The Els Club:

I train at the Butch Harmon School of Golf, so the home course at The Els Club in Dubai Sports City, where the school is located is clearly one on my favourite lists as I play it most often while I’m in the UAE.

The picturesque sunset seen from the 2nd hole on the course.

The course was the first in the Middle East to be designed by US Open & British Open champion Ernie Els, and is aptly named after him. 18 holes, 7538 yards, with a par 72 layout the course combines a desert style setting with a links style design. You will see large sand waste areas, open undulating fairways and greens and massive bunkering. All this set on rolling slopes of native desert vegetation make it a lovely place to spend a few hours.

The Els Club course is unlike any other I’ve played before. It’s a challenging design, and you need to plan your shot very well before you execute it, or you could end up hitting a great shot and still be in trouble. For instance a 270-yard drive could go straight into a fairway bunker where you’re bound to lose a stroke just chipping out sideways. The greens are quick and true, and test your short game. Reading slopes and lines for approach shots inside 100 yards can also be a challenge.

Teeing off on Hole 1 for my round at the Els Club.

They say ‘The hole isn’t over till it’s over’ and it’s more true on this course than other’s I’ve played. So if you are new to it, make sure you take the pro tips off the sat-nav in your golf cart, or play with someone who has experience with the lay of the course! It’s all this and more that makes the game so enjoyable at Els.

Green fees depending on peak/off peak: AED 595-995 for 18 holes