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A golf course set on the arid, dusty dunes of Dubai would have seemed like a mirage not so many years ago. Now, though, after a battle lasting centuries, man can finally claim to have conquered the desert as vibrant green blades of grass sprout up across the city.
The triumph is such that it must be easy for Dubai’s golfers to forget they are in the Middle East as they stroll around a fantasy world of immaculate lush fairways, rich vegetation and spectacular water hazards that could have been boxed and transported straight from America.
Most courses in the UAE are true, man-made miracles that have taken little inspiration from the land on which they are built.
At Arabian Ranches, however, players can live and enjoy a true desert golf experience. While at every other course bulldozers seem to have ruthlessly swept aside vegetation and reshaped the land en masse, Ian Baker-Finch, the 1991 Open champion who designed the Ranches, has preserved the desert and carved 18 holes out of the natural landscape.
Sure, the Ranches has immaculately maintained fairways and large testing greens, but what sets it apart from its rivals in Dubai is that it has no water hazards or bunkers, just one long, twisting sand hazard – the desert itself.
Indigenous shrubs and bushes populate the sandy wasteland which weaves round every hole on the course, giving golfers a peaceful taste of nature a million miles away from unruly concrete jungle of Dubai.
Players whose scorecards are regularly destroyed by bunker visits will be relieved to know that you are allowed to ground your club in the sand, but nevertheless it is a real battle with the elements and wayward shots can be very costly if your ball ends up in the vicinity of a bush.
As there are no bunkers, as such, golfers are not troubled with the usual hassle of raking. But spare a thought for the army of groundstaff who have to rake the acres of sand, which places as much demand on their time as maintaining the fairways and greens.
The course – which acts as a serene backdrop for residents of villas that flank many of the fairways – can measure up to 7,691 yards from the medal tee, making it one of the longest in the world. However, it is generally played at a less daunting 6,700-yard maximum.
With a reputation as one of the most challenging courses in the UAE, the groundstaff have also been working on making the par-72 course more friendly by removing a number of bushes and regularly pruning those bordering grass areas.
It is the tough challenge, though, which has made the Ranches hugely popular with lower handicap players, especially members, since it opened in January 2004.
The 15th is a favourite test among both members and guests of all abilities. At 290 yards, it is possible to drive the green of the par-four hole for a good chance at an eagle. Two hole-in-ones have already been recorded, but while this no-guts-no-glory attitude might have made hundreds of scorecards, a treacherous area of sandy wasteland has obliterated just as many.
Another popular hole is the 535-yard 13th. For the big hitters, there is the temptation of making the tree-guarded green in two, but a clever player can still plot his way down the rolling contours of the fairway and achieve par.
Not selling itself as a glamorous resort, the Ranches is a golf club in the more traditional sense, with an extensive tournament calendar and a core membership of dedicated players.
The club has an impressive list of events, both competitive and social, and benefits from excellent sponsorship ties with Dubai businesses.
The course’s location within the slightly remote Arabian Ranches residential estate gives it the feel of a community club and has generated a less pretentious air than many of its rivals in the city.
It has captured the essence of the desert better than any other course, but while golfers might be able to marvel at man’s triumph over the elements as they tread the fairways, few will ever be able to claim they have conquered the course.
Green fees
Arabian Ranches charge some of the most competitive rates in the UAE. At the weekend during the winter, a round costs Dhs 545, inclusive of GPS cart and range balls, while Sunday to Wednesday the fee is Dhs 470. During the summer all week it costs Dhs 270 for 18 and Dhs 180 for nine.
Equipment Hire
It costs Dhs 120 to hire a set of clubs for 18 holes and Dhs 60 for use on the range.
Training facilities
The Ranches have a floodlit practice putting green and driving range which is open from 6am to 8.30pm and, unlike many courses, allows golfers to hit off grass at a cost of Dhs 20 for a bucket of balls. They also have a three-hole pitch-and-putt course, plus a chipping area and practice bunkers.
An individual lesson costs Dhs 170 (Dhs 750 for a nine-hole playing lesson), however, there are a number of packages available and programmes can be tailor-made for specific requirements. Lessons are conducted by British PGA professionals who can draw on state-of-the-art digital swing analysis technology.
Elsewhere, there is an unusual selling point for lady golfers is that the Ranches has a female teaching pro, Sandy Meyer, who appeared in the Dubai Ladies' Masters alongside the likes of world No 1 Annika Sorenstam.
The 19th hole
An elegant, grand lobby makes for a good first impression as golfers arrive, however the highlight of the Spanish colonial-style clubhouse is the terrace which benefits from panoramic views of the ninth and 18th holes.
The Ranches' bar and restaurant, which serves up a fine selection of international dishes, are popular spots for golfers to relive their rounds, while visitors can also make use of the 11 luxurious guest rooms which have spectacular views overlooking either the course or the lake.
Membership
It costs Dhs 14,500 for an individual golf membership and Dhs 19,500 for a family/couple, plus Dhs 4,500 joining fee. Juniors must pay Dhs 5,000 per annum and a joining fee of Dhs 1,000.
At present, the club has just over 500 members and there is a waiting list, which gives priority to Arabian Ranches residents. For a Club membership (which entitles you to play at any time for Dhs 125 off-peak and Dhs 175 peak), it costs Dhs 6,500 (plus a Dhs 1,000 joining fee), Dhs 8,500 for a family and Dhs 3,000 for a junior.
What to wear
No jeans or beachwear. The international golfing dress code - collared shirts and tailored shorts and skirts - should be followed. Appropriate golf shoes are also essential.
How to get there
From Emirates Towers, head for Abu Dhabi on Shaikh Zayed Road. At interchange four take the turning for Al Barsha. Continue until the second roundabout and take the third exit on to Emirates Road. Take the first right and follow signs for Arabian Ranches.
More information
Tel: 04 3663000
E-mail: teetime@arabianranchesgolf.ae
golfacademyarabianranchesgolf.ae
www.arabianranches
golfdubai.com
Have you played this course? Do you find its facilities to be accessible? Are the fees fair, low or high? How would you compare it to other courses in the country? Which is the best course in the UAE? Share your views with us.
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