Dubai Hills Golf Club: Inside One of Dubai’s Standout Golf Destinations
A closer look at the championship course, facilities, academy, restaurants, membership options, location, and visitor experience at Dubai Hills Golf Club.
Dubai Hills Golf Club sits inside Dubai Hills Estate, one of Emaar’s major communities in Dubai.
The setting stands out fast.
You get wide fairways. Desert landscaping. Lakes. Long views. And from several parts of the course, Downtown Dubai and the Burj Khalifa appear in the distance.
The club opened in 2018.
Its main attraction is an 18-hole, par-72 championship golf course designed by European Golf Design, with Gary Johnston serving as the lead architect.
Golf is the main draw.
But it is not everything.
The club also has practice facilities, a golf academy, dining spots, social areas, membership plans, junior programmes, and space for corporate golf activities.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Dubai Hills Golf Club |
| Location | Dubai Hills Estate, Dubai, UAE |
| Opened | 2018 |
| Golf course | 18-hole championship course |
| Par | 72 |
| Championship length | About 7,283 yards from the back tees |
| Course designer | European Golf Design |
| Lead architect | Gary Johnston |
| Golf management | Troon Golf |
| Number of bunkers | 83 |
| Course area | About 1.2 million square metres |
| Practice range | Floodlit driving range |
| Golf academy | Troon Golf Academy |
| Main restaurants | The Duck Hook and Hillhouse Brasserie |
| Main phone | +971 4 362 7555 |
| General email | info@dubaihillsgolfclub.com |
| Club location | Dubai Hills Estate |
Where Is Dubai Hills Golf Club?
Dubai Hills Golf Club is inside Dubai Hills Estate, close to the Al Khail Road corridor.
That puts it within easy driving reach of several major areas of Dubai.
Emaar has described the club as being around 15 minutes from Downtown Dubai, though actual travel time changes with traffic.
The golf course is surrounded by the wider Dubai Hills community, including homes, parks, roads, retail areas, and Dubai Hills Mall.
So it does not feel isolated.
It sits right inside a large residential district.
That makes the club useful for residents, members, visitors, families, and golfers staying elsewhere in Dubai.
When Did Dubai Hills Golf Club Open?
Dubai Hills Golf Club opened in November 2018.
The course quickly gained attention.
It was built as a major leisure feature within Dubai Hills Estate and became one of the newer championship golf courses in Dubai.
The land originally looked very different.
Gary Johnston and the design team reshaped large sections of the site to create valleys, raised areas, sandy sections, water features, and stronger separation between holes.
That work gives the course a more varied look than a completely flat desert layout.
Who Designed Dubai Hills Golf Club?
The championship course was designed by European Golf Design.
Gary Johnston led the project.
European Golf Design has worked on golf projects in many countries and has links with the European Tour Group and Ryder Cup Europe.
At Dubai Hills, the team used the natural desert setting as a base, then reshaped parts of the land.
Some holes feel greener.
Others feel more exposed.
A few have strong water features.
This change in character keeps the round interesting.
Dubai Hills Golf Club Course Details
The main course has:
- 18 holes
- Par 72
- About 7,283 yards from the back tees
- 83 bunkers
- Lakes and water hazards
- Desert-style waste areas
- Large greens
- Wide fairways in several landing zones
The course is built for different skill levels.
Long hitters can take risks.
More careful players can choose safer lines.
That choice matters.
A wide fairway does not always mean an easy hole.
Bunkers often sit exactly where aggressive players want to hit.
Water can affect the preferred approach line.
And several greens have slopes that make putting harder than the first shot may suggest.
Hole-by-Hole Course Length
The official course information gives the following hole lengths from the championship setup.
| Hole | Par | Yards |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | 397 |
| 2 | 3 | 164 |
| 3 | 4 | 377 |
| 4 | 4 | 450 |
| 5 | 5 | 540 |
| 6 | 4 | 324 |
| 7 | 4 | 440 |
| 8 | 5 | 605 |
| 9 | 3 | 220 |
| 10 | 4 | 380 |
| 11 | 5 | 593 |
| 12 | 4 | 462 |
| 13 | 3 | 184 |
| 14 | 4 | 457 |
| 15 | 5 | 593 |
| 16 | 4 | 408 |
| 17 | 3 | 203 |
| 18 | 4 | 486 |
The full championship distance comes to about 7,283 yards.
