Jumeirah Earth vs Emirates Majlis: Which to Play
Dubai's two great tournament courses, ten minutes apart and both must plays on a serious golf trip to the emirate. The Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates is Greg Norman's modern monster, home of the DP World Tour Championship and the Race to Dubai finale. The Majlis at Emirates Golf Club is the historic original, the first grass course in the Middle East and host of the Dubai Desert Classic. Here is the head to head, verdict first.
Photograph: Jumeirah Golf Estates - Earth Course, Zsolt Sásdi, via Google
The verdict
If you can only play one, play the Majlis. It is the more historic and the more characterful round, the first grass course built in the Middle East and the stage for the Dubai Desert Classic since 1989, with the famous closing stretch beneath the wave shaped clubhouse that you have watched on television for decades. It is the more atmospheric Dubai golf experience.
But the Earth Course is the bigger, more modern test and the one tournament golf obsessives will not want to miss. Greg Norman's 2009 design stretches to 7,706 yards, hosts the season ending DP World Tour Championship, and finishes with a genuine risk and reward par five that decides the Race to Dubai. Play the Majlis for history and atmosphere. Play Earth for the modern championship examination. On a week in Dubai, play both.
Head to head
| Earth, Jumeirah Golf Estates | Majlis, Emirates Golf Club | |
|---|---|---|
| Designer and year | Greg Norman, opened 2009 | Karl Litten, opened 1988; the first grass course in the Middle East |
| Tournament | DP World Tour Championship, the Race to Dubai finale | Hero Dubai Desert Classic, on the DP World Tour since 1989 |
| Par and yardage | Par 72, around 7,706 yards from the championship tees | Par 72, around 7,301 yards from the championship tees |
| Character | Modern, muscular, water and bunkering in play; a stern but fair examination | Classic, mature, palm lined; strategic and atmospheric with a famous finish |
| Signature hole | The par five 18th, a reachable risk and reward closer that has decided titles | The par five 18th beneath the wave shaped clubhouse, a grandstand finish |
| Green fees, 2026 | Indicative; among Dubai's premium rounds, broadly comparable to or above the Majlis | Indicative roughly AED 995 in peak winter season, lower in summer |
| Best for | Modern championship golf and Tour history seekers | First time Dubai visitors wanting the classic, historic round |
Course facts verified June 2026 from club and tournament listings; green fees vary by season, day and booking channel and are inclusive of a shared cart at both clubs, so always confirm current rates directly before booking. Check tee time availability.
Who should pick which
Play Earth if
You want the modern championship test and the bragging rights of walking the same closing holes as the Race to Dubai finale. You enjoy a long, muscular layout where water and bunkering demand precise lines, you want to take on the reachable par five 18th that has decided Tour titles, and you rate a contemporary Greg Norman design among the best golf experiences in the Gulf.
Play Majlis if
You want the historic, atmospheric Dubai round and the course you have watched at the Desert Classic for years. You value heritage, a mature palm lined layout and the iconic finish beneath the wave shaped clubhouse, and as a first time visitor to Dubai you want the round that started it all, the first grass course in the Middle East and still the emirate's signature day.
Plan a Dubai golf trip
Play Earth, the Majlis and the best of the rest. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling, and one concierge secures the tee times, transfers and base, and costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Earth vs Majlis questions
Which is better, the Earth Course or the Majlis?
Both are world class and most serious golf trips to Dubai play both. The Majlis at Emirates Golf Club is the more historic and atmospheric round, the first grass course in the Middle East and host of the Dubai Desert Classic since 1989. The Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates is the bigger, more modern test, home of the DP World Tour Championship. Choose the Majlis for history, Earth for a contemporary championship examination.
Who designed the Earth Course and the Majlis?
The Earth Course was designed by Greg Norman and opened in 2009 as the home of the season ending DP World Tour Championship. The Majlis was designed by American architect Karl Litten and opened in 1988 as the first grass golf course in the Middle East, hosting the Dubai Desert Classic from 1989. Both are par 72 championship layouts.
How much does it cost to play Earth and the Majlis in 2026?
Both are premium Dubai rounds with indicative green fees that vary by season and day. The Majlis runs around AED 995 in peak winter season, falling in the summer. The Earth Course sits in a broadly comparable to slightly higher premium band. Rates are inclusive of a shared cart and move with demand, so always confirm current fees directly before booking.
Can you play both courses in one trip?
Easily. Jumeirah Golf Estates and Emirates Golf Club are only about ten minutes apart in central Dubai, so a golf trip can comfortably play both within a few days, alongside other leading courses such as Dubai Creek and Trump International. We arrange the tee times and transfers as part of a Dubai golf itinerary.
Related
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Course facts and indicative fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.