Under the Floodlights at Emirates Golf Club

    Emirates Golf Club continues to shape the international sporting landscape with its championship layouts, nocturnal golf options, and historic European Tour legacy.

    The Dubai News Desk

    23 October 2026 · 2 min read

    Under the Floodlights at Emirates Golf Club

    When Emirates Golf Club opened in the late 1980s, it stood as a bold pioneer: an emerald-green championship course rising miraculously out of the bare desert sands. Today, framed by the towering skyline of Dubai Marina and Jumeirah Lakes Towers, the club is globally revered as the spiritual home of golf in the Middle East. It has hosted legends of the game while nurturing a vibrant grassroots community of local players.

    Championship Pedigree on the Majlis

    The club's flagship layout is the world-famous Majlis Course, designed by Karl Litten. As the long-standing venue for the Dubai Desert Classic, the Majlis has witnessed some of the most memorable moments in professional golf, with major winners lifting the coveted coffee-pot trophy. The course winds through indigenous desert flora, featuring challenging doglegs, extensive water hazards, and impeccably maintained rolling greens that test even the most accomplished ball-strikers.

    Its clubhouse, built in the distinctive shape of traditional Bedouin tents, remains one of the city's most recognisable architectural monuments. Sitting on the terrace overlooking the eighteenth green, golfers can watch players tackle one of the most demanding finishing holes in tournament golf, where water guards the approach to a wide, sloping green.

    The Nocturnal Charm of the Faldo Course

    Recognising the realities of the regional climate, Emirates Golf Club introduced a game-changing feature to its second championship layout, the Faldo Course. Redesigned by Sir Nick Faldo, this course features a comprehensive, eco-friendly floodlighting system that allows golfers to play full eighteen-hole rounds well into the evening hours.

    • Night golf enables residents and visitors to enjoy the sport comfortably during the warmer months.
    • Dramatic shadows and illuminated fairways create a totally different strategic challenge compared to daytime play.
    • Comprehensive practice facilities, including a driving range and modern fitting studios, remain open late into the night.
    • The club features extensive academy programmes catering to beginners, juniors, and seasoned amateurs alike.

    Visiting the Greens

    Emirates Golf Club is easily accessible via the Dubai Metro, with the Al Khail station located right at its entrance along Sheikh Zayed Road. Tee times for both the Majlis and Faldo courses are in high demand, particularly during the cooler winter months when playing conditions are optimal. Green fees, dress codes, and tournament schedules are updated regularly, so golfers should check the official club website well in advance to secure preferred tee times and tuition sessions.

    GolfEmirates Golf ClubNight Golf
    The Dubai News Desk

    Contributor at The Dubai News