Other tee positions are available.
So golfers do not need to play the course at maximum length.
What Makes the Course Different?
The course does not stick to one look.
That helps a lot.
The front nine has stronger movement in the land.
You see dips, raised sections, sandy areas, and wadi-style features.
Some parts around holes 8 and 9 become greener and more water-focused.
The back nine brings back a stronger desert feel in places.
Then the closing holes use water again.
Basically, the scenery changes during the round.
It feels less repetitive.
Hole 5
Hole 5 is one of the most recognisable holes on the course.
It is a par five.
From parts of the hole, the Burj Khalifa and Downtown Dubai skyline sit in the distance.
That creates one of the club’s best-known views.
The hole also asks players to think carefully about placement.
Distance helps.
But position matters too.
Hole 6
Hole 6 is a shorter par four.
Aggressive players may try to take on more from the tee.
But trouble waits around the green.
That makes it a classic risk-versus-reward hole.
Play safe, and the next shot gets longer.
Push too hard, and a small mistake can cost shots.
Hole 7
Hole 7 uses a sandy ravine as part of the challenge.
Players can choose how much of the hazard they want to take on.
A stronger line can shorten the approach.
A safer line gives more room.
But the second shot may become harder.
It is a simple idea.
Execution is tougher.
Hole 9
The ninth is a long par three.
Water becomes a major visual feature here.
From the back tees, the carry is demanding.
It also creates a strong finish to the front nine.
Hole 13
Hole 13 is another par three.
Its green has strong movement.
Pin position can change how the hole plays.
A safe shot to one part of the green may still leave a difficult putt.
Hole 16
Hole 16 has a wide playing area, but that width can be misleading.
A sandy area and palms split the visual line.
Players have choices from the tee.
Some angles open up a better approach.
Others bring hazards into play.
Holes 17 and 18
The closing stretch has a strong water presence.
Hole 17 is a par three.
Water sits between the tee and green.
Then comes the long par-four 18th.
The final hole runs beside water and heads back toward the clubhouse.
It is a proper finishing hole.
Long. Visual. Demanding.
Golf Course Grass
Dubai’s climate is tough.
Summer heat is intense.
Water conditions also matter.
Dubai Hills Golf Club uses paspalum turf varieties that suit warm climates and can handle higher salinity better than many common grasses.
The greens use Platinum TE Paspalum.
Other playing areas use Pure Dynasty Seeded Paspalum.
This turf choice works well with the club’s irrigation setup and Dubai’s environment.
Practice Facilities
Dubai Hills Golf Club has a large practice area.
The driving range is floodlit.
That is useful in Dubai.
Players can practise later in the day, when temperatures may be more comfortable.
Practice facilities include:
- Driving range
- Putting green
- Chipping areas
- Pitching areas
- Short-game practice
- Teaching bays
- Indoor and outdoor coaching areas
The club also uses golf training technology through its academy.
Troon Golf Academy
The club has a Troon Golf Academy.
Lessons are available for beginners, juniors, regular golfers, and more experienced players.
Private coaching is offered.
Shared lessons are also available.
The academy has used tools such as:
- TrackMan
- Video analysis
- SAM PuttLab
- SAM Balance Lab
These tools help coaches check ball flight, swing movement, putting, distance gaps, and other parts of a golfer’s game.
The club has also run junior and adult group programmes.
Programme dates can change.
So current session dates should always be checked directly with the academy before booking.
Golf Lessons
The academy offers private coaching with different levels of teaching professionals.
Public academy material has listed 45-minute private lessons for guests, juniors, and members.
Rates depend on the coach.
Package options may also be available.
Because lesson pricing can change between seasons or brochures, golfers should check the current academy price before paying.
That is safer than relying on an old rate.
Par-3 Course
Dubai Hills Golf Club also has access to a shorter Par-3 golf course.
