Golf in Dubai is played year round, but it is a hot-weather sport for much of the year, so most visitors plan around the cooler months and early or late tee times. The main courses can be booked online, and the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) runs the official handicap system for UAE golfers. We are not affiliated with any club or with the EGF, and we cannot secure a tee time or admission anywhere.
This page was written on 15 October 2026 from the pages listed in the sources. We could not open any club's fee page, so it publishes no prices: for a green fee, a membership figure or a visitor policy, see the club's official site.
The main courses
The Dubai Golf site lists these clubs and courses:
- Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club. An 18-hole Championship Course and an academy, described as a five-star leisure experience in the middle of the city.
- Emirates Golf Club. Described as the first golf course in the region, with the Majlis and Faldo courses and a Par 3 Academy.
- Jumeirah Golf Estates. Two championship courses, Earth and Fire.
The same site offers a "Book a Tee Time with Viya Golf" service covering Dubai Creek, Emirates Golf Club and Jumeirah Golf Estates, a visitor link, a golf holiday package link and a mobile app. It also lists premium golf and leisure memberships and shows no prices.
There are other courses in the emirate and across the UAE. The EGF says it represents over 7,500 members through 21 or 22 clubs, and gives both figures on its page.
The season and the heat
We have no dated season calendar from the clubs. As general background, Dubai summers are very hot and humid, and many players prefer the cooler months, from late autumn to early spring, plus early morning or evening rounds in the heat. Check each club's own notices, because opening hours, carts, maintenance closures and overseeding periods vary.
Practical rules for any hot round:
- Book the earliest or latest tee time you can.
- Carry water and drink before you are thirsty.
- Protect your skin and wear a hat.
- Use a cart if the club provides one and the walking rule allows it.
- Stop if you feel dizzy or unwell. See the injury and safety notice.
How to book
- Choose a course and check its official site or the booking service above.
- Ask about visitors. Clubs set their own rules on visitors, handicap certificates, proof of membership elsewhere and dress.
- Book early for the cooler months, and read the cancellation terms.
- Confirm the tee time, buggy, caddie and any minimum age, in writing.
We have not read the clubs' visitor policies, and we state none.
The handicap route: the EGF
The EGF's own page says it "administrates and provides official handicap to all EGF members and adapted World Handicap System in 2020". Its handicap login leads to the GHIN system, and a sign-up and renewal link leads to its membership page, where we saw no price. A Gulf News report last updated 6 June 2024 says the EGF launched the USGA's GHIN across the UAE, that golfers can post scores at kiosks at all UAE golf clubs, and that a GHIN app is available.
If you are visiting, ask the club whether a handicap is required to book. If you live in the UAE, ask the EGF or your club how to join and what it costs. We could not find a current price. Our guide to how to get a golf handicap sets the UAE beside the US and England.
What visiting golfers often forget
- Check in early. A club may ask for ID, a signed form or a handicap proof at reception, so allow time.
- Ask about carts. Some courses use carts by default and some restrict walking, so confirm when you book.
- Ask about balls and practice. A driving range or short-game area may be a separate booking.
- Plan the day. After a round in the heat, allow time to rest and drink before driving.
- Respect the pace. Hot-weather rounds are slower when players tire, so keep moving and look after the group behind.
Dress and conduct
Dubai clubs, like most members' clubs, set their own dress and conduct rules. Ask in advance, arrive early and keep pace. Our golf etiquette guide covers the usual codes, from shoes to phones.
Joining a club in Dubai
Membership at the larger clubs is usually a paid category with its own fees and, sometimes, a waiting list. The Dubai Golf page lists memberships without prices. See joining a private golf club for how admission usually works, and ask the club for the current terms. We do not publish a figure for any Dubai club.
If you are learning in Dubai
If you are new to golf and want a structured plan, our 28-day golf practice plan is free to read and use, and needs only a practice green, a chipping area and a range. It is not a lesson and it does not replace one.
A checklist before you go
- Which course, and what time?
- Visitor rules, dress code and any handicap requirement.
- Heat plan: water, hat, sun protection.
- Transport, and the time to check in.
- A few balls, tees, a marker and a repair tool.