Trump International Dubai vs Dubai Hills
Two of Dubai's most talked about modern courses, a short drive apart on the inland side of the city. Trump International is the dramatic Gil Hanse championship test built around a gorge, with floodlit night golf. Dubai Hills is the polished, skyline framed parkland course managed by Troon. Here is the honest head to head, with our verdict up front.
Photograph: Trump International Golf Club, Dubai, via Google
The verdict
For the bigger, more dramatic round, Trump International is the one. Gil Hanse routed it around a deep desert gorge at DAMAC Hills when it opened in 2017, a par 71 of about 7,200 yards that is one of the most striking championship layouts in the city, with bold bunkering, water and the canyon framing several holes. Add a floodlit par 3 course for golf in the cool of the evening and a serious clubhouse, and it is the choice for a group that wants a memorable, testing flagship round and the novelty of playing under lights.
Dubai Hills answers with location and polish. The European Golf Design course, which opened around 2019 and is managed by Troon, is a smooth, generous parkland layout in the Dubai Hills Estate, far closer to Downtown and framed by views of the Burj Khalifa and the city skyline. It is the easier, more central round, well suited to a mixed ability group and an afternoon that ends in town, with green fees that start lower than Trump's marquee rates. Pick Trump International for the drama and the challenge, Dubai Hills for the setting, the convenience and the softer test. Given the short drive between them, the smart answer on a Dubai trip is to play both.
Head to head
| Trump International Dubai | Dubai Hills | |
|---|---|---|
| Designer and era | Gil Hanse; opened in 2017 at DAMAC Hills | European Golf Design; opened around 2019 in the Dubai Hills Estate |
| Layout | Par 71, about 7,200 yards, routed around a deep desert gorge | Par 72 championship parkland, managed by Troon |
| Character of the golf | Bold, dramatic and demanding, with the canyon, water and big bunkering in play | Generous, smooth and playable, a polished parkland test that suits a mixed group |
| Setting | The DAMAC Hills community on the inland southwest side of the city; desert drama | The central Dubai Hills Estate, framed by views of the Burj Khalifa and the skyline |
| Something different | A floodlit par 3 course for golf under lights in the cool of the evening | One of the most central championship courses in Dubai, minutes from Downtown |
| Green fee, indicative 2026 | At the higher, marquee end of Dubai pricing; peaks in the cool winter season | Off-peak rates from around AED 195, rising well above in high season |
| Who it suits | Groups wanting the most dramatic, testing round and the novelty of night golf | Groups wanting a central, skyline framed parkland round and an easy day |
Course facts and indicative fees verified June 2026; fees move sharply with season and time of day in Dubai, so always confirm directly before booking. Check tee time availability.
Who should pick which
Pick Trump International if
You want the most dramatic, championship round in this pairing. Gil Hanse's gorge routing is bold and demanding, the kind of flagship test a serious group travels for, and the floodlit par 3 course lets you play on into the cool of the evening. It sits at the premium end of Dubai pricing and a little further from the city, but for sheer drama and a round to remember it is the pick.
Pick Dubai Hills if
You want the more central, easier going round with the city on show. The Troon managed parkland course is generous and beautifully kept, framed by the Burj Khalifa skyline and minutes from Downtown, which makes it ideal for a mixed ability group and an afternoon that ends with dinner in town. Green fees start below Trump's marquee rates, and the convenience is hard to beat.
Plan your Dubai golf trip
Trump International, Dubai Hills or both, an easy pairing on the inland side of the city. 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.
Keep planning: Trump International Dubai vs Dubai Hills golf
Trump International Dubai vs Dubai Hills questions
Is Trump International Dubai or Dubai Hills the better course?
They are different experiences. Trump International, a Gil Hanse design that opened in 2017 at DAMAC Hills, is the bigger, more dramatic championship test, a par 71 of around 7,200 yards routed around a deep gorge, with a floodlit par 3 course for night golf. Dubai Hills, a par 72 by European Golf Design opened around 2019 and managed by Troon, is a polished parkland course closer to Downtown Dubai with views of the Burj Khalifa skyline. Trump wins on drama and challenge, Dubai Hills on location and a softer, more central resort feel.
How much does it cost to play Trump International Dubai and Dubai Hills?
Both are premium Dubai green fees that move sharply with season and time of day, with winter the peak and summer heavily discounted. Dubai Hills publishes off-peak rates from around AED 195 rising well above that in the cool high season. Trump International sits at the higher, marquee end of Dubai pricing. These are indicative figures only, so always confirm current rates directly before booking.
Which is better for a Dubai golf trip?
Most serious Dubai golf trips can play both, as they sit a short drive apart on the inland side of the city. Choose Trump International for the most dramatic championship round and the novelty of floodlit night golf, and Dubai Hills for a more central, skyline framed parkland round that suits a mixed group. Pair either with Emirates Golf Club, Jumeirah Golf Estates or Yas Links for a complete trip.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Course facts and indicative fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.