HOLE BY HOLE

Sets the tempo for the front nine, with stunning Desert Waste areas on the right and your first glimpse of the Eco Bunkers. A forgiving fairway allows the ‘driver’ to be slightly wayward. The green is not as protected as many others, with an opening Par beckoning.

Hit it long and straight on this par 5 — very little trouble to find from the tee to green. A real opportunity to score a birdie and take some pressure off your game later in the round.

The shortest Par 4 on the course (401 yards), however, the landing zone and green are well protected by Eco Bunkers, which could easily make what should be an easy hole your nemesis for the rest of the round. A generous-sized green protected by bunkers awaits, which, depending on the pin position, can make a one or two club difference to one’s approach shot.

A deceptive 228-yard par 3, where, if in doubt, take one more club to clear the elephant buried in the apron. Depending on the pin position, you may well end up with a Par — or even a double par.

The backdrop of Mango Trees lining this long par 5 (581 yards) is a welcome relief from the Desert Waste. The fairway gets tighter on the second landing zone with water in play on the left and a very strategically placed Pot Bunker 60 yards out from the green. The selection of club and accuracy for the second shot is the deal-breaker.

A deceptively tricky hole, a long tee shot with little trouble to find will set up your approach to the green with a long-range iron. The green is one of the flattest on the course; however, the green-side desert waste has to be navigated before even thinking about a 2-putt for par.

A great par 3 hole, some 213 yards slightly uphill from the back tee, where one’s selection of club is critical. Hitting the level where the pin is placed will avoid a putting surprise or two, or three.

A great par 3 hole, some 213 yards slightly uphill from the back tee, where one’s selection of club is critical. Hitting the level where the pin is placed will avoid a putting surprise or two, or three.

The beautiful front nine finishing hole dictates an accurate drive to ensure a mid-iron to the green, which is far wider than it is deep. Club selection is critical on the approach as the lake on the left and the four bunkers protecting the green are menacing.

A deceptively difficult hole, the feature mudbrick wall extends across the fairway (325 Yards from the tee) and plays mind games from the tee and second shot. The best option is to play safe and allow for a drive to land 170 yards out from the green. The green is well protected by the expanse of desert waste.

A dogleg left par 5 awaits. The first shot is clear of any hazard or bunker, setting you up with a range of shots to the second landing zone, which is well protected by three menacing bunkers. A birdie is beckoning; however, this will all depend on the club selection for the second shot.

Good club selection together with a committed hit, are necessary on the longest par 3 (243 yards), where you must allow for an extra club to an elevated green. A par on this hole is equal to a birdie.

Pull out the Driver and “let rip” on this long par 4, 460 yards. The key to beating this hole is your position on the drive. Inevitably, a long-range iron will be required into the green whilst navigating the menacing desert waste on the left and greenside bunker on the right. Walking with a Par will be an achievement!

A straightaway par 4 with a good tee shot down the middle assures golfers of a shot with a mid to low iron, to a green with only one greenside bunker!

A relatively short but strategic 387-yard par 4, make the most of possibly your last chance to have a birdie on the scorecard. One must also remain in the center of the fairway to assure oneself of a good position for the approach shot to a well-protected and elevated green.

A great test of golf awaits you on one of the toughest holes on the course. A 568-yard par 5, almost always against the wind, with a long, accurate drive required to set up your second shot, from where you will enjoy a short approach shot to a well-protected green, sitting amongst a strategic greenside bunker and water.

The game breaker par 3, 17th hole, where playing for the first time, golfers may well ask, “where’s the fairway?” Yes, your tee shot needs to be somewhat precise, as from the tee box to the green is all water with very little room for an error in club selection.

A par 4, 470-yard dogleg left, draped by a lake on the right and two strategically placed bunkers on the left of the fairway, brings you to the 18th green directly in front of the clubhouse terrace, where many golfers will be watching both your approach shot over the lake and your par putts!