Tower Links

Just 10 minutes from Al Hamra, Tower Links is routed through a mangrove and with far less skyscrapers here than in Dubai or even Abu Dhabi, there is an open feel to it. The key bit of information you need to know is that it is not a typical resort course. It is not claustrophobic but is definitely narrow more often than it is open-your-shoulders wide. So unless you are very straight off the tee it often seems like you are constantly hitting between low-lying trees from sandy waste areas beside the fairway. That is why I would strongly suggest eschewing the 6,693 yards that represent the blues tees and instead opt for the 6,201 from the whites, thus allowing you to hit hybrids and woods off the tee. Also bear in mind that a stiff breeze is an almost constant factor, so hitting driver off every tee is really not especially appealing unless you are a very low handicapper. Adding to the test are water hazards that lurk on several early holes – notably the excellent par-4 3rd where rocks around the green add to the visual intimation – as well as thoughtful green complexes. Hollows and false fronts penalise anything slightly offline while the green surfaces themselves are really quick with subtle undulations. After the revered conditioning at the likes of the Els Club in Dubai - and the next venue we detail - you won't find many better in the Middle East. And that helped it squeeze into our Middle East Top 25. Tower Links - which gets its name from its clubhouse being shaped like one - offers a view of the amazing Hajar mountains between RAK and Oman on a clear day. You can expect a mixture of stout par 4s with sportier ones such as at 11 and 15. And the closing stretch sees a picturesque par 3 over bushes followed by a risk-reward par 4 and a sweeping par 5 to a waterside green.