| While you're in UAE, why not try a round of golf | | | | has boasted some distinguished professional |
| on one of the world's best sand courses, and | | | | champions : Greg Owen of England in 2004 and |
| sample golf as it was originally played in the | | | | Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand in 2005. To the right |
| desert. Al Ghazal is unquestionably a very good | | | | of the 7th hole is a 4000 year old archaeological |
| and testing layout, although perhaps not as | | | | site. |
| easy-on-the-eye as if it were grass. Here the | | | | The oldest golf course in the Emirates is Dubai |
| entire game is played on sand, and that means | | | | Country Club's Al Awir sand golf course. |
| fairways, greens (called browns) and obviously the | | | | pre-dating the arrival of grass courses by several |
| bunkers. The course stretches out across an | | | | years. It is also the first course in the Middle East |
| upper and lower plateau, which creates some | | | | to host overseas golf professionals, when the |
| interesting elevation changes on several holes. | | | | Caledonian Lions toured here in 1983. Regular |
| Within its testing 6724 yards (off the white tees) | | | | venue for the Dubai Men's Open. Al Awir may not |
| are many excellent dog-legging par-4's, uphill and | | | | be as aesthetically easy-on-the-eye as a grass |
| downhill par-3's (the 11th is a gem), substantial | | | | course, but at a very respectable 6477 yards, |
| bunkering and occasional water hazards, the most | | | | and with many well laid out holes, good greenside |
| dangerous of which comes into play at the long | | | | bunkering, occasional water hazards and browns |
| par-5 17th, another excellent hole. The large and | | | | that have the pace and holding characteristics of |
| sloping browns, which include several arranged on | | | | normal greens. |
| two-tiers, roll as straight, fast and true as | | | | Many expats who have lived in Africa and the |
| anything you'll find on a grass course. Sand golf | | | | Middle East will be aware of the etiquette of sand |
| may not be to everyone's liking, but it is | | | | golf, which includes the following : only wear |
| remarkable how close to grass golf it comes - | | | | soft-soled shoes (e.g. trainers) - spiked shoes, |
| what's missing are all those lush green fairways. | | | | even soft spikes will damage the greens (called |
| The "greening" effect here, comes from a | | | | browns). You can play from an artificial grass mat, |
| pleasant array of palms and small trees that | | | | but only if you are on the fairways (marked by |
| surround the course and line some of the holes, | | | | stakes). Always brush the browns after you've |
| and of course the small artificial grass mat you | | | | finished putting - large brushes are provided for |
| carry around, for shots from the marked-out | | | | this purpose at each brown. |
| fairways. | | | | This may not be golf as you've known it before |
| Despite its proximity to the airport, the golf | | | | but you may just get to like it ! Rumour is that |
| course is surprisingly unaffected by noise from air | | | | even Monty became a convert once he'd played |
| traffic. Al Ghazal has been home to the Abu Dhabi | | | | at Al Ghazal ! |
| Sand Golf Championship, which in previous years | | | | |