Saadiyat Beach
Gary Player designed Saadiyat Beach as the Arabian Gulf's first beachfront course, a par 72 that opened in 2010 along the dunes and salt water lakes of Abu Dhabi's Saadiyat Island. Often searched as Saadiyat Links for its links character, it runs six holes within sight of the sea and is the UAE's only Audubon certified sanctuary course.
Photo: Saadiyat Beach Golf Club via Google.
The verdict
Saadiyat Beach Golf Club opened in 2010 as the Arabian Gulf's first true beachfront course, a Gary Player design laid out among the natural dunes, beaches and salt water lakes of Saadiyat Island, a short drive from central Abu Dhabi and its cultural district. A par 72 that the professionals can stretch beyond 7,700 yards, it mixes resort polish with genuine seaside character, and on the holes nearest the water it plays with the firm, breezy feel of links golf.
Our verdict is that Saadiyat is the most distinctive resort round in the Emirates, a course where the Gulf is in view on six holes and gazelles wander the conservation areas between fairways. It is welcoming to visitors, immaculately kept, and an easy pairing with the wider Abu Dhabi golf scene, which makes it a cornerstone for a winter sun golf trip.
Saadiyat Beach Golf Club at a glance
- Opened
- 2010
- Designer
- Gary Player
- Type
- Beachfront links style
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- Up to about 7,790 yds
- Green fee
- Resort, indicative
Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026 from Saadiyat Beach Golf Club and leading course databases. The course was designed by Gary Player and opened in 2010 as the Gulf's first beachfront course, a par 72 that can extend beyond 7,700 yards from the championship tees. Green fees are seasonal and not quoted by us; treat any figure as indicative for 2026 and always confirm directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
Saadiyat's character changes as you move toward the sea. The inland holes run through palm groves and across salt water lakes, with Player's trademark bunkering framing the lines, while the holes nearest the beach play firm and exposed, the Gulf breeze turning a gentle par 4 into a real examination of ball flight.
The stretch along the coast is the reason to come, a run of holes where the dunes, the beach and the open water sit right of the line and the wind decides club selection. The par 3s are strong throughout, asking precise carries over sand and water, and the green complexes reward the player who flights the ball low and controls the spin.
The back nine, reworked in partnership with Nicklaus Design, finishes with width off the tee but demanding approaches, and the closing holes back toward the clubhouse give a ready made grandstand finish. Play it early or late in the day for the best of the light and the calmest air.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Public resort course; visitors and societies welcome, booked through the golf shop |
| Green fee | Seasonal resort rate, lower in the summer heat and higher in the winter season; indicative 2026, always confirm directly before booking |
| Booking | Tee times through the club or your operator; book ahead for the November to April high season |
| On the day | Buggies standard, GPS carts, full practice facility, caddies on request; resort dress code |
| Getting there | Saadiyat Island, about 20 minutes from central Abu Dhabi and close to the island's beach resorts and museums |
| Best months | November to April for comfortable temperatures; summer golf is best played at dawn |
Access and rate guidance verified June 2026; resort fees move with the season, so always confirm the current rate and tee sheet directly before booking.
Where to stay nearby
Saadiyat Island is built around its beaches, so most golfers stay in the cluster of beach resorts a few minutes from the first tee, putting the course, the sand and the island's museums all within easy reach. It is an effortless base for a couples or buddies trip that mixes golf with the beach and the cultural district.
For a wider Emirates itinerary, central Abu Dhabi is twenty minutes away and Dubai about an hour, so Saadiyat slots neatly into a multi course trip taking in the best of both cities.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Saadiyat Beach Golf Club.
Build an Abu Dhabi golf trip
We secure the Saadiyat tee times, pair them with the best of Abu Dhabi and Dubai and book the beach lodging around them. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Saadiyat Beach Golf Club questions
Who designed Saadiyat Beach Golf Club and when did it open?
Saadiyat Beach Golf Club was designed by Gary Player and opened in 2010, billed as the Arabian Gulf's first beachfront course, on Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi.
Is Saadiyat Beach a links course?
It is a beachfront, links style course rather than a true links, with six holes within sight of the Gulf and firm, breezy conditions near the sea. It is sometimes searched as Saadiyat Links for that reason.
What is the par and length of Saadiyat Beach?
Saadiyat Beach is a par 72 that the professionals can extend beyond 7,700 yards, with multiple tees that bring it back to a very playable length for visitors.
Can visitors play Saadiyat Beach Golf Club?
Yes. Saadiyat is a public resort course that welcomes visitors and societies. Book tee times through the golf shop or your operator, and reserve ahead in the November to April high season.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026; indicative seasonal fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.