Emirates (Faldo)

Opened in 1996, it was originally nine holes and named ‘The Wadi’, from the Arabic word for ‘valley’. But it was re-designed significantly in 2005 by Sir Nick Faldo. A natural wadi runs the length of the course and is in play without being classified as a hazard. Allied to its 7,000 yards, more water in play and an exacting modern design, it is no baby sister to the older, more famous Majlis. There is more slope on the Faldo greens if it staged the Desert Classic, the scores might be higher. Stand-out holes include the par-5 5th, where you have to avoid water all the way along the hole as you make your way to an elevated green. It’s very difficult to get on in two and the wise play is a lay-up on the left. The short par-4 4th also has water on the right and the 6th drives over it. There are more houses on the Faldo compared to the Majlis but for most of the time you are taking your line off a skyscraper – which must be amusing for long-time Dubai residents, who will recall playing here when there was absolutely nothing on the horizon. Finally, it is also Dubai’s only full-scale floodlight course.