Yas Links, Abu Dhabi FR

Abu Dhabi has been waiting for this one to be open to public for the last 1.5 years or so.

Designed by Kyle Philips, the Yas Links is touted as the first links course in the Middle East.

Since its opening at the second quarter of 2010, it became one of the newest golf courses in the Emirates and brings the tally of world class courses in Abu Dhabi to three (the others being the grand old Abu Dhabi Golf Course and the newer Saadiyat Beach Course), though a far cry from the dozen in neighbour Dubai.

I was there over the weekend for my first taste of links golf and expecting to lose a few balls knowing that half of the 18 holes are played just yards off the beach.

Conditions:

The general conditions from tee to green is a shade off the usual conditions I have come to take for granted in the Emirates. Probably because it and its staff are new.

The 6th tee was waterlogged, probably due to the extensive watering of the course in the morning. I could have sworn that parts of some fairways looked like they used cowgrass.

Overall, quite a linksy experience - wide open course with very few date trees in sight, lots of long grass lining the rough, one of the most undulating fairways I have played in, and not much water hazards coming into play (other than the Par 3's)


Difficulty:

A very challenging course for the many elements of the game which I found very interesting.

The terrain of the fairways posed many awkward lies for my second/approach shots on numerous occasions - even with a decent drive onto the fairway, you are always almost hoping that the good drive is rewarded with a decent lie at least.

This course does not encourage shots into the rough. I lost 6 balls for the round in the long grass even though I was sure I knew where it last landed!

Since Yas Links is near the beach, the cross winds that morning was always a factor and made it ever so hard to aim the shots confidently.

What I found really fun was that all the Par 3's are played over the seawater, making playing off the blues very rewarding and picturesque. Add in the wind factor and you would be very happy with a one on!


Green Fee:

Weekdays: 399 AED (155 SGD)
Weekends: 499 AED (190 SGD)


Perks:

Free use of range facilities (grass ranges, bunkers, greens) before/after the game and wonderful showering/shoe/club cleaning facilities, as to the standards with most clubs in UAE. Unlimited Nike range balls.

The restaurant has a fantastic view of the sea.


Recommendation:

Might need to give the club some time for the staff and course to get more matured, and I have no doubt this would be a popular course, even though it is 40km off city center.

Looks great...

wah.....!!!

Bloody tee box looks damm scary.

Are you teeing off fm black?

Hahhaa no lah bro.

I teeing off from the tournament tees. They just look black here cos all four tees same color....

Second Pic was Hole 4 - Par 3, 189 yards

Third Pic was Hole 17 - Par 3, 195 yards

Both were one onssss!!

Duval_S wrote:

wah.....!!!

Bloody tee box looks damm scary.

Are you teeing off fm black?

one-on par 3! eh, i'm getting 1 stroke from you for all par 3s from now on hor!

I have to say that the tall grass looks like a real ball trapper.... i'm guessing the greeskeepers are going to have lots of pocket money~

Wah, the links course looks damn tough..... If there is strong wind, jiat lat liao..

Thanks for the write up

Thanks for the warning!

I'm playing with jurongtiger on 31st! This weekend, I'm off to Maranello for a vendor presentation, followed by an appointment in a prancing horse

The course looks pretty good!

Greens looks like it needs a little maturing yet but I think it will turn out to be awesome unlike those back home.

What were the temps like when you played?

ghoonk wrote:

Thanks for the warning!

I'm playing with jurongtiger on 31st! This weekend, I'm off to Maranello for a vendor presentation, followed by an appointment in a prancing horse

Awesome dude! Both prancing horse and upcoming course to play.

Keep us updated with your review yea.

Hey... don't forget me...
will be in town on 31st....
If looks can kill, i think this course is tougher than Saadiyat...

Ya man! I guess the wind and elevation spot on.

Ok, i for all par 3's.

You give me 1's for all par 4's in return.

hehe

ghoonk wrote:

one-on par 3! eh, i'm getting 1 stroke from you for all par 3s from now on hor!

I have to say that the tall grass looks like a real ball trapper.... i'm guessing the greeskeepers are going to have lots of pocket money~

Bro, actually the greens was fine, firm and a bit fast. Its the fairways that got me thinking.

But still an awesome course, can just picnic at the 17th hole and sleep in one of the corners...

The weather in the morning was not too bad for summer here, was abt 38C with relatively high humidity nowadays at 70%.

The best time was still winter when we play in the low 20's and humidity at 40%....gotta wait 4-5 more months for that to happen and hopefully I am still around...

S70B wrote:

The course looks pretty good!

Greens looks like it needs a little maturing yet but I think it will turn out to be awesome unlike those back home.

What were the temps like when you played?

Eh bro dix!

if you are coming this way again let me know early. we teeing off in the morning. Can add one more ball!

Dix wrote:

Hey... don't forget me...
will be in town on 31st....
If looks can kill, i think this course is tougher than Saadiyat...

jurongtiger wrote:

Ya man! I guess the wind and elevation spot on.

Ok, i for all par 3's.

You give me 1's for all par 4's in return.

hehe

ghoonk wrote:

one-on par 3! eh, i'm getting 1 stroke from you for all par 3s from now on hor!

I have to say that the tall grass looks like a real ball trapper.... i'm guessing the greeskeepers are going to have lots of pocket money~

onz. you get 1 for par 4 and i get 1 for par 3, and we play level on par 5s ... hehehe

I think not bad leh this deal. hehehe.

Have fun in Italy and the horse. I wld be training hard this weekend.

hehehe.

should be an interesting battle. friend of mine just pointed out that i should give you 1 on par 5s, and you give me one on par 3s, and we keep Par 4s level

Which fren is that!

This new deal not good. Remember your official HCP vs mine!!!

Anyway, I think you are gonna enjoy the 31st at this links course. I suggest we rope in dix and one more fren to plug the flight, I am sure got angmo strangers that we wld be paired up with otherwise.

Also, remember to bring old balls...

oh ya, good point. old balls.

okay la, par 4s give you 1 stroke, swee boh?

i can get one more ball if you can let me know the rate. PM or email me