While it’s not a totally new craze, floodlit golf is certainly taking off in Abu Dhabi right now – in a big way. As the weather heats up, there’s no better time to get your regular round in than after you leave the office. TOAD heads off to Abu Dhabi Golf Club to speak to director of club operations Scott McCaw about why so many residents are taking up golf after dark.
Floodlit golf has become really popular in Abu Dhabi. Why is that?
Because of the climate, this country is perfectly suited to night golf. In the UK it’s the total opposite, which is why it is more popular here. The nights come pretty early in Abu Dhabi – it’s certainly too dark to play without lights after 7pm, but it is still warm enough. In the UK the summer days are longer so you can play later into the evening, but you wouldn’t want to play after the sun goes down. It’s just too cold.
Tell us a bit about Abu Dhabi Golf Club’s floodlit course.
There have always been two courses at Abu Dhabi Golf Club: the Championship course (which doesn’t have lights) and the Garden course. The Garden course was reduced to nine holes and floodlights were reintroduced in 2011, and ever since the course has been really popular. The quality of the lights is brilliant and it’s not just a par-3 course, it’s a par-36 with two par-5s and two par-3s, so it’s a proper test of golfing skills. This has added to its popularity. And the thing that people like about the night course in particular is the variety of holes: there are long and short par-4s as well.
Do members and regulars prefer night-time to daytime golf?
Night golf suits a lot of people because you can finish work a bit later and still get a round in. The last tee time is at 9pm and it only takes two hours to finish the course. A mixture of members and non-members play, and club membership includes night golf.
Is there any difference in the atmosphere at night?
The general feeling is that night golf is a bit more sociable than 18 holes during the day, because it’s something of a novelty to people who don’t play under floodlights regularly. The result is a game that’s a bit less serious. The time you play is another factor: it’s outside of work hours, so you can come out and have a beverage, which you wouldn’t do at 9am, and enjoy a game under less pressure. If you’re a guest and you pay green fees to play 18 holes, you would take the game more seriously because you want to play well. For night golf, the cost is far less, you can have a laugh and relax a lot more. It is a different way of playing, and a lot of fun. The food and beverage cart still goes round the golf course at night, so you won’t miss out on that, and if it’s a quiet night you can get in a round in an hour and a half, which players really value.
How easy is it to play in the dark? Do people tend to struggle under the lights?
It does take a little bit of time to adjust because it’s so different. But I actually think it’s easier to see the ball at night than it is in bright daylight. The lights are all positioned behind you, never facing you, so whenever you hit the ball you can track it against the dark sky. Putting is slightly different because you’ve got light shining on the green from more than one angle, but once you get used to it, the technical aspects are fine.
Are there any other facilities that are floodlit?
Our driving range is floodlit as well. That’s open at the same time, and 9:30pm is last tee time there. So you can play on the range right up until you tee off.
How difficult is the course?
It’s tough but manageable. We don’t allow complete beginners on the course, but novices can go out and not feel embarrassed – whereas they might struggle on the daytime Championship course. There are developmental tees as well, so on each hole you have four tees to choose from, meaning you can make the course as tough or as easy as you like.
When can we play, and how much does it cost?
For non-members, the cost is Dhs250 for nine holes, or Dhs225 if you’re a guest of a member – so it’s significantly cheaper than the Championship course. That includes a golf cart and unlimited use of the range, as well as a game of golf. Tee times are from 5pm onwards. The busiest times are between 6pm and 8pm, particularly Sunday to Wednesday, and you need to book a tee
time before you arrive.
Floodlit golf at Abu Dhabi Golf course is available daily from 5pm-9.30pm. Sas Al Nakhl, www.adgolfclub.com (02 558 8990).
Night spots
Abu Dhabi Golf Club isn’t the only course offering golf by moonlight
Abu Dhabi City Golf Club
Abu Dhabi City Golf Club has floodlights over its entire par-35 nine-hole course. Golfers of all levels can play after dark seven days a week. The last tee time is at 9pm, making a trip to the course a great post-work activity – especially considering the club’s proximity to the centre of town. Coaching facilities are also open under floodlights until 11pm.
Green fees start at Dhs145 for nine holes, including cart. Rates for playing 18 holes partially under floodlights are also available. 19th and 24th Street, Al Mushrif, www.adcitygolf.ae (02 445 9600).
Yas Links
At Yas Links the par-3 Academy course is fully floodlit until 10.30pm, meaning golfers can tee off as late as 9pm and still get a round in. The practice areas are also under lights. For Dhs100 golfers can enjoy unlimited practice on the driving range and putting green, or a round on the par-3 course (with an extra Dhs50 to add unlimited pre-round practice to the game). The most popular package is the Spinneys par-3 night: players can hit the practice ground, get a round in, and use a two-for-one beverage voucher at Hickorys (the clubhouse bar and restaurant), all for Dhs100. This offer is available Sunday to Thursday 6pm-9pm.
Green fees for the par-3 Academy course start at Dhs100. Yas Island, www.yaslinks.com (02 810 7777).
