Swing By ‘Desert Miracle’

Faldo Course Hole 1

• 432 yards
• Stroke Index 6

The first hole is a tricky opener that needs great care and where the driver is probably not for everyone. The tee shot should favour the right-hand side in order to get a clear view of the elevated green for the approach. However, too far right leaves a challenging second shot over the rocks that protect that side of the green.Too far left, on the other hand, leaves a sand shot from the wadi waste area. Check the flag position. It is important to get the ball pin-high to avoid a difficult putt on this undulating green.

• 206 yards
• Stroke Index

At 206 yards from the championship tee, the first of the par 3's favours a right to left shaped tee shot, although care should be taken to avoid the bunker guarding the left of the green. With a run-off area to the back left and bunkers protecting the front left of the green, club selection is paramount. The most forgiving place to leave an approach shot is short of the green, giving the chance to chip up to the flag.

Faldo Course Hole 3

• 546 yards
• Stroke Index 12

This introductory par 5 requires a blend of strategy, power and finesse. For the tee shot, avoiding the wadi waste area that envelopes both sides of the fairway affords long drivers the opportunity to go for this green in two. For those laying up, make sure yardages are accurate in order to avoid a series of deep bunkers.Distance control should continue to take precedence with the third shot to avoid getting into three-putt territory.

Faldo Course Hole 4

• 375 yards
• Stroke Index 8

A heavily guarded fairway with traditional Faldo design bunkers monopolising the left, and water dominating the right, makes this a tough tee shot. Ideally, the ball should be placed at the widest part of the fairway, between the second and third bunkers from the tee. A straightforward second shot leads into a green that is marked with danger, given its undulating slopes and run-off areas.

Faldo Course Hole 5

• 555 yards
• Stroke Index 10

• yards
• Stroke Index 4

Though pleasing to the eye, pinpoint accuracy is required from start to finish on this par 4. A tough tee shot avoiding out of bounds, bunkers and a lone tree in the fairway, makes this an extremely challenging hole. Play the percentage shots and double check yardages to walk away with a blemish-free scorecard.

Faldo Course Hole 7

• 426 yards
• Stroke Index 2

Possibly the toughest tee shot on the course, water hugs the right side of this dog-leg from start to finish. Once the tee shot has been negotiated, the second should be aimed at the left of the green to find the putting surface, thus avoiding the water that lies to the front and right. Don't be overly aggressive on this hole and maintain distance control to avoid lurking trouble.

• yards
• Stroke Index

A tricky, uphill par 3 to a largely concealed putting surface puts all the emphasis on club selection. The ideal shot will shape from right to left moving around behind the bunkers into the centre of the green. Any shot staying to the right will end up in a relatively safe position, from where a chip and putt par can be made.

Faldo Course Hole 9

• 363 yards
• Stroke Index 14

Though rated the easiest hole on the course, this par 4 needs full concentration. The fairway can punish with its unpredictable slopes, leaving an awkward lie for the second shot to a well-protected green. Favour a short tee shot to provide a flatter lie, thereby making the hole, and the end of the first nine, that bit easier.

Faldo Course Hole 10

• 509 yards
• Stroke Index 13

Prepare to use the driver! A generously wide target from the tee allows the luxury of hitting a long drive, relieving some of the pressure from the next shot. A long iron or wood to a green, protected by bunkers at the front and a run-off area to the back right, makes for a challenging second shot. It may be wise to favour the left of the green to steer away from potential trouble spots.

Faldo Course Hole 11

• 450 yards
• Stroke Index 9

The back nine continues in the same vein as it started, with another challenging hole. At 450 yards, the tee shot should not pose too many problems with a large target on offer. However, it is the second shot to this green, protected by water left and back as well as a cavernous bunker on the right, that will test the finest of ball strikers. Beware! Any shot slightly left of the green will be water bound.

Faldo Course Hole 12

• 158 yards
• Stroke Index 17

A nice par 3 requiring a shot of no more than 158 yards for the opportunity to put the ball close to the hole for a birdie. Bare in mind however, it is the green that provides the protection for this hole as it slopes severely downhill from right to left.

Faldo Course Hole 13

• 581 yards
• Stroke Index 15

A beautiful par 5, and another fine example of Faldo-style bunkering. Be sure to have a clear strategy for this hole from the outset. Lead out with a straight tee shot to avoid the wadi waste area that meanders through this hole. The second shot is the key to the hole. Put in the right position, it will allow a more aggressive play for the third shot, setting up a potential birdie.

Faldo Course Hole 14

• 389 yards
• Stroke Index 1

Judge the distance that provides a comfort zone for the second shot before committing to the tee shot on this hole. A deep and punishing wadi waste area runs down the right of the fairway, while the left features a taxing bunker. Anything finishing in either hazard could spell trouble with the second shot from sand over water. The green, one of the narrowest on the course, needs a shot of great accuracy and it is advisable to double-check the yardage before play. A lovely feature on the 14th fairway is the indigenous Gaff tree preserved from the original Wadi course.

