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After once hearing a kilted drinker with a trademark pink face slur “any chance of a Jebel Ali” across a crowded bar I knew my first trip there was always going to be filled with intrigue.
The phrase uttered in instantly recognisable thick Glaswegian brogue was a quick-witted piece of rhyming slang for the word swallay, a popular Scots term for drinking.
On arrival, though, at the plush Jebel Ali Golf Resort and Spa, there was no sign of any inebriated Scotsmen and it was clear any inspiration drawn from them would have been for their legendary golf courses, rather than their reputation for enjoying a wee dram or two.
When the course opened in 1998 a few glasses must have been raised to Peter Harradine, the renowned course designer who is also responsible for more than 300 courses in Europe and the National Course at Abu Dhabi among others in the Middle East.
Jebel Ali is a nine-hole par 36 course, but with four different grades of tee, it is possible to play 18 while still being presented with a different challenge on each hole. The club may be outside Dubai, but a short drive is rewarded by a more tranquil playing experience than at many of the often overcrowded courses in the city.
As one of the earliest courses to open in the region, the landscape at Jebel Ali benefits from being more established than many of its rivals, with mature trees and shrubs decorating the much of the 3,201-yard course and providing cover to a variety of wildlife.
Of course, the peacocks which also call the course home have no desire to hide behind the rich and sometimes colourful vegetation and can often be seen strutting down the manicured fairways.
However, as any canny Scot would agree, the most appealing aspect of Jebel Ali is the cost. Dirham per hole, it is the cheapest round in the UAE and if you are just playing nine holes, no course in the vicinity can compete for value, especially if you opt not to hire a buggy.
It is a championship-standard course, however, and it is certainly not the green fees that attracted some of the world’s leading players over the past eight years. Tiger Woods, Ernie Els, Colin Montgomerie, Darren Clarke, Greg Norman and Nick Faldo are just a few of the great names to grace the fairways in the Jebel Ali Challenge Match, which has in the past acted as a curtain-raiser for the prestigious Dubai Desert Classic.
The course’s location on the coastline near the the Jebel Ali Palm development means a stiff breeze often sweeps in from the Arabian Gulf, giving golfers one more problem to think about as they step on to the first tee.
Lush Eucalyptus trees on either side of the fairway create a narrow channel which must be negotiated with a straight drive if you are to stand a chance of scoring well on the 582-yard par-five hole. The front of the green is protected by a huge saltwater lake, which also comes into play on four of the other holes, and provides a stern early test in the round. Accuracy is essential to avoid flirting with the water with your second, while no matter where you finish, the chip on to the green is fraught with danger.
The second and eighth holes are both exciting downhill par threes, where shots can be gained. Over-confidence, though, can easily be punished. The eighth is easily the trickier of the two as a panoramic view of the hotel, set against the azure sea, frames the target area which is surrounded by water and sand.
The fourth is the most difficult hole on the course, demanding a lot of thought and a perfect drive. Both accuracy and distance are essential with your first two shots if you are to succeed laying up in a good position in front of the large expanse of water which must have claimed thousands of balls over the years.
The ninth is perhaps one of the best holes to reclaim lost shots, or at least some pride, but if your scorecard is already lying at the bottom of the lake as you stroll down the fairway towards the luxurious yachts docked in the marina, there is always the option of a wee swallay at the 19th to help ease the pain.
Green fees
The first tee-off time available is 7am and to play a round in the winter costs Dhs 150 at the weekend and Dhs 140 Sunday to Wednesday. To play 18 the fee is Dhs 275 peak and Dhs 255 off-peak.
Jebel Ali is currently running a twilight deal, which allows golfers to play from 3.40pm onwards for Dhs 95. During the summer, it costs Dhs 195 to play 18 at the weekend and Dhs 140 for nine, while off-peak the rates are Dhs 180/130. Various other promotions are also in operation.
Equipment Hire
Carts can be rented for Dhs 35 per person for nine holes and Dhs 55 for 18. A trolley costs Dhs 15/Dhs 25, while for Dhs 65/Dhs 120 you can hire a set of Callaway clubs.
Training facilities
The Old Stables driving range is first class and allows you to tee up on grass for just Dhs 25 for a bucket of range balls. It is open from 7am until around 8pm, is floodlit and also boasts target greens and bunkers, while there is also a green to practice putting. It costs Dhs 150 for a standard 30-minute lesson and Dhs 595 for a two-hour course lesson, but the PGA professionals, who have a computerised swing analysis studio at their disposal, can create a tuition package to suit almost any requirement.
The 19th hole
The terrace at the bar/restaurant overlooking the marina is the perfect spot to relive your round over a cold drink and replenish your energy with a dish from the good value international menu.
The resort, which benefits from views of the giant man-made palm island rising out of the sea, houses the five-star Jebel Ali Hotel and the exclusive Palm Tree Court & Spa. They include a number of restaurants fit for any type occasion and offer a diverse selection of dishes from all over the globe. A variety of other leisure facilities are also on site, including four floodlit tennis courts, three swimming pools, a shooting range, stables and a health and beauty spa.
Membership
The club is pay-as-you play, but during the hot weather unlimited golf is available for three months under a Summer Swing package.
What to wear
The international golfing dress code should be followed and appropriate shoes must be worn.
How to get there
From Emirates Towers, take Shaikh Zayed Road and head out of Dubai towards Abu Dhabi. Continue past much of the industrial estate, take exit 13 and then follow signs for Jebel Ali Golf Resort and Spa. Allow 45 minutes to an hour for the journey.
More information
Tel: 04 804 8023/58
E-mail: golf.teetimes@jaihotels.com
www.jebelali-international.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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