‘RUMPLED, SAND-BASED FAIRWAYS SIMILAR TO SCOTLAND’

Nestled on the western shores of Yas Island, Abu Dhabi’s landmark entertainment destination, every hole at Yas Links boasts fabulous views of the Arabian Gulf... with eight running right along the coastline.

Despite the name, it is not the authentic seaside experience we cherish in Britain and Ireland, but Yas is nonetheless a high-class course that headlines a trip to Abu Dhabi (which has Saadiyat Beach and Abu Dhabi National as two excellent complements) and is the Middle East’s No.1.

Yas is a beguiling course visually, whether you enjoy views across sparkling water or take pleasure from rippling terrain and roughedged bunkers. Only Al Mouj in the Middle East comes close to such aesthetic appeal and, by way of useful comparison, few in continental Europe do.

The 17th, a par 3 of 200+ yards, is a cracker; shaped around an inlet in the coastline, you must fire over water and also avoid dramatic blow-out dune bunkers surrounding the green.

Yas Links is just 30 minutes from downtown Abu Dhabi and is now presented better than ever, making its position in this Top 100 a fait accompli.

Even when you move away from the Gulf, the tempo remains high. Some have the Yas F1 circuit, Ferrari World, Waterworld or Yas Mall in the background, reminders of the vast, nongolf attractions of this emirate.

“If you put Yas Links on the Ayrshire coast, I believe it would be looked upon fondly,” says creator Kyle Phillips. “Yas Links is a very authentic links, not only because of its rumpled, all-sand base fairways, but also thanks to the paspalum grass that runs through tees, fairways and greens, and the areas around the greens, which are firm and fast – similar features as the old fescue grass links courses of Scotland.” Chris Bertram