NOTE: The following hole-by-hole description
by Ian Baker-Finch is based on the current routing of the Arabian Ranches
project and is subject to change.
Hole No. 1 (414 yards par 4)
The opening hole is
a generous dogleg to the left. The better player will be enticed to
carry the impressive waste bunker on the inside of the dogleg. The second
shot is a deceptive one, slightly uphill playing left to right. A truly
great opening hole.
Hole No. 2 (219 yards par 3)
A long par 3 favoring a left-to-right running approach. The long narrow
green sits into the dunes and is easy to approach. The putting here
is difficult due to the undulating surface and deceiving slopes. One
of the few holes with no sand.
Hole No. 3 (574 yards par 5)
This par 5 can be
reached downwind with two big hits. Against the wind, though, it can
be a monster. The desert snakes it way across the fairway making the
second shot both deceiving and treacherous a true risk-reward shot.
The approach plays slightly uphill to a narrow, two-tiered green set
right of a large sand dune. A fun par 5.
Hole No. 4 (459 yards par 4)
The tee shot plays
across a ridge with the approach playing slightly downhill. A large,
deep bunker guards the left side of the green. The easy way out here
is to play the second shot right of the green and chip back up the slope.
This par 4 is a real tester.
Hole No. 5 (479 yards par 4)
A great long par
4. Play the tee shot to the right side of the fairway for better access
to this huge green. The approach can be run in, but once again, avoid
the large bunker on the left. The subtle slopes on this green will test
every golfer’s skill level.
Hole No. 6 (430 yards par 4)
This hole is one
of my favorites, with desert along the left side of the fairway and
mounds to the right. The tee shot is a beauty. The gently undulating
green is hidden among the sand dunes, which makes club selection difficult.
A beautiful par 4.
Hole No. 7 (236 yards par 3)
This Redan style par 3 favors the low left-to-right running approach,
but to access the back pin placements, a high, attacking long iron is
needed over a huge deep bunker. Putting on this green will give you
nightmares. My all-time favorite par 3.
Hole No. 8 (579 yards par 5)
This par 5 can be
reached with two shots if the wind is at your back. The second shot
needs to be well placed down the right side to access the flag on this
long two-tiered green set into a spectacular sand dune. The desert on
the left will catch the overly aggressive play. Beautiful lake view.
Hole No. 9 (446 yards par 4)
Lake on the right. The water should not come into play as you drive
up the left side of the dogleg. A 3-wood may be best from the tee as
the fairway narrows in the farther you drive the ball. Best approach
to this beautifully rolling green is from the right side. A wonderful
dogleg par 4.
Hole No. 10 (451 yards par 4)
The landing area
is hidden from the tee but is actually quite generous. Keep your tee
shot close to the right side to access the long wavy green. A spectacular
sand dune hides the left side of the green here and it is much larger
than it appears from the fairway.
Hole No. 11 (483 yards par 4)
The tee shot plays slightly uphill on this long par 4. Bite off as much
of the left side as you can for a shorter approach. The fairway rolls
and dips, making the second shot deceiving. Chipping around this green
will be treacherous, as will be the putting. Four is a great score on
this tough hole.
Hole No. 12 (235 yards par 3)
Another long and
difficult par 3. The tee shot can be run up the left side, but to get
close to the right pins, you must carry the desert to the front and
right of the green. Once again, generous lay-up areas make for an easy
four but par will be hard to obtain.
Hole No. 13 (564 yards par 5)
My design partner,
Dirk Bouts, really loves this hole. It’s a beauty. Once again, a generous
landing area is slightly hidden from the tee. The green can be attacked
with the second shot but must carry a dune from the right-hand side.
A strategically positioned tree guards the approach to this beautiful
little green set into the sand dunes. Club selection on your lay-up
shot is most important here. One of the few birdie holes.
Hole No. 14 (444 yards par 4)
This hole is a real sleeper, a slight dogleg to the left playing uphill
into the sand dunes. The fairway slopes slightly to the right, with
the best approach coming from the left-hand side. The green is well
guarded by a large deep bunker in front. The green is receptive, but
tricky to putt.
Hole No. 15 (354 yards par 4)
This is a great
short par 4, and easily drivable for the pros, if downwind. For most
players, I suggest a fairway wood or long iron down the right side from
the tee, leaving a wedge approach to a smaller, angular green. Easy
par but there will be lots of bogeys for those attempting a 3.
Hole No. 16 (612 yards par 5)
A long straight
genuine three-shot par 5. The desert squeezes in on both sides, making
this hole quite intimidating. After two good woods, a short iron is
left to a long peanut-shaped green, nestled below the dunes to the right.
The huge run-off area left of the green will cause problems with the
approach shot and chipping.
Hole No. 17 (232 yards par 3)
A spectacular, long, downhill par 3. The easy approach from the right
may leave an impossible chip, but the straight approach must be long
and high to catch this majestic, treacherous green. The second of a
tough finishing trio.
Hole No. 18 (487 yards par 4)
The home hole is a testing long par 4 that once again favors the brave.
Fire the long drive up the right side for a shorter approach over the
large bunkers and desert. The easier approach is up the left with a
running second shot on to the green. The long green slopes downhill
from front to back and is surrounded by large mounding, ideal for tournament
spectators.
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