Golf?

[Chilli]

Does anyone here play? And when I say play, I mean manage to get through the 18 in around 90-100 shots? I've just played the Al Badia course and loved it.

[dxbtiger]

Yeah there was a thread in here recently, about summer memberships I think

Al Badia is ok, lots of better options here though imo

[IanUAE]

Used to play off 14 when I was based in India. Not really played over here in Dubai though, last played weekly (for 3 months) in Riyadh but that was over 1 year ago.

Have they sorted out the foul smelling water and the foam in the water features? I played there when they had a "soft" opening and it was not so pleassant on the nose, or the wallet!!! The club house was a villa.

I still prefer Jebel Ali.

[Chilli]

IanUAE said:

Used to play off 14 when I was based in India. Not really played over here in Dubai though, last played weekly (for 3 months) in Riyadh but that was over 1 year ago.

Have they sorted out the foul smelling water and the foam in the water features? I played there when they had a "soft" opening and it was not so pleassant on the nose, or the wallet!!! The club house was a villa.

I still prefer Jebel Ali.

Blimey, you won't recognise it by the sounds of your memories. Tis a lovely place, with no smell whatsoever.

[Asterix]

I (attempt to) play.

Won't start again this year until September - too damn hot.

[dxbtiger]

I've just signed up to a load of the summer tournaments.

At the start of the year I set myself a goal of scratch by Christmas, that would let me play the qualifier for the one Amateur spot in the Desert Classic.

Currently on 2.1 (started the year on 3.8) so I need to sweat my way through 1.30 shotguns in the summer to try and get there.

As well, might lose a bit of timber along with some balls along the way!

[Chilli]

dxbtiger said:

I've just signed up to a load of the summer tournaments.

At the start of the year I set myself a goal of scratch by Christmas, that would let me play the qualifier for the one Amateur spot in the Desert Classic.

Currently on 2.1 (started the year on 3.8) so I need to sweat my way through 1.30 shotguns in the summer to try and get there.

As well, might lose a bit of timber along with some balls along the way!

Scratch? Oh well, that's you and me never playing then.

[dxbtiger]

Chilli said:

Scratch? Oh well, that's you and me never playing then.

To be fair in the summer its that bloody difficult getting round I don't think it matters.

My regular 4 ball comprises of a 15,19 and 24 handicapper (they all struggle to play to those as well), as long as the banter is good and no one dies of heatstroke then its considered a good day out

Golf is

a) too fking expensive
b) too fking frustrating

to have it any other way!

[Asterix]

...and that's why I rarely play now - too many 'Championship' course all charging silly money.

Don't get me wrong, some of the courses are wonderful, but I'm just as happy batting around a local municipal course back in the UK for £40 a round. You don't have that option here.

I guess the costs for building the courses from scratch out here are the same whether its top class or hacker class, so they may as well go for the former option.

[tamago]

Loving the game although I only picked it up 2 years ago. Part of the frustration is trying to find anyone mad enough to come out for a round at the moment. Got a default 28 handicap after a couple of rounds but now need to get around and try to break 100! Am making an effort to improve over the summer with lessons at the Creek. Have played so far:

Al Badia (challenging)
Faldo (very challenging)
Els (ok)
Montgomerie (one of my favourites)
Majlis (only played once and enjoyed)
Yas Links (very challenging)

[shirt]

i've got 3 interns [male, sorry guys] here from scotland for 3 mths. all seem to be keen golfers, keen enough they were at the festival city course on their first day here in the heat! i'm sure they'd appreciate people to play against if your regular group are staying away from the sun.

[dxbtiger]

I played Friday and Saturday this weekend, with an evening brunch in between, was a gibbering wreck after 9 holes yesterday, and it wasn't even that hot.

On the plus side, best gross and longest drive on Friday in the first of the Dubai golf summer series tournament for 2011, lying tied second in the table, game on!

[shirt]

to update, one of the lads plays off a handicap of 5, the other 15. they've been twice this week and i said i'd ask if there are any tournaments they'd be allowed to enter as non members. any idea tiger?

[dxbtiger]

shirt said:

to update, one of the lads plays off a handicap of 5, the other 15. they've been twice this week and i said i'd ask if there are any tournaments they'd be allowed to enter as non members. any idea tiger?

Yes mate, as long as they can produce a valid handicap certificate from home.

Direct them to the emirates golf federation website, tournament dates and entry forms available there. Plenty of summer and ramadan opens happening.

If they are here for a while it would be worth then joining the EGF, can get their handicaps updated then, plus reduced rates. Any clarification required get them to mail me - thisisrobbo at gmail.com