Why Dubai is a Must Visit For Golfers And Sports Fans

Those of you looking to play some iconic bucket list golf courses or be thrilled by fantastic sporting events should take a look at Dubai, the best-known of the United Arab Emirates.

It’s a world class tourist destination which really has it all - top class courses, awesome hotels, restaurants, clubs and a great year-round vibe, coupled with a fantastic calendar of world class sporting events.

If the recent DP World Tour Championship has whet your appetite or you are interested in top tournaments in the world of tennis, horse racing and rugby, then there are few better places to visit.

Where to Play Golf

Featured Content

There are 14 golf clubs in close proximity in Dubai including a number of icons designed by the world’s top names. Emirates Golf Club is home to the Dubai Desert Classic, played over the fabulous Majlis course, while the Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates hosts the DP World Tour Championship. Both have an additional course, The Faldo and Fire respectively. The Els Club, Dubai Hills, The Montgomery, The Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, and The Arabian Ranches are also up there with the best.

Our travel partner Golfbreaks has a great range of offers for golfing breaks in the United Arab Emirates, including Dubai. See https://www.golfbreaks.com/en-gb/holidays/dubai/ for details.

What to Watch

Over the years Dubai has established itself as a world class events-based destination embracing top class sports of all descriptions as well as major cultural experiences.

Those who love to watch the top professionals in action have a wealth of options as the 2024-25 sports season gets underway.

Fans can enjoy the Emirates Dubai 7s (29 Nov -1 Dec, The Sevens Stadium) the Hero Dubai Desert Classic (16-19 Jan, Emirates Golf Club), Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships (16 Feb -1 March, Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium) and the Dubai World Cup (5 Apr, Meydan Racecourse) to name a few.

Golf fans will recognise the host of the Dubai Desert Classic from TV. The Majlis course was the first grassed layout in the Middle East when it opened in 1988 and set the scene for what has grown to become a golfing paradise in the sun. It is also the home to a Peter Cowen Golf Academy.

In January, Rory McIlroy will be defending his title competing against the top players in the world. The Northern Irishman will be looking to clinch his fifth title.

Off Course

Dubai is a glittering oasis in the Middle East offering so much to those looking for a holiday of a lifetime. As you might expect from one of the globe’s tourist hotspots the city offers everything, beaches, a swish marina, opulent hotels and fantastic restaurants featuring cuisine from around the world. The shopping is legendary thanks to the expansive malls and traditional souks and markets.

When to Visit

Dubai has a tropical desert micro climate with two main seasons. The best time to go for golf and all outdoor activities is in the winter months between November to March when daytime temperatures average a very pleasant 24-32C and the chances of rain are minimal. The summer months are April to October, with average temperatures a very hot 45C peaking at around 50C, certainly too hot for golf.

Getting There 

There are a host of regular direct connections from the UK to Dubai by Emirates and British Airways to Dubai International Airport with flight times between seven and nine hours. Emirates fly from the three London airports plus Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Glasgow. British Airways departs from Heathrow.

Related Content

6 of The Best Golf Courses to Play in Dubai

Jumeriah Golf Estates (Earth Course) Review

Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club Review

Dubai Hills Golf Club Review