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Nick Faldo has a reputation for being an abrasive, difficult character and his signature course in Dubai is no different. The Wadi by Faldo is a formidable test of golf and the six-time Major winner’s infamous mean streak is unmistakably stamped on the minefield of wickedly placed bunkers and water hazards.
With 30 projects already under his belt in every corner of the globe, Faldo has a burgeoning reputation as a course designer and, as the captain of Europe’s 2008 Ryder Cup team, his high profile over the next year could have an immense impact on the Wadi’s image.
The course first opened in 1996, but the latest incarnation of the Wadi opened just last year after an 18-month period of extensive redesign by Europe’s most successful ever golfer.
Wadi is the Arabic word used to describe a dried-out river bed and large expanses of barren sandy wastleland which slice across many of the fairways give the course much of its character.
Unsurprisingly for a course in the UAE, lakes are a big feature, providing awe and fear in equal measure but, along with the wasteland, they are what sets the Wadi apart is its bunkers.
Not for Faldo, the shallow, contoured sand traps typical of Dubai which seem aimed more towards pleasing the eye than testing the player. The Wadi is a gruelling examination of bunker play, with the greens often closely guarded by deep pits whose steep faces are reminiscent of the British Links courses where Faldo first learned his trade.
Golf, though, is not meant to be easy and followers of the sport would expect a course designed by Faldo to be nothing other than tough. The 7,328-yard par-72 Wadi is a thinking man’s course, with many shots forcing golfers to weigh up the risk against the reward.
One hole which poses serious questions is the par-four seventh. Standing on the tee is daunting, with water hugging the right of the dog-leg fairway. A successful shot will remove the water hazard protecting the green, but a bunker must also be negotiated before you can start dreaming of a birdie.
The seventh is the start of perhaps the most enjoyable stretch of the course, with a short 153-yard par-three next up. With bunkers acting sentry, the green is barely visible off the tee and with a breeze often playing havoc with club selection, the sand trap is hard to avoid.
Rounding off the front nine is a 355-yard hole designed to punish big-hitters. Water hugs the right of the green and, with the fairway sloping and snaking towards the lake, over-zealous shots can unexpectedly carry and meet a watery grave.
The 367-yard par-four 14th is one of the most memorable holes on the back nine and is similarly fraught with danger. A stretch of sand running alongside the fairway must be avoided from the tee, while the downhill shot to the sunken green, tightly guarded by a small lake with an impressive rock feature, is tough but enjoyable.
Sand and water hazards also menacingly lie in wait on the
par-four 18th, providing one last hurdle for those on the verge of posting a good score. Even if you manage to stay out of the sand down the right with your tee shot, there is much still to do before you can think about par.
The green, like many on the course, has vicious twists and turns, and it is an achievement in itself just to reach it in two. Faldo signs off in style with one last attempt at destroying your scorecard. The putting surface is closely guarded by a lake to the right, while to the left are a devilish scattering of his trademark bunkers.
As the younger sibling to the world-class Majlis course, the Wadi faces a challenge to overcome the stigma of being the ugly sister, however given time to mature, and the completion of the construction work which scars the view at almost every turn, it may well blossom into another desert miracle.
Green fees
You can play the Wadi during the winter all week for Dhs 635, inclusive of GPS cart hire and range balls. There is also a twilight promotion which allows you play nine holes after 3pm for Dhs 385. During the summer it costs Dhs 330 for 18, while tee-off times after 4.00pm cost Dhs 200.
Equipment Hire
A set of Ping clubs costs Dhs 150, while Footjoy shoes cost Dhs 50.
Training facilities
The high standards set on the course are matched on the practise areas. Costing just Dhs 90 for a round, the club’s recently opened nine-hole par three course is a great place to hone your short game.
It benefits from being floodlit until 9pm and is in immaculate condition after hosting a challenge match ahead of the Desert Classic with a stellar field featuring Tiger Woods and Ernie Els, among many others. In addition, you can also practise under floodlights on the range at a cost of Dhs 25 per bucket of balls. In addition, there are areas to practise putting, pitching, chipping, recovery shots and hitting from both greenside and fairway bunkers. PGA professionals offer 45-minute lessons starting from Dhs 325, however they also have a range of tuition packages available.
The 19th hole
The gleaming white clubhouse, modelled on a village of Bedouin tents, is one of Dubai’s earliest iconic structures and is symbolic of the birth of golf in the region. It is much bigger inside than the building suggests and houses an array of bars and restaurants to suit any mood.
The patio of the informal Spike Bar is ideal for golfers seeking a cool drink and a bite to eat while reliving their round, and there are five more options, including fine dining, al fresco eating on the terrace, traditional fare at the sports bar, lazy lunches at the library and healthy light meals by the pool.
Membership
Membership of Emirates Golf Club, which includes the right to play the Wadi by Faldo and the Majlis, costs Dhs 20,000 for men (plus Dhs 7,500 joining fee), Dhs 15,500 for women and Dhs 26,000 for a family.
To join with no golfing privileges costs Dhs 6,500 for an individual and Dhs 9,500 for a family. The club has a wide range of top-quality facilities, including a luxurious pool, squash and tennis courts and a well-equipped gym, with a variety of training programmes available. In addition, membership also allows you use of all the leisure facilities at the Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club.
What to wear
The international golfing dress code must be followed and appropriate footwear worn.
How to get there
From Emirates Towers, head towards Abu Dhabi along Shaikh Zayed Road. At Hard Rock Cafe watch out for signs for Emirates Golf Club and follow them through the maze of roadworks which must be negotiated before you reach the course. Allow 20 minutes for the journey.
More information
Tel: 04 380 2222
E-mail: EGC@dubaigolf.com
www.dubaigolf.com/web/egc
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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