This can be useful for beginners.
It also works well for short-game practice.
Experienced players may use it for quick rounds or iron practice.
The Par-3 course is also included in some membership benefits.
Dubai Hills Golf Club Membership
The club offers several membership types.
Current categories include options such as:
- Full membership
- 7-day membership
- Midweek membership
- Family membership
- Junior membership
- Corporate membership
- Corporate wildcard membership
- Social membership
Prices depend on membership type.
Joining fees may also apply.
The club has published separate prices for single, family, junior, and corporate plans.
But membership fees can change.
Anyone planning to join should check the current membership form or contact the club directly before making a decision.
Member Benefits
Benefits depend on the membership package.
Published club benefits have included items such as:
- Golf course access
- Shared golf cart use
- Practice area access
- Reduced guest rates
- Golf shop discounts
- Coaching discounts
- Tournament access
- Dining discounts
- Troon-related benefits
- Access to selected reciprocal golf clubs
Some reciprocal arrangements have included Arabian Ranches Golf Club and Montgomerie Golf Club Dubai under set terms.
The exact rules may change.
Check before booking.
Can Visitors Play at Dubai Hills Golf Club?
Yes.
Dubai Hills Golf Club accepts visitor bookings.
Guests can book tee times without being full members.
Green fees change.
Season matters.
Day of the week matters too.
Morning tee times, weekends, cooler months, and peak periods may have different prices.
Dubai golf pricing can shift often.
So fixed green-fee numbers can become old very quickly.
The safest option is to check the club’s booking system before your planned date.
Golf Carts and Equipment
Golf carts are commonly included with golf bookings and membership packages, depending on the booking type.
Rental clubs are also available through visitor booking channels.
Golfers who do not want to travel with their own equipment can ask about rental sets before arrival.
Again, check the current charge first.
Golf Shop
The club has a golf shop.
Golfers can find equipment, clothing, accessories, and other golf items there.
Published membership material has also included shop discounts for some membership levels.
Discount rates can depend on whether the item is equipment or clothing.
The Duck Hook
The Duck Hook is one of the main restaurants at Dubai Hills Golf Club.
It has a British gastropub feel.
Golfers often use it after a round.
But you do not need to be playing golf to visit.
The menu has included pub-style meals, burgers, roast dishes, sandwiches, and casual food.
There is also outdoor seating.
The relaxed setup makes it popular with groups and families.
Hillhouse Brasserie
Hillhouse Brasserie is the other major dining spot at the club.
Its feel is different.
It is more of an all-day restaurant.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served.
Outdoor terrace seating gives diners views across the landscaped golf area and toward parts of Dubai’s skyline.
Families also use the venue.
You can visit without playing 18 holes.
That makes the club more than a golf-only destination.
Events and Corporate Golf
Dubai Hills Golf Club can host corporate golf activity.
That may include:
- Golf days
- Golf clinics
- Client events
- Group coaching
- Brand events
- Corporate tournaments
The academy has also offered group golf clinics for companies and larger groups.
Prices depend on group size and session length.
Companies should ask the club for the current package.
Sustainability Work
Water use matters on a golf course in Dubai.
Dubai Hills Golf Club uses treated wastewater for irrigation.
The course’s paspalum grass was selected partly because it can handle warmer conditions and higher salt levels.
The club has also used more desert-friendly planting in parts of the property.
A closed-loop wash system has been used for turf-maintenance machinery.
Sustainable Golf has reported that the system can save a large amount of water each year.
The club has also stated that it is working toward GEO Certified status.
That wording matters.
It means the club has been working toward the certification.
It should not be described as already GEO Certified unless the club confirms that status has been completed.
Wildlife Around the Course
Golf courses in desert areas can sometimes become unexpected wildlife spaces.
Dubai Hills has documented gazelles around the course landscape.
Arabian and sand gazelles have been reported in the area.
Their presence gives parts of the course a very different feel from the surrounding city.
Awards
Dubai Hills Golf Club gained recognition soon after opening.
