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Ras Al Khaimah may be known as the Wild West of the UAE but you certainly won’t find cactus, dusty plains and tumbleweed rolling across the fairways of the emirate’s golf course. Tower Links, although set in desert heartland, is in fact a sweeping expanse of glorious greenery as its 18 holes meander through a natural mangrove swamp.
The rich vegetation provides much of the course’s character and the holes have been skilfully constructed to make maximum use of the mangrove trees. Lining many of the fairways and providing several testing doglegs, they present a formidable hazard throughout the course and a challenge golfers won’t find anywhere else in the UAE.
Tower Links was constructed and is run on eco-friendly principles. Water is drawn from beneath the Hajar mountains and approximately 1.5 million gallons are pumped on to the course every day to irrigate its 40 hectares of grass, and the 2,000 palms, 6,000 trees and 100,000 shrubs that were planted prior to its opening in 2004.
The majestic row of craggy peaks in the horizon frame many shots and, for most players, will act as a welcome reminder that they have escaped the congested concrete jungle of Dubai. The location also means there is less human traffic and with golfers sharing the course with more than 70 species of birds, Tower Links is certainly a more tranquil alternative to the bustling courses in Dubai.
Of course, travelling to RAK is a factor, but as the only club in the north of the UAE, it has a good catchment area and for residents of Sharjah and north Dubai, and the trip along the relatively quiet Emirates Road perhaps beats facing the logjam around other courses.
However, aside from the incentive of possibly the best value green fees in the UAE and a floodlit back nine, the course is first class and no golfer could possibly leave RAK disappointed.
Unless, of course, Tower Links has got the better of them and they have left their golf ball collection at the bottom of the numerous lakes which the 7,200 yards of lush fairways are weaved around. Perhaps because huge numbers haven’t trampled across it in the short time Tower Links has been open, but the undulating fairways are strikingly immaculate, while the pristine greens are quick and twist with such menace that a good relationship with your putter is essential.
The par 72 course has four tees, offering a fair challenge for all standards of players, and it is certainly an interesting test of golf that forces you to think carefully before selecting a club.
Never more so than on the par-four ninth hole. The dogleg makes the length of your tee shot crucial with monstrous drives punished by shrubbery while a short hit leaves you with a huge dilemma.
The green is at 90 degrees to the fairway and unless you have driven the correct distance, it’s hidden by a large cluster of trees, posing the teaser of playing safe with a short chip further up the fairway or going for glory with a blind shot at the green. Either way, an accurate long iron is required to clear the mangroves, while the shot is made even tougher by the lake surrounding much of the green.
Lakes, often brought to life by fountains, add danger to many of the holes on the course, especially the par-five 18th, with the green and fairway both set alongside treacherous water. A lake and a clump of mangroves to the left and sand to the right, make it paramount to hit long and straight off the tee, which sits 498 yards from the white box.
Then it’s a test of bravery as you weigh up the risk of taking out the dogleg by thundering a shot at the island green or going for the sensible approach shot. If a lost ball isn’t punishment enough, those who go for broke also miss the chance to hit while viewing Tower Links in all its glory. With the clubhouse, vibrant colourful flowers, fountains and bridges setting the scene, all that is required is a shot to match the grandstand finish.
Tower Links is certainly a thinking man’s golf course. Thought is required for almost every shot, and although its location might make you think better of checking it out, you won’t think twice about going back.
Green Fees
For the standard of course, Tower Links is excellent value, with a round in the winter costing Dhs 375 peak and Dhs 320 off-peak, inclusive of GPS cart and range balls.
For nine holes, the cost is Dhs 195/175. During the summer it costs Dhs 240 for 18 at the weekend and Dhs 130 for nine, while off-peak it costs Dhs 210/Dhs 120. Tee times are available from 7.30am until 8pm.
Equipment Hire
To rent a set of Callaway clubs costs Dhs 120 for 18 holes.
Training Facilities
The golf academy boasts one of the finest practice areas in the UAE. While at many other courses the greens are worn and if they have a grass tee area, it is overused and useless for iron shots, Tower Links boasts a pristine undulating putting area, two chipping greens with practice bunkers and a tee area comparable with course tees.
The floodlit practice area is open from 7.30am until 9pm and you can hone your skills away from the maddening crowds at the cost of just Dhs 15 per bucket of balls. In addition, they have a dedicated teaching tee where qualified PGA professionals offer 30-minute lessons for Dhs 130 and nine-hole playing lessons for Dhs 500.
A number of different training packages are available and they have at their disposal a swing analysis centre featuring multi-cameras and the latest GASP Systems instructional software.
The 19th Hole
The distinct clubhouse, which was designed to reflect the rich history of watchtowers in Ras Al Khaimah, benefits from a sweeping view of the course. Both the food and beverage outlets are managed by the Hilton Hotel RAK and benefit from terraces overlooking a lake and the 18th green.
The dining options range from casual snacks and traditional fare in the Captain’s Bar to a more formal experience in the stylish Marco Polo restaurant, which has a menu based on the famous merchant’s travels through the Mediterranean, and the Middle and Far East and features a live show kitchen. The clubhouse also boasts a state-of-the-art gym and a spa offering various health and beauty treatments.
Membership
At present, they have 170 members and there is no joining fee or waiting list. A standard membership, which entitles you to discount at all the facilities in the club and access to the gym and range, costs Dhs 9,000 per annum, while the family rate is Dhs 13,500. For Dhs 4,500 per annum (Dhs 6,750 for families) you can play off-peak for free, while at the weekend it costs Dhs 150 to play a round and Dhs 75 for nine holes. For a gym/social membership the fee is Dhs 3,000, while for families it’s Dhs 4,500.
What To Wear
Appropriate golf shoes must be worn and the international golfing dress code should be followed.
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, which takes you all the way to Ras Al Khaimah.
At the junction, go right and travel through the city until the clocktower. Take a right on to Khuzam Road and follow signs for the golf club. From the north of Dubai the journey should take 45 minutes to an hour.
More Information
Tel: 07 227 9939
E-mail: info@towerlinks.com
www.towerlinks.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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