Dubai’s patrons love their golf, and it’s not surprising that this is one of the fastest growing sports in the Emirates when you consider the superb facilities available to players of all levels. There are also plenty of outdoor sporting opportunities in and around Dubai, including having fun on the water at the Marina, or watching Polo or show jumping.

So whether you’re a complete novice, or have the swing of a champion, here’s our round up of the best golf courses in Dubai, as well as some other outdoor sports venues for you to try.

The Montgomerie Dubai

Designed by golfing legend Colin Montgomerie in association with Desmond Muirhead, The Montgomerie is one of Dubai’s premier championship courses. It is a stunningly well-proportioned course with a good mix of challenging holes, fast-running greens and plenty of water hazards to catch out the unwary. With 81 bunkers and 14 lakes, this is an entertaining course that is the perfect location for an on-the-move informal business meeting, or a chance to get away from the hustle and bustle of modern life for a couple of hours and really relax into a game. The design allows games to flow naturally, encouraging those new to the sport to get a feel for a ‘links’ style of play.

Arabian Ranches Golf Club

This relatively new club opened its doors in 2004 and is a key feature of the highly desirable Arabian Ranches community. The course is incredibly popular with Arabian Ranches residents and visitors alike, and offers a challenging 18-hole, par 72 course designed by Ian Baker-Finch in association with Nicklaus Design. It’s a course that offers something for every one of all abilities, and incorporates some unique design features that make the most of the desert surroundings. The luxurious clubhouse is designed in the Spanish Colonial style with a warm and welcoming feel that encourages guests to relax in a luxurious atmosphere. Its excellent business facilities also make it a stunning place for memorable meetings and prestigious presentations. And after a hard day’s golf, the Ranches Restaurant and Terrace offers diners a delicious choice of cuisine from around the world.

Read more here.

The Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club

Prestigious sporting events and a dazzling social calendar makes the Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club one of the most popular venues in the Emirates. Elegant surroundings, beautifully designed conferencing facilities and a selection of some of the best restaurants in town make this the go-to place for discerning diners and those who love a little touch of luxury in their lives. And then of course, there are the sports – show jumping and world-class polo for those who simply want to sit back and watch, or for the more active the Club runs trekking tours out into the desert for a memorable experience.

Stable tours are also available for riding enthusiasts, while kids also have their share with age-specific classes available year round.

Read more here.

The Upcoming Dubai Hills Estate Golf Course

The Dubai Hills Estate 18-hole championship golf course is the latest in a series of luxury developments that bring the very best sporting facilities to the Emirates. Dubai Hills Estate is an upcoming 11 million square metre premium lifestyle community development, the stylish gated villa community in the project offers customers the opportunity to buy or design their own luxurious homes set around the golf course, in a community featuring vast landscaped parks and gardens, winding walkways, and extensive open areas. The upcoming golf course is expected to attract the world’s greatest golfers to the Emirate.

Read more here.