How the United Arab Emirates is taking over golf

It is amazing to think that land which, not so long ago, was scarcely more than desert and dust has given way to some of the most dramatic and extravangant architectural developments the world has ever seen. And yet that, in a nutshell, is the story of the United Arab Emirates, which has been transformed into one of the world’s fastest developing nations in little over 30 years. With money to burn, its rulers have set about ‘westernising’ the nation - and, the good news for you and I, is that part of that plan has been the construction of world-class golf courses . . .

Who said money can’t buy happiness? Whoever it was, let’s find them, send them to the United Arab Emirates and see if they don’t change their mind. Fact is, you see, that there’s precious little the UAE can’t buy, hence why it is fast becoming one of the world’s most desirable places to live. Everyone, from the rich and famous to the poor and idealistic, is desperate for a slice of the UAE’s ample pie. How come? Because it is where extravagance is done to the power of ten, where opulence comes as standard and where ‘lavish’ doesn’t quite cut the mustard.

No dream is too big, no fee is too big. Not that it has always been that way, mind you. In actual fact, the UAE was only established in 1971 when the rulers of Abu Dhabi and Dubai decided to form a union between their two Emirates independently, prepare a constitution and then call the rulers of the other five emirates to a meeting and offer them the chance to join.

On December 2 that year, at the Dubai Guesthouse Palace, four other Emirates – namely Ajman, Fujairah, Sharjah, and Umm al-Quwain – agreed to join and enter into a union of six Emirates titled the United Arab Emirates. Ras al-Khaimah joined later, in early 1972.

The agreement was a landmark move and, since it came into effect, with an economy fuelled by rich oil and gas reserves, the UAE has flourished spectacularly, particularly in Dubai, where a heavily western-influenced ruler, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has bankrolled a wave of extraordinary, eye-catching developments. The sail-shaped Burj al Arab – the world’s first and only seven-star hotel – and the incredible The World islands are just two examples.

Remarkable amounts of money have been spent in reproducing the best of the west to the nth degree. Indeed, at present, there ­are $350billion worth of active construction projects in development across the country. Predictably, the golf market has been targeted, too, although not-so-predictable has been the emphatic way in which the UAE has woven itself into the very fabric of the game.

At present, it is home to 17 golf clubs, the vast majority of which are located in and around the city limits of Dubai.