Wadi Hole-by-Hole Account
Hole 1 – Par 4
411 yards
Stroke Index 6
The first hole is a gentle introduction at 411 yards (from the blue tees) taking the dog-leg approach around an expanse of wadi. A sensible play is down the right-hand side which, although adding extra yards to the second shot, will leave a straightforward attack to the elevated green.
Hole 2 - Par 3
200 yards
Stroke Index 16
The second, a par three at 200 yards, may appear a straightforward challenge but beware of over zealous club selection as the run-off area to the back left of the green waits to swallow up any errant tee shot. Equally, the bunker to the front left of the green awaits the timid, while the ever present expanse of wadi meanders its way from the tee down the right-hand side of the fairway before hugging the green.
Hole 3 - Par 5
515 yards
Stroke Index 15
First of the par fives, the 515-yard third again requires careful consideration. If the Out of Bounds down the left is ignored, a booming tee shot will bring the green within two-shot territory but for those with more modest ambitions of reaching the green in regulation, yardage consideration is vital in order to avoid the deep bunkers guarding the putting surface.
Hole 4 - Par 4
345 yards
Stroke Index 8
At 345 yards, the fourth is a delightful hole. Faldo’s signature bunkers perforate the left-hand side of the fairway, while the lake on the right means that tee shot accuracy is the key. Get this one right and placing the tee shot in the landing area will open up the hole to a par four or even better.
Hole 5 - Par 5
523 yards
Stroke Index 10
Watched over by some impressive new villas, the par five fifth is a chance to pull the cover off the driver and have a go. A generous fairway and healthy landing area protect the drive before the challenge of the approach shot beckons. With water coming into play in front of the green and bunkers protecting the lay up area, this is a challenging hole for most.
Hole 6 - Par 4
427 yards
Stroke Index 4
A carefully considered tee shot is required for the 427-yard, par four sixth. Big hitters may fancy their chances of clearing the bunkers down the left-hand side but the clever play is to take the percentage shot from the tee, avoid the tree in the middle of the fairway, and leave an approach over the green’s three front-side bunkers.
Hole 7 - Par 4
403 yards
Stroke Index 2
The dog-leg, 403-yard seventh is undoubtedly one of the toughest tee shots on the course. The characteristic left to right cross wind, the sight of water eating its way down the right hand side can leave you feeling uncomfortable and put pressure on the tee shot. Get that successfully out of the way and an approach shot down the left will take out the water at the front of the green – although, yet again, another bunker acts as sentry.
Hole 8 - Par 3
153 yards
Stroke Index 18
The par three eighth is a difficult up-hill test that will add yardage to the club selection depending on the breeze from the Marina. Although only 153 yards in length, it may often require a club extra to get over the guarding bunkers and while the green may look almost non-existent, it is most definitely there so trust the yardage and fly that ball in from right to left to avoid the traps.
Hole 9 - Par 4
355 yards
Stroke Index 14
Closing the front nine is the 355-yard ninth, which can catch the over-ambitious. A big tee shot can be carried all the way to the water at the front of the green by some wicked undulations so it’s best to err on the side of caution as a short tee shot will give an easier finish to the outward nine.
Hole 10 - Par 5
489 yards
Stroke Index 13
The back nine takes the golfer on a new Wadi journey that is one of the most rewarding stretches in UAE golf. The tenth, for example, used to be a par five but is now deemed a four-shot hole even at 473 yards. An accurate drive leaves a lengthy second shot to a generous but undulating green, opening the back nine with a par is an achievement to be proud of.
Hole 11 - Par 4
403 yards
Stroke Index 9
The eleventh maintains the challenge with a 403-yard test that ends with one of the most protected greens on the course, water to the back and a large bunker front right. The hole sweeps from right to left calling for a shaped tee shot and a fairway bunker is well positioned to catch an errant drive.
Hole 12 - Par 3
150 yards
Stroke Index 17
One of the most demanding and enjoyable aspects of the Wadi by Faldo is how the wind comes into play. Although the par three twelfth looks unassuming in length club selection is vital. A timid play from the tee will leave a challenging bunker shot to an elevated green whilst the overly bold may face an awkward downhill chip.
Hole 13 - Par 5
558 yards
Stroke Index 11
The Faldo test continues on the par five, 558-yard thirteenth with more trademark bunkering designed to catch the careless or the brazen. This is where position golf comes into play again as the snaking wadi that twists across the hole has to be skillfully negotiated if a par or better is to be added to the score card.
Hole 14 - Par 4
367 yards
Stroke Index 1
The 367-yard fourteenth is a visual treat from start to finish with a long iron or fairway wood tee shot needed to avoid the track of wadi down the right. Accuracy from the tee is rewarded with a second shot played towards an imposing Subka rock face over a small lake to a narrow green.
Hole 15 - Par 4
399 yards
Stroke Index 3
Tackling the par four, 399-yard fifteenth is another joy with two fairway bunkers staring down the tee shot. Successfully conquer those two foes and next up is a heart-in-mouth approach that has to avoid an enormous bunker running the entire left side of the green. Once again club selection is key, as the depth of the green often sees a seemingly good second shot finish well short of the flag.
Hole 16 - Par 5
571 yards
Stroke Index 7
The homeward stretch to the relaxation of the nineteenth hole is a mixed bag of tests. The monster par five sixteenth is a hair’s breadth off 600 yards from the back tees and requires three carefully crafted shots before a par is even a possibility. Again water lurks by the front and right-hand side of the green, while the ubiquitous wadi stands guard around 80 yards from the centre of the green.
Hole 17 - Par 3
218 yards
Stroke Index 15
Long iron specialists will enjoy the penultimate hole, a 218-yard par three to a bunker-flanked green that is among the biggest on the course. Even a well-placed tee shot requires a deft touch with the putter and a lapse in concentration can easily result in a bogey.
Hole 18 - Par 4
429 yards
Stroke Index 5
All great courses have a memorable closing hole and the ‘Wadi by Faldo’ is no exception. The 429-yard par four eighteenth will surely see a number of dramatic conclusions to club competitions as even a good drive to the heart of the fairway is no guarantee of par.
Clearing the wadi down the right hand side of the fairway is advisable but the challenge is not complete until the green is reached. That’s due, in no small part, to a wickedly-designed putting surface that is well protected by water to the right and front and by a gang of card-busting bunkers to the left. Hold your nerve and find the green with a long iron or wood and that first introduction to the Wadi by Faldo may well end up as a lasting friendship...
by Faldo’ Dubai Golf has a new star – and one that is every bit the equal, if not better, than the Majlis.
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