Faldo Course Hole 15

• 433 yards
• Stroke Index 3

Without doubt, the 15th hole combines a visual treat with the opportunity to play some great golf. Signature Faldo style bunkering down the right of the fairway waits to claim any errant tee shot. A well-placed drive leaves a second shot to the green, but only after negotiating the bunker that runs the length of the left side. Otherwise, prepare for an uncomfortably long bunker shot. Enjoy the challenge!

Faldo Course Hole 16

• 597 yards
• Stroke Index 7

The 16th hole is a true par 5 in every sense, requiring three well-executed shots. Get as much initial distance as possible with a driver from the tee. Follow up with a fairway lay up, ideally as close as possible to the wadi waste area in front of the green. The key to making a par or better after a good lay up is to avoid the two treacherous bunkers either side of the green with the third shot. Negotiating two putts on this green and walking away with par is a hole well played.

Faldo Course Hole 17

• 231 yards
• Stroke Index 11

The longest par 3 of the course needs some accurate, long play to set up a chance of a birdie. Consider a long iron or wood to safely reach the green, keeping in mind the bunkers and run-off areas that guard it. At 48 yards from front to back, avoid any long putt challenges on the green by getting the ball pin high. Again, it is a hole where par is a very pleasing result.

Faldo Course Hole 18

• 485 yards
• Stroke Index 5

A true test of golf mettle to finish. The driver should be in every player's hands on this tee shot, but distance should not give way to accuracy as it is crucial to get a line capable of avoiding the wadi waste area that cuts into the fairway on the right hand side. A wood or long iron is the natural choice for a second shot that also calls for precision and nerve to manoeuvre past the dramatic cluster of bunkers to the left, and the water guarding the right of the green. Once on the green, most of the hard work is already done, but take time to read the slopes. Concentration to the end will pay dividends as a par on this hole makes for an exhilarating end to the round.

Majlis Course Hole 1

• 458 yards
• Stroke Index 9

This hole has been lengthened over the years to make it more challenging for the Tour professionals, and with a carry of just under 280 yards over the bunker on the left, and 290 yards to reach the bunker on the right, driver is the club here every time. The second shot is to an elevated green which is 28 yards deep. Always make sure to take into account the slightly uphill nature of the shot and take enough club to find yourself in the centre of the green as there are no prizes for coming up short and leaving yourself a tricky bunker shot. The green has subtle borrows but is not too challenging - putts can be holed regularly on this green. A great opening hole.

Majlis Course Hole 2

• 351 yards
• Stroke Index 13

The strategy here is to hit the driver again, so any errant tee shot slightly right of the intended line will go far enough to take you past the water on the right. A great birdie chance, normally with less than 100 yards for the second shot being the norm.

Majlis Course Hole 3

• 568 yards
• Stroke Index 5

The first of the par 5's is out of reach in two shots for most mortals - a few of the longer hitters can still reach this in two shots. The driver off the tee leaves you with a blind second over the hill towards the green. A sensible lay-up into the fairway, short of the greenside bunker, is required. By laying up at this 80-yard mark, this gives you a good opportunity to wedge the ball close to the hole for a birdie chance. This green is always tough to hole putts on due to subtle breaks.

Majlis Course Hole 4

• 180 yards
• Stroke Index 17

A fantastic short hole that proves to be one of the most difficult holes on the course, year after year, with water guarding the right side of the green. Try to play for the left half of this green and let the ball come off the slope into the middle of the green. Putting is never easy on this hole, the key being to make sure you leave yourself an uphill putt rather than a side hill or downhill putt. Be happy with a par here.

Majlis Course Hole 5

• 436 yards
• Stroke Index 1

Rated the hardest hole on the course, the 5th hole requires a well-struck tee shot. The drive needs to be kept in the fairway and the temptation is to hug the tree line to shorten the hole. Try to favour the right side, taking the trees out of play, although it leaves a longer second shot. The second shot should be kept below the hole if possible to increase your chances of a two putt on this steeply sloping green.

Majlis Course Hole 6

• 485 yards
• Stroke Index 7

The sixth hole, regarded by many as harder than the 5th, requires both power and accuracy - power from the tee to get you far enough down the hole so that you shorten your second shot to a very narrow green and accuracy of distance with the second to a green that is 50 yards long and very narrow across.

Majlis Course Hole 7

• 186 yards
• Stroke Index 15

A real treat of a hole off the back tee. The tee shot, over an expanse of water, requires you to ensure that you do not make the cardinal sin of being short. At just under 170 yards to the front edge, the breeze has to be taken into consideration when selecting your club. The key is to try and get the ball pin high to give you the chance of a birdie putt on one of the flattest greens on the course.

