HOLE BY HOLE

The below is a description of the first nine holes – walked (many times) but not yet played. With any golf course construction hole lengths are susceptible to variation depending on the final fairway shaping (hence the “on plan” yardages)

Hole 1 - on plan to offer a 391, 375, 363, 319 or 310 yard par 4 is a relatively straightforward hole. Most players will lay up short of the three pot bunkers on the corner of the dog leg leaving themselves a short 100 yard pitch to a long green – but beware the back of the green is bordered by the Arabian Gulf lagoon.

Hole 2 – on plan to offer a 417, 393, 372, 335 or 316-yard par 4 – a great hole with high mounding along the right side and the open lagoon along the left. The design of the hole creates a funnel like second shot with mounding either side of the fairway to a raised green that slopes from the back to the front.

Hole 3 – on plan to offer a 553, 536, 520, 504 or 487-yard par 5 - a design modification has created a challenging par 5 with water coming into play on both the left and right sides of the hole as well as in front of the green. Strategy required both off the tee and with the second shot in order to preserve a score.

Hole 4 – on plan to offer a 162, 152, 136, 124 or 108-yard par 3 – a narrow par three with water to the left of the green. A swirling wind may well make club selection a critical factor in making a par.

Hole 5 – on plan to offer a 354, 338, 322, 305 or 289-yard par 4 – a more gentle par 4 with a soft dog leg from left to right. Again the hole is protected by water on the left and the green is well guarded with three large bunkers. Club selection will once more be critical on this hole.

Hole 6 – on plan to offer a 441, 432, 417, 371 or 355 yard par 4 – a great hole where the wind really will be a factor. High mounding left and right of the fairway gives a “dunes” like feel to the hole. A slightly raised sloping green compliments this nice hole.

Hole 7 – on plan to offer a 166, 156, 147, 133 or 125-yard par 3 – this truly is an attractive par 3. Significant shaping has led to an elevated tee playing to an elevated green that nestles into wind swept humps and hollows. A great view from the tee.

Hole 8 / 17 – on plan to offer 451, 436, 424, 371 or 361 yard par 4 – scheduled to become the 17th hole this hole will be played as the 8th during phase 1 of opening and will be the 8th of the floodlit nine. A long par 4 that players will hope is down wind. Running parallel to hole 6 with significant mounding on both sides of the fairway giving a funnel like feeling.

Hole 9 / 18 – on plan to offer 584, 561, 545, 477 or 463 yard par 5 – scheduled to become the 18th hole this hole will be played as the 9th during phase 1 of opening and will be the 9th of the floodlit nine. Hole 18 will probably will become the signature hole it’s spectacular!! The Arabian golf lagoon borders the entire length of this monster and often means the sea breeze is straight into your face. Some tees require carry over water whilst others encourage you to play left. The largest green on the course is a welcome sight as are the refreshments on the terrace behind the green. Even if the golf’s bad the view is worth the pain.