Its recorded World Golf Awards include:
- World’s Best New Golf Course — 2019
- United Arab Emirates’ Best Golf Course — 2021
- Dubai’s Best Golf Course — 2023
These awards helped raise the club’s profile outside the UAE.
One point needs care.
Dubai Hills Golf Club should not be described as the current winner every year.
Award winners change.
So articles should mention the exact year beside each award.
Dubai Hills Estate Around the Club
The golf club sits inside Dubai Hills Estate.
The wider community includes:
- Villas
- Apartments
- Parks
- Schools
- Cycling routes
- Dubai Hills Mall
- Green spaces
- Restaurants
- Retail areas
Dubai Hills Park is also one of the main outdoor attractions in the district.
So golfers visiting the club are not limited to one activity.
Families can spend time elsewhere in the area while someone plays.
That can make the location easier for mixed groups.
Is Dubai Hills Golf Club Good for Beginners?
Yes, beginners can use the practice facilities and academy.
The championship course itself can be tough from the back tees.
But different tee positions give players shorter options.
Beginners can also use coaching, the driving range, putting facilities, and the shorter Par-3 course.
Starting with lessons may be the better choice for someone completely new to golf.
Is Dubai Hills Golf Club Only for Members?
No.
Visitors can play the course.
Dining venues are also used by non-members.
Some club services may carry member discounts or special access rules, but the property is not a members-only golf destination.
Best Time to Play
Dubai weather affects golf heavily.
The cooler months usually give the most comfortable playing conditions.
Summer golf can be very hot.
Early mornings and later tee times may feel easier during warmer periods.
The floodlit practice range also gives players another option after sunset.
Dress Code
Golf clubs in Dubai generally expect proper golf clothing on the course.
Dubai Hills Golf Club visitors should check current dress and footwear rules when booking.
Rules can vary between the golf course, practice facilities, and restaurants.
This avoids problems at check-in.
Contact Details
Dubai Hills Golf Club
Dubai Hills Estate
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 362 7555
Email: info@dubaihillsgolfclub.com
The club also publishes booking and academy contact channels through its official website.
Opening times can change during holidays, events, or seasonal schedules, so checking directly before visiting is smart.
Final Thought
Dubai Hills Golf Club has built a strong name since opening in 2018.
The golf course is the main reason.
It is long from the back tees. It has 83 bunkers. Water changes several holes. Desert sections give the course character. And the Dubai skyline adds something golfers will remember.
But the club works beyond golf too.
There is coaching. Practice space. Food. Family use. Membership. Corporate golf. Social activity.
That mix makes Dubai Hills Golf Club a useful destination for serious golfers, casual players, residents, visitors, and people who simply want to eat or spend time around the course.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Dubai Hills Golf Club?
Dubai Hills Golf Club is located inside Dubai Hills Estate in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
How many holes does Dubai Hills Golf Club have?
The main championship course has 18 holes and plays to par 72.
How long is Dubai Hills Golf Club?
The championship setup is about 7,283 yards from the back tees.
Who designed Dubai Hills Golf Club?
European Golf Design created the course, with Gary Johnston serving as lead architect.
When did Dubai Hills Golf Club open?
The golf course opened in November 2018.
Can non-members play Dubai Hills Golf Club?
Yes. Visitor tee times are available. Prices depend on date, season, and booking time.
Does Dubai Hills Golf Club have a driving range?
Yes. The club has a floodlit driving range plus putting, pitching, chipping, and coaching facilities.
Does Dubai Hills Golf Club offer golf lessons?
Yes. The Troon Golf Academy offers private, shared, junior, and group coaching.
Are there restaurants at Dubai Hills Golf Club?
Yes. The two main dining venues are The Duck Hook and Hillhouse Brasserie.
Is Dubai Hills Golf Club good for beginners?
Yes. Beginners can use the academy, driving range, short-game facilities, different tee positions, and shorter golf options.
Does Dubai Hills Golf Club offer memberships?
Yes. Membership options include full, midweek, family, junior, corporate, and social categories.
Can you see the Burj Khalifa from Dubai Hills Golf Club?
The Downtown Dubai skyline and Burj Khalifa can be seen from parts of the course, including areas around the fifth hole.