Majlis Course Hole 8

• 459 yards
• Stroke Index 3

With the tee box at the back, the drive to the fairway requires the ball to be hit 240 yards just to reach the short grass. The driver should be used every time here. The second shot is sharply uphill and the pin position should be taken into consideration when selecting your club. A good tip is to take one more club than you originally thought. The green is no pushover as it slopes from back to front, leaving some tricky putts to negotiate before the hole is finished.

Majlis Course Hole 9

• 463 yards
• Stroke Index 11

A great hole to finish the front nine with. From the back tee, driver is the club again with the run out to the water at around 300 yards. Care should be taken to avoid the fairway bunker on the right that would prove troublesome for your second shot. Once well placed in the fairway, you should always tend to favour the right side of the green as anything finishing there leaves a relatively simple chip or putt. Any shot leaking left may end up in the water with the green's slopes gathering the ball down to the water. Making a par on this hole is usually a relief.

Majlis Course Hole 10

• 549 yards
• Stroke Index 10

A great birdie chance with a wide fairway to hit from the tee and a green reachable in two for the longer hitters. Driver should be played from the tee and then you would normally lay the ball up to a comfortable distance short of the bunkers surrounding this green so that you can attack for birdie with some aggressive wedge play. A green with subtle borrows should be studied carefully before a putt is struck.

Majlis Course Hole 11

• 169 yards
• Stroke Index 18

A short hole but one that can cause problems as Ernie Els found out when he carded his only bogey here on route to his course record 61. Club selection is paramount as the green is 44 yards in depth, making it imperative that you try and get the ball pin high. A general rule of thumb on this hole is that if you hit the ball to the centre of the green, you will not be too far away! Birdies can be made here but be careful.

Majlis Course Hole 12

• 467 yards
• Stroke Index 2

One of the tougher holes on the course, this hole can play more like a par 5 than a par 4. Always play the driver from this tee and try and keep it down the left side of the fairway to try and shorten the hole as much as possible. The second shot is slightly uphill to an elevated green and with a fairly long shot coming into this green; the centre is again the goal. A tricky green with 3 putts very possible at any time.

Majlis Course Hole 13

• 550 yards
• Stroke Index 8

A risk reward par 5 where a brave tee shot can set up a birdie or spell disaster. A sharp dog-leg left provides an exciting driving hole for aggressive players. You can try and hit driver here and attempt to cut the corner to allow the chance of a birdie by hitting the green with the second shot. A good drive will leave around 200 yards to the green and the target would generally be anywhere on the putting surface. The safe option sees you playing right of the dog-leg and playing the hole as a true par 5. This two-tiered green is not easy to putt on if you are on the wrong level so always try to leave yourself an uphill putt on this fast green.

Majlis Course Hole 14

• 434 yards
• Stroke Index 4

Another dog-leg left. Picking the line for your tee shot is key. Again, try to hit driver from the tee to make sure you get a flat lie at the bottom of the slope, which comes down from the corner of the dog-leg. A downhill lie for the second could make this a tricky hole. Once on the flat lie, it leaves a fairly easy shot to a flat green and you should really be thinking that a birdie is a good possibility from the centre of the fairway.

Majlis Course Hole 15

• 190 yards
• Stroke Index 14

This par 3 may provide some real difficulties. Excitement could unfold if the pin position is back left at over 200 yards to the pin with desert just short of the putting surface. Take the yardage to the centre of the green and play for that point, favouring the right side of the green as anything left of the green leaves a tricky escape from the sandy waste, which is below the level of the putting surface.

Majlis Course Hole 16

• 425 yards
• Stroke Index 6

A generous driving hole allows you to open the shoulders and hit a long one. Driver should be the club for this tee shot. A relatively simple approach shot requires the priority to be distance control and club selection. Leaving the ball in the wrong place on this green could put you in three-putt territory with several tricky slopes running through the centre of this green. You should be hopeful of a birdie on this hole but not disappointed with par.

Majlis Course Hole 17

• 359 yards
• Stroke Index 16

A hole that can be played in different ways. You can have a go at the green with your driver if you are long enough and push hard for your birdie or try the conventional route of hitting the ball down the fairway, relying on a good wedge shot and making birdie that way. Make sure your tee shot is accurate - a second shot from the rough or sandy waste will prove tricky.

Majlis Course Hole 18

• 564 yards
• Stroke Index 12

All great golf courses feature a great finishing hole, and this is one to compare with the best. A birdie here will bring a marvelous climax to any round, but a par is always satisfying. With the fairway turning left 90 degrees, cutting the corner is a temptation difficult to resist, even if your best drive may still leave the green well out of reach. The second shot needs concentration to lay the ball up at your favourite distance. Be sure to clear the water with your third and enjoy the green that has seen great finishes to the Dubai Desert Classic over the years.