Abu Dhabi

Led by arguably the No.1 course in the Middle East, this emirate can offer a terrific winter golf holiday.

Abu Dhabi was slow off the mark in terms of golf, taking a full decade to follow the path of neighbouring Dubai. But while it might not have been quick to act, when it has acted it has done so incredibly impressively. Because in Abu Dhabi Golf Club, Yas Links and Saadiyat Beach, it offers impeccable quality and unusual diversity. The star of the show is Yas Links, the Kyle Phillips design that looks like a genuine seaside course even if it is not what afficionados of British and Irish golf would know as a links. It is the Lykia Links of the Middle East; just like the star of Belek in Turkey, it is not necessarily where you will employ the bump and-run game many of us enjoy so much, but it is distinctive and breathtaking.

In Middle East terms – in fact in long haul resort terms – it is as good as you will find.

It is located on Yas Island, 30 minutes’ drive along a succession of motorways from downtown Abu Dhabi. The roads will be deserted as you undertake the loop round to Yas Island and it feels a bit like an F1 circuit. Which is somehow appropriate, because the Yas F1 circuit as well as Ferrari World are right next to the course.

Yas is an immense course aesthetically, both in terms of views across glistening water and from the rippling terrain and rough-edged bunkers. The F1 circuit, Ferrari World, Waterworld and Yas Mall are the backdrops to some holes, reminders of the vast non-golf attractions of the UAE. Fifteen minutes’ drive along the E12 motorway that links the islands dotted around the city centre is Saadiyat Beach. This Gary Player design has similarly thrilling coastal views, although less of them as a result of more of it being routed among residences. Nevertheless, you wouldn’t come to Abu Dhabi and not play here.

Saadiyat’s onsite hotel is, indeed, a terrific base for a golf holiday in the emirate. Finally, there is Abu Dhabi GC, the host of the star-studded Tour event here. It is located right next to the airport – in fact, the airport is very well located for all the courses – in a busy suburb south-east of the city centre.

As a result it is more akin to the sort of courses in Dubai, although few in the neighbouring emirate are so accomplished technically as this. It is a Peter Harradine design routed around seven salt water hazards on a square site with palm trees, shrubs, 90 bunkers and dry stone retaining walls. The iconic clubhouse is accompanied by a luxury Westin hotel.