The Els Club, Dubai
Course Flyover Video Gallery

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Hole 1

Par 4

445 Yards

415 Yards

387 Yards

330 Yards

Ernie's Tip: A very hospitable start to your round as this hole offers a wide landing area for your drive but beware of the desert on the righthand side. That bunker on the left side of the fairway is best avoided. You’ll need to hit a sweet iron shot to ensure that your ball holds the putting surface or you may find your short game is put to the test early in the round. The best miss is short right.

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Hole 2

Par 3

213 Yards

188 Yards

146 Yards

114 Yards

Ernie's Tip: Classic risk-reward, this one. If the pin is cut left or even middle of the green you will need to take on the front left bunker which is where the risk element comes in. Upon finding the green the ball will be influenced by the slopes to move left to right and you may even find the ball has been collected by the back bunker. A par can still be had if you bail out to the right of this green.

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Hole 3

Par 4

443 Yards

389 Yards

357 Yards

311 Yards

Ernie's Tip: The decision you make on the tee is of huge importance. The longer hitters will contemplate flying the sea of bunkers rewarding a short iron in. The safe route may leave a mid - long iron to the green which is surrounded by bunkers.

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Hole 4

Par 3

178 Yards

148 Yards

116 Yards

98 Yards

Ernie's Tip: This is the shortest hole on the course, but it's no push over. The green is dome shaped like an upturned saucer, so you've got to hit a pure shot in here, otherwise the ball easily gets swept off into one of the run-off areas either side of the green. The green slopes back to front so over-clubbed shots leave difficult chips back down the slope.

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Hole 5

Par 5

544 Yards

522 Yards

485 Yards

400 Yards

Ernie's Tip: A real birdie opportunity if you can avoid finding the numerous bunkers off the tee which lie in wait up that left hand side. In order to find the green in two you will need to hit it tight up the side of the bunkers on the left. There is plenty of room right which in turn leaves you the smart play of laying-up.

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Hole 6

Par 4

405 Yards

384 Yards

372 Yards

291 Yards

Ernie's Tip: Deciding to play for position with a long iron or utility club makes sense but could also leave a very daunting approach given that the green is protected by severe drop-offs front and right.

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Hole 7

Par 4

440 Yards

379 Yards

354 Yards

283 Yards

Ernie's Tip: This hole looks scary from the tee, but it is actually a lot less intimidating than you might think. Play it safe with a fairway metal or long iron off the tee - that way you should the fairway bunker. Side hill lie will alyways bring the water into play.

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Hole 8

Par 5

562 Yards

514 Yards

475 Yards

438 Yards

Ernie's Tip: The landing area for your drive narrows between two large bunkers on the left and dunes on the right so the harder you bomb your driver the more accurate you need to be. Trying to chase the ball onto the green is virtually impossible given that the desert snakes up the right-hand side so the play here is to lay-up 70-100 yards short of the green.

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Hole 9

Par 4

507 Yards

466 Yards

418 Yards

374 Yards

Ernie's Tip: The longest par 4 on the course and demands your full attention. The tree in the middle of the fairway could jeopardize your chances of getting home in two if you don't hit far enough or up the right side. Your job is not done yet as you still need to hit a long iron or fairway metal to get a green that has fall-offs left and right.

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Hole 10

Par 4

467 Yards

438 Yards

403 Yards

337 Yards

Ernie's Tip: The back nine starts with yet another great hole. If you can shape the ball from left to right you will find yourself between the two fairway bunkers. This green is the longest on the course so don't be fooled into under-clubbing.

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Hole 11

Par 3

209 Yards

184 Yards

165 Yards

146 Yards

Ernie's Tip: This straight forward par 3 generally plays downwind but as it's slightly uphill, club selection is crucial. When the pin is cut near the front of the green it is easier to attack but beware of any miss-hit shots as they will inevitably find one of the four bunkers guarding this green.

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Hole 12

Par 4

429 Yards

396 Yards

379 Yards

307 Yards

Ernie's Tip: The only hole with no bunkers waitinf for your tee shot. However, don't push your drive as finding the green from the desert is extremely difficult. A well stick mid - short icon, avoiding the two greenside bunkers, will offer a realistic birdie change.

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Hole 13

Par 5

554 Yards

501 Yards

464 Yards

428 Yards

Ernie's Tip: If you've got the power, you can carry the fairway bunker. If not, you'd better be accurate because a visit to the sand here will cost you at least one shot. There's plenty of space further down the fairway, though, so you can be pretty aggressive with your second shot. The green features plenty of undulations with four strategically positioned bunkers waiting for any stray approach shots.

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Hole 14

Par 4

472 Yards

418 Yards

376 Yards

335 Yards

Ernie's Tip: If you can fly the bunkers you will be faced with a very manageable short shot but catch the bunkers makes par a great score. The more conservative play is to position your drive on the right side of the fairway which provides a better angle into this semi-blind green. Play for the right side of the green.

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Hole 15

Par 4

489 Yards

420 Yards

375 Yards

333 Yards

Ernie's Tip: Great hole this one. Easily one of the hardest holes on the course. Position off the tee is key to making par or bettwe. Don't be tempted to chew too much off the water. A mid - long iron should be aimed left of the green as a bail out option. Once you have found the putting surface you could face a lengthy putt with a number of double breaks.

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Hole 16

Par 4

350 Yards

316 Yards

290 Yards

255 Yards

Ernie's Tip: This hole offers the longer hitters a chance to drive the green. However, the punishment for lack of accuracy is shortsiding yourself requiring a touch of magic to chip it stiff. Using a fairway metal off the tee should leave a short - mid iron will still allow a chance to attack the pin.

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Hole 17

Par 3

212 Yards

194 Yards

164 Yards

137 Yards

Ernie's Tip: A hole perfectly set up for a player who hits a draw as the green sits diaganolly from front right to back left. Any shot that falls short of the putting surface will find the desert where your best bunker shot will be required.

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Hole 18

Par 5

619 Yards

557 Yards

516 Yards

426 Yards

Ernie's Tip: Only the longest of long will have any chances of getting home in two at this closing par 5. In fact finding the grass from the back tee across the vast expanse of desert is difficult enough. Play this hole smart though and a birdie can be found. Aim to position your drive up the right side of the fairway which will avoid the lone bunker but also allow you to see what's ahead. A good fairway wood will leave just a short iron to a green that slopes from right to left. Avoid the greenside bunkers and you are looking at a birdie... a sweet way to finish.