Golf in Dubai

It wasn't so long ago when Dubai was frequently referred to as one of the world's best-kept golfing secrets by golf travel publications and tourism brochures. Now, of, course, the cat's out of the bag thanks to one the biggest and best golf tournaments in the world, the Dubai Desert Classic.

As one of the seven emirates which make up the United Arab Emirates and home to a large expatriate population, Dubai is refreshingly cosmopolitan with a distinctive cultural blend of old meets new and east meets west. It is situated south of Iran and separated by the Arabian Gulf and, because of its position, nearly all international airlines make a stop at some point, so it is easily accessible.

Substantial government investment in recent years, particularly in the golfing market, has ensured Dubai retains its status as a major player in golf destinations. Many come solely for the golf having seen the world's elite on television during the Desert Classic on the European Tour, but Dubai offers so much more than just great golf courses.

It is now the tourism capital of the world. Unlike other great cities of the world, it is safe to walk the streets at night and is exceptionally clean. The taxi drivers are meticulously dressed, almost as if they have their own night-out planned. In this city, they just don't do things by halves.

No matter where you come from it's unlikely you will have ever seen anything quite like it. Eating out is an entire experience in itself and the hotels are special, to say the least. In fact, the stretch of hotels along the beach from Dubai to Jura are simply breathtaking.

Visitors to this corner of the Middle East not only talk about the golf, they talk about the experience, the welcome, the nightlife, the scenery and the whole aura of what is a truly amazing place.

The golf courses are, of course, famous in their own right. Even the purists among us will tend to recognise the Emirates' magnificent Bedouin tent clubhouse above our very own R&A headquarters.

The opening of the Emirates Golf Club in 1988 heralded the start of the golfing revolution in Dubai. Host to this year's Dubai Desert Classic and many more beforehand, it was voted the players favourite venue on the European Tour.

The Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club, to give it its full title, also provides every possible comfort. Water is a prominent feature so load up on balls just in case.

Although not as grandiose as the Emirates and the Creek, the Nad Al Sheba is in unique in that you can play at night courtesy of the entire course being fully floodlit.

To illustrate just how far Dubai has come in terms of its current standing, its oldest golf club, the Dubai Country Club, only opened in 1971. Here, you play on sand fairways and oiled putting surfaces which are known as "browns". The members are mainly expatriates and the course is still referred to as the local course and visitors are more than welcome.

Aside from the golf you will find plenty of things to do and places to see. You can take in a little camel racing, a desert safari or take a trip down the creek in a traditional dhow.

Not only is Dubai the ultimate golfing holiday, it's the ultimate holiday. Every single thing you see, from the magnificent clubhouses, the famous Dubai skyline to the overall experience of dining out, is an eye-opener of the highest order.