For more than two decades, Dubai has been the Middle East golfing mecca.

But in recent years there’s a number of stunning new players on the scene and one in particular just a little over an hour’s drive down along the freeway from Dubai.

Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and thanks to the European Tour, Abu Dhabi has burst onto the world golf scene.

For the first five years of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship there was just the host National course but now the capital boasts three.

Saadiyat Beach GC with Abu Dhabi skyline in background. (Photo – Saadiyat Beach Golf Club).

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

The USA’s best-selling travel guide, Frommer’s lists Abu Dhabi as among its top-10 destinations to visit and this is on top of the inclusion of Abu Dhabi on Lonely Planet’s top-10 recommended destinations.

The Gary Player designed Saadiyat Beach course, now overlooked by the stunning St. Regis Hotel,  is the first ‘ocean’ course to be laid out along the shores of the Arabian Gulf.

The nine-time Majors winning Player was joined at the had opening by the Northern Ireland duo of Rory McIlroy and Darren Clarke along with Scotland’s Sam Torrance and a host of celebrities.

“We have blended together the breath taking 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 Player.

Saadiyat Beach 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.

And as you make your make you down the 16^th keep an eye out for a herd of Impala brought in from South Africa and along with the African grasses in place it continues a very South African theme.

‘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 if you are looking for the most golf-friendly hotel in Abu Dhabi you can’t go past the  St. Regis Hotel and just a wedge shot from many holes on the course.

The striking St. Regis Hotel Saadiyat Island.

Below are some facts about Saadiyat Beach Golf Club:

• 317 acre par 72 beach / links style Championship golf course featuring 3 lakes and 67 bunkers
• Golf Course officially opened on the 1st March 2010
• Tee Grades:
  • Black (7806 yards)
  • Gold (7268 yards)
  • Blue (6733 yards)
  • White (5992 yards)
  • Red (5290 yards)
• Grass species:
  • Greens: Mini Verde Ultra Dwarf Bermuda (Cynodon spp)
  • Tees: Mini Verde Ultra Dwarf Bermuda (Cynodon spp)
  • Fairway/rough: Tifway 419 Bermuda grass, (Cynodondactylon)
  • Rough/native area: Combination of drought tolerant grasses including Sand Dropseed, Swing Side Oats Grama, Grace Blue Grama, Safari Tef and Firegrasses
• Type of flora:
  • Palm trees
  • Native Dune Grasses
• Type of wildlife:
  • Mountain Gazelles
  • Humpback Dolphins
  • Green & Hawksbill Turtles and multiple types of other marine life
  • Migrating Birds including European Rollers, Curlews and European Beeeaters to name but a few
• Practice Facilities:
  • 150 yard wide
  • 380 yard long practice range
  • Three superb short game areas