Oil rich Abu Dhabi is a gushing new golf destination for those travelling to the capital of the United Arab Emirates.

Formula One roared off  the starting grid in Abu Dhabi.

And as Bernie McGuire discovers for www.golfbytourmiss golfers are making sure they’re not being left behind. 

For near on two decades, Dubai has been the Middle East golfing ‘mecca’.

However there’s a new player on the scene and it’s just a 90-minute drive down the freeway from struggling Dubai.

Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) but it’s only in recent years, and all thanks to the European Tour, Abu Dhabi has burst onto the world golf scene.

Five years ago there was just one one golf course but Abu Dhabi now boasts three with two opening earlier last year.

Three days after Martin Kaymer captured a second Abu Dhabi Championship, the stunning Saadiyat Beach Golf Club was opened and in June 2010 a third course, Yas Links was ready for play.

The USA’s best-selling travel guide, Frommer’s, listed Abu Dhabi as among its top-10 destinations to visit in 2010.

This follows hot on the heels of the inclusion of Abu Dhabi on Lonely Planet’s top-10 recommended destinations for the years.

Frommer’s commends Abu Dhabi for its beautiful beaches, greenery, distinct Emirati character and the preservation of its conservative heritage.

International brand consultancy, Future Brand, also has designated the UAE as one of three nations likely to become top tourism destinations in the next years with China and Vietnam also listed.

But thanks in recent years to Etihad Airlines golfers from the UK and Europe can fly direct to Abu Dhabi in a daily service to the UAE capital.

Also for those flying on to Australia, New Zealand it makes good sense to stop off in Abu Dhabi as Etihad fly direct to Sydney and Melbourne and thus avoiding transfers in either Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok or Dubai.

But what makes better sense for those criss-crossing between Europe and the South Pacific region is pack the golf clubs and stop-over to play golf in Abu Dhabi.

The National course at Abu Dhabi with its distinctive falcon clubhouse needs no introduction having played host to the prestigious Abu Dhabi Championship now for six years.

The new kids on the block are the Gary Player designed Saadiyat Beach that is the first ‘ocean’ course to be laid out along the shores of the Arabian Gulf.

The nine-time Majors winning Player was present in January last year when he was joined by the Northern Ireland duo of Rory McIlroy and Darren Clarke plus Scotland’s Sam Torrance and a host of celebrities for the course’s official opening.

“We have blended together the breathtaking natural elements of Saadiyat Island with captivating design statements to create a matchless playing experience at the heart of one of the world’s most rapidly evolving golf destinations,” said the legendary South African.

The amphitheatre-style par 72 Saadiyat Beach course features spectacular views of the glittering, crystal blue Arabian Gulf, with over a third of the course boasting views out over the coastline.

From the Black or Championship tees the course is a whopping 7,784 yards while the Gold Tees it will measure 7,268 yards.  Those off the Blue tees face a 6,733 yard test while it’s eight yards short of 6,000 off the White Tee.  The ladies are staring at a 5,290 yard exam.

Player has named all 18-holes starting with ‘Prelude’ and with the 10^th and the shortest of the par fours called ‘Mousetrap’ as those will find out if their ball should miss the green right.

The par five, 11^th hole is aptly named ‘Player’s Alley’ as it’s imperative to keep it right of sand that runs all the way down the left side.

‘Arabian Oasis’ is the name of the par three 17^th, a 130-yard gem off the Blue tee that looks out over the water where you’ll likely to spot either dolphins, Hawksbill turtles and other marine life that are known to visit the shores of Saadiyat Island.

Troon Golf  looks after the running the course that also boasts superb practice facilities as well as a golf academy.

And strong rumours suggest the Abu Dhabi Championship is set to move to the course in 2012.

www.golfbytourmiss.com caught up Kyle Phillips on the Saturday morning of the 2010 Abu Dhabi Championship, and just hours after he had landed in Abu Dhabi to inspect his newest creation, Yas Links.

Phillips is one of the world’s leading golf course designers and his credits include the Kingsbarns course in Scotland that plays host each season to the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship and last year, for a first-ever occasion hosted an Open Championship Local Final Qualifier.

Phillips also designed The Grove course near London that hosted a World Golf Championship in 2006 won Tiger Woods along with Dundonald, a traditional links course near Troon that could one day play host to the Scottish Open.

Yas Links is laid out on the west shores of Yas Island with a feature of the course being rolling hills and a number of seashore green locations.

Emirates renowned ALDAR properties developed the course.

The course measures 7,450 yards off the Championship tees, 7,053 off the Black tees, 6,671 yards off the Medal tees, 6,233 yards off the Members tees while the ladies face a test of 5,431 yards.

“The significant earth works and artful shaping has resulted in a golf course unseen in the region,” said Chris White, General Manager of Aldar’s golf division.

“Fairways, tees and green elevations range from +1 to +8 metres above sea level, and this coupled with a rugged finishing and the planting of native, wispy grasses will allow the golfing enthusiastic to drift back in time.”

It’s true the course is laid-out in a stunning location but it’s also not far from the stunning Yas Marina grand prix car race circuit and those who watched TV coverage of this last year’s inaugural Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix will appreciate the size of the circuit.

However Yas Links is indeed unique in the Middle East and the sea views about the course are as good as any in the region.

With neighbouring Dubai getting to the point of being over-golfed, consider the option of taking your game to Abu Dhabi.

Golfer-friendly Etihad Airlines fly daily to Abu Dhabi and on arrival there’s a brand spanking new, and far from over-crowded international airport to welcome you.

Once you’re settled into your hotel there are three unique golf courses you’ll be just itching to tackle.

Useful websites –

Abu Dhabi Golf Course – www.adgolfclub.ae

Saadiyat Beach Golf Course – www.saadiyat.ae

Yas Island Golf Course – www.yaslinks.com

Etihad Airlines – www.etihad.com