I’ve been very lucky over the last year to work on several projects in Abu Dhabi, this enabled me to arrange a trip for myself and 3 of my best mates to go and play it’s 3 brilliant courses.

Last Wednesday we left Heathrow on a BA flight at 9.30 am, It’s about 7 hours to get to Abu Dhabi and with the 4 hour time difference we landed at 8pm. Most other flights into Abu Dhabi arrive much later in the evening so this is a good time to arrive as you can get supper and a few beers before you crash.

We had 6 rounds of golf booked, so after a quick healthy breakfast we got into a cab and made our way from our hotel the Raddison Blu on Yas Island to Abu Dhabi Golf club. The course was in stunning condition and the guys were really impressed with the way we were looked after. After a quick lunch we were back out on the course to play our second round of the day. As it was St Patricks day a few beers in the bar was the perfect way to end our ABGC experience. That evening we got another cab into Abu Dhabi City for supper, Cabs are the best way to travel around as they are not expensive but be careful that you do go the quickest route, I’ve had a few experiences where the driver has bumped up the fare by adding a few miles to the journey.

Day 2 and we arrived at Saadiyat Beach resort for a 7.30 tee time, Again the course was perfectly presented, the background music played outside by the practice ground certainly mellows you and by the time you reach the first tee it’s hard not to be relaxed and ready to go. The guys really enjoyed the Saadiyat round especially the holes that are situated right by the sea.
After lunch we were picked up by a prearranged driver and taken to Dubai to the Nick Faldo designed Wadi courses at the Emirates. It’s about an hours drive but well worth it. Again the guys were very impressed, it was very surreal playing golf inside a city and when the floodlights came on we were all completely blown away.

We had a quick beer and supper in Dubai and made our way back to Yas Island, by the time we arrived back we were all very tired and ready for some sleep.

Day 3 and our final day with 2 rounds of golf at the brand new Yas Links course. Fatigue was beginning to creep in but didn’t deter us from really enjoying the Kyle Phillips designed layout. It really is impressive and hard to believe that you are playing a true links course in the middle of the desert.

The great thing about the end of this trip is that you have time for supper before you make your way to the airport for you 2.30 am return flight. You land back in London at about 6.am which gives you a day to recover before your back to work Monday morning!

If you are planning a golf trip with your buddies then I would absolutely recommend Abu Dhabi and Dubai as the perfect location.