Current Course Conditions as on 25th January 2010

1^st. Nice thick grass awaits the wayward drive. A straight tee shot is crucial if you want to set up an attacking second shot to this well protected green. Not a very long hole but it plays straight into the wind in the afternoon making it a very difficult starting hole.

2^nd. A well struck drive here can set up an easy birdie for the longer hitters, but any approach to the green with a slice is in trouble with out of bounds right and long of the green. With 6 different tee boxes this hole can accommodate all playing levels.

3^rd. The correct club choice here is imperative. I would advise to take an extra club, if the bunkers short left of the hole don’t get you, you are left with an awkward chip across a very undulating green.

4^th. This is such a beautifully designed Par 5. Bunkers protect the fairway from whatever tee box you hit from. If you can steer clear of the traps off the tee than you can attack the green in two, but again, a large bunker on the left side of the green awaits the miss-hit approach.

5^th. The longest Par 4 on the course. Only the single bunker on the entire hole but its length and undulating fairways make it a very difficult Par attempt.

6^th. A deceptive, short Par 4. Bunkers protect the green so going for the green in one is not recommended for the longer hitters. A well positioned tee shot can set up an easy approach, but watch out for the out of bounds left and right.

7^th. As you can see from this angle, the Wadi poses a very challenging tee shot for the average golfer. Even if you manage to make it across you still have to negotiate the 3 traps waiting on either side.

8^th. A nice wide fairway greets the golfer here on the 8th. So much so that it tempts bigger hitters to open up the shoulders and knock it straight through and into the unseen Falaj. From the front tees take a 3 wood just in case!

9^th. This hole has a nice big bail out area for those who hit a fade, setting up a mid iron to the green. A nice finish to the front 9 with no major troubles to be had.

10^th. The views can often distract the golfer from the shot at hand on the 10th hole. A very tight fairway is crucial to hit if you want a chance to hit the green. Wadi left and bunker right. Pick the club you hit straightest and be sure to put it down the middle. A tough start to the back 9.

11^th. A nice fade into the green on 11 is the correct shot to play. The large hill on the right will kick any shot played to the right down onto the green. A welcome relief if you have to play a long iron or fairway wood into the green.

12^th. Number 12 has brought many a good round to a sudden halt with no reward to any shots falling short. You need to pray that your miss-hit catches the large bunker at the front or you will be reloading from the tee.

13^th. From the white tees, the 13th is an easy par 5 with only a mid iron into the green for 2. You must make birdie here to set yourself up for a tough stretch of holes to finish.

14^th. Long grass on the right awaits the poorly struck tee shot. A fairly large green may tempt you to take an extra club but out of bounds awaits the shot that is struck too well.

15^th. A long par 4 dogleg right with long grass and 3 massive bunkers protecting anything that drifts right off the tee. A fairly standard shot to the green is there if you can keep your tee shot on the short stuff.

16^th. With the wind at your back this can be a rewarding hole with the green sometimes reachable in 2, but players must play to the right side off the tee and into the green as anything left will fall out of bounds and keep our range ball levels well stocked!!

17^th. This dogleg right may reward the longer hitters who can bite off the corner. The OOB long and left of the green will put second thoughts through their head as it will penalize the wayward drive. A very smart and scenic hole with the Wadi carry from the tee.

18^th. Just a stunning hole but don’t get distracted. Anything heading left over the traps will end in tears with ponds waiting for donations. The smart play is to take a fairway wood or long iron to the right and play a mid iron to the green. But it’s the last hole….Finish in a blaze of glory!!