Hole by hole guide
Click the play button on any movie clip below to view a virtual fly-over of each individual hole of the Saadiyat Beach Golf Club.
Hole 1 - Prelude
A generous landing area provides ample room to position your tee shot for maximum visibility into the
green. Hug the right-side fairway bunker for the best vantage point into the green. Be precise on your
approach shot as the green is protected by interesting contours and native grass on the right.
Hole 2 - Split Personality Be patient on this hole, as it is a true 3 shot par 5 with a risk-reward concept. A good drive will allow
you to have an opportunity to reach the right-hand fairway which will leave you with a better angle into
the green. The conservative play is up the middle, but be precise on your approach shot as the green is
narrow from this angle.
Hole 3 - Precision A large green with subtle undulations will demand an accurate tee shot if you are to have a respectable
chance at birdie. Avoid the two large bunkers flanking both sides of the green, as they are very
demanding to navigate. Choose your club wisely and make a good swing.
Hole 4 - Cora Solitude
Notice the nuances of the fairway, as the native grasses sneak in on both sides. Choose the correct club
off the tee to position yourself in the left center of the fairway, which is the flattest area. The uphill
approach provides a challenge, as the putting surface is partially blind. Be mindful of the yardage and
wind direction prior to selecting the club for your approach shot.
Hole 5 - Dolphin View
Enjoy the beautiful views, but don’t forget to keep the ball low into the prevailing wind blowing off the
Arabian Gulf. This very challenging hole provides great beauty, but also requires accuracy and length.
Keeping the tee shot in the fairway is a must, allowing for a better opportunity to control your approach
shot into a very demanding green guarded by water. Anywhere on the putting surface in regulation is
outstanding and par is exceptional.
Hole 6 - Saadiyat Breeze
Playing along the beach of the Arabian Gulf, wind will always be a dominating factor in choosing the right
club. Favor the front right of the green as anything more aggressive brings the two green side bunkers
and dunes into play.
Hole 7 - Desert Escape
This dramatic par 4 typically plays down-wind, which will be helpful considering it is the longest par 4 on
the golf course. The tee shot and approach shot are a bit tricky, so pay close attention to pin placement
and wind direction. Play conservatively on this hole, as par is an extremely good score.
Hole 8 - Right is Wrong
Make a decision off the tee to either challenge the fairway bunker or lay back and set yourself up for a
strategic approach shot. Don’t be enticed to go for the pin when tucked back right. Favor the left side
of the green as all of the trouble is right and long.
Hole 9 - Native Decisions
This stunning par 5 offers great variety and interest. Well-placed fairway bunkers will need to be
respected, while the second shot requires you to make a decision to either go for the green or play short
of the right fairway bunker. Water lurks close behind the green, so position yourself with an approach
shot that suits your game.
Hole 10 - Mousetrap A short and sporty drivable par 4 that requires discipline off the tee. Be aware of the deep pot bunkers
protecting the green before you pull the driver out of your bag. A well-positioned tee shot with a long
iron is likely to be the percentage play. If you choose to go for the green, you must be very accurate,
otherwise, par will be quite challenging to achieve.
Hole 11 - Players Alley The shortest par 5 on the golf course offers ample room in the fairway, but you must make a decision
whether to go for the green in two or lay up short of the right fairway bunker. The green is subtle, but
has a unique character that will test your short game. Hit your approach shot to the center of the green
and you will be rewarded by having a chance to make the putt.
Hole 12 - Panoramic The longest par 3 on the golf course with very interesting green contours will offer a great challenge.
There is ample room short, right and behind the green, so use these areas to your advantage. Be aware
of the pin position, as this will greatly affect your club selection. Don’t get greedy, as par on this hole is
quite good.
Hole 13 - The Dunes A fun and picturesque par 4 that looks more intimidating than it plays. Wind will definitely play a factor
on this hole, so pay close attention to its direction and velocity. The green is gently contoured, but
requires a precise approach shot if you are to be rewarded with a birdie attempt.
Hole 14 - Silhouette Typically playing down-wind with a generous landing area, I suggest you go ahead and “rip-it”. There is
an advantage to hit a short iron into this narrow and generously contoured green, so take advantage of
this downwind hole.
Hole 15 - Double Trouble
As the only par 5 with water coming into play on all your shots, this hole will definitely test your golf
game. A strategic and conservative game plan on this hole is likely to yield a respectable score. If you
are enticed to go for the green in two, you better be accurate as water looms on the right and a pot
bunker is short of the green. Hint: Use the contour left of the green to your advantage.
Hole 16 - Sea View
This may be the most challenging hole on the golf course. A long par 4 playing into the prevailing wind
will definitely demand your best ball striking abilities. A narrow green strategically angled will require a
precise club selection and execution if you are to hit the putting green in regulation. Consider a “bump
and run” shot into this green to minimize the impacts of the wind.
Hole 17 - Arabian Oasis The shortest hole on the golf course doesn’t mean it’s the easiest. Once again, club selection will be key
on this hole. Choose your desired shot and commit to it. Any shot reaching the putting surface should
be considered a positive result.
Hole 18 - Gulf Reflections A great finishing hole that will reward accuracy off the tee. Not a long hole, but placing your tee shot in
the fairway will make the approach shot over water easier to execute. Favor the left-center of the
fairway and then make sure to utilize the green contours to your advantage. This is a very large green
with strong contours, so carefully study the pin placement in order to maximize the outcome of your
approach shot.