two options at the club, is currently the only 18-hole course in the region to offer "nightclubbing" (floodlit golf). Designer Majlis - Karl Litten; Faldo - Sir Nick Faldo . Length Majlis - 7,301 yards, par 72; Faldo - 7,348 yards, 73. Signature hole The par-four dogleg eighth on the Majlis course. At a full 434 yards, it plays uphill so requires a long and accurate second shot to make the green, where a three putt is a possibility. Tip The Majlis favours a draw and you need to get it close with your approaches, as some of the greens are huge. Green fee Majlis - AED 995 (£170); Faldo - AED 595 (£100), dubaigolf.com The Montgomerie Overview The course has become the focal point for one of Dubai's most exclusive residential communities, Emirates Hills. It has undulating fairways and generous landing areas, but the finishing hole is a brute. The practice facilities are world-class, including a state-of-the-art swing analysis studio, a nine-hole, par-three academy course, a short-game area, practice putting greens and a driving range, all floodlit. It's one of the best members-only golf courses in Dubai. Designer The 2010 Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie . Length 7,307 yards, par 72. Signature hole The par-three 13th, where the large green is in the shape of the UAE. Tip Don't be shy with the driver; the course features wide, open fairways with limited risk, so enjoy ripping it off the tee. Green fee AED 825 (£142), themontgomerie.com Abu Dhabi Yas Links Overview This world-class links course in the middle of the desert has views of the Yas F1 circuit. Kyle Phillips shaped nearly two miles of coastline to create the firm, fast terrain, a challenge for golf purists. The clubhouse - surrounded by land rich with birds and plantlife − was designed with an Arabian theme, and is extremely relaxing. Designer Kyle Phillips. Length 7,450 yards from the tips, par 72. Signature hole The par-three 17th: tee shots must carry the water and avoid the dune bunkers. Coastal breezes make club selection vital. Tip Slick greens make two putts difficult. Take plenty of balls for the back nine; the water claims a few. Holes 16, 17 and 18 create one of the best finishing stretches in golf. Green fee AED 850 (£148), yaslinks.com Abu Dhabi Golf Club Overview Home to the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship , the national course is impressive. Designer Peter Harradine Length 7,334 yards, par 72. Signature hole The par-three 12th; Sergio Garcia aced it during a recent championship. It's the most photographed and aesthetically pleasing hole, with a lake protecting the front of the green and an imposing rock wall as the backdrop. Tip There are 90 bunkers; keep to the fairways. The rough is penal and tough to play out of. Green fee AED 600 (£103), adgolfclub.com Saadiyat Beach Golf Club Overview The Arabian Gulf's first ocean course, designed by Gary Player (and pictured below), harnesses the natural beauty of Saadiyat's white sand beaches. The clubhouse, designed by Frank Gehry and due for completion next year, will be spectacular. Designer Gary Player. Length From 5,290 yards to 7,806 for the pros , par 72. Signature hole The 11th, known as Player's Alley, on which the designer's handprints and signature are cast in a concrete plaque. Tip Plot carefully and be accurate with your iron shots. If you can work the ball both ways, it's a definite advantage. Green fee AED 600 (£103), sbgolfclub.ae Al Ghazal Golf Club Overview Al Ghazal provides a novel Abu Dhabi experience: sand golf. The club has hosted leading European Tour professionals in the World Sand Golf Championships . Large, sloping browns (not greens) made of sand and oil roll as straight, fast and true as any surface on a grass course - but they do take a bit of getting used to. It's golf not as we know it, but great fun. Designer Unknown. Length 6,724 yards, par 71. Signature hole The par-five fifth. With an archaeological site to the right of the fairway, golfers can end up rummaging for their ball among 5,000-year-old pottery shards. Tip Don't forget the small artificial grass mat that you carry around with you, for shots from the marked-out fairways (unless you want to work on your bunker play). Green fee AED 140 (£24), alghazalgolf.ae