The Emirates Golf Club, inspired by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, features a Royal Pavilion styled like a Bedouin tent behind the 8th green. The Majlis course, which opened in 1988, was the first 18-hole grass golf course in the Middle East, designed by Karl Litten. This iconic layout winds through the desert, offering narrow fairways and the challenge of numerous sand shots.
Renowned as one of the finest courses in the UAE, the Majlis hosts the prestigious Dubai Desert Classic, attracting the world’s best golfers. Stretching 7,301 yards with a par of 72, the course is framed by tall dunes and several lakes that come into play.
Large, fast greens are a hallmark, often testing club golfers with tricky pin placements. Memorable holes include the par three 7th, requiring a carry over water, and the challenging par five 18th, where many Desert Classic hopes have been dashed. The clubhouse, resembling a cluster of Bedouin tents, offers a sumptuous experience and stands as one of Dubai’s iconic landmarks.
