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![\"Al](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Al-Hamra-Golf-Club.jpg.jpg\")
<\/p>\nAsk any golfer where they escape to when the cold sets in, and the answers roll out on cue: Phoenix, Palm Springs, and the Algarve. This season, though, a fresh contender in the United Arab Emirates joins the list: Ras Al Khaimah.<\/p>\n
Ras Al Khaimah has recently garnered global attention when Al Hamra Golf Club hosted the DP World Tour on five occasions since 2022. It piqued the curiosity of players and travelling golfers, motivating them to take a second look at this course.<\/p>\n
The Tour isn\u2019t returning to Al Hamra in 2026, but the excitement the event brought to the emirate hasn\u2019t faded. This afterglow, together with Ras Al Khaimah\u2019s championship golf courses, nearly year-round sunshine, and beautiful coastline, make this emirate a great winter golf vacation destination.<\/p>\n
Ras Al Khaimah Golf Trip Itinerary<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s a sample itinerary for a golf vacation in Ras Al Khaimah:<\/p>\n
Stop 1: Al Hamra Golf Club
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Al Hamra Golf Club<\/p>\n
The Al Hamra Golf Club<\/a> in Ras Al Khaimah is a par-72, 18-hole championship golf course designed by renowned Swiss architect Peter Harradine. First opened in 2007, it is a tour-tested layout that hosted the DP World Tour in 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025, and the HotelPlanner Tour from 2016 to 2018.<\/p>\n What it\u2019s like to play:<\/p>\n The entire course measures around 7,400 yards (6,698 meters), winding around four interconnected lagoons that merge with the Arabian Gulf. Its front nine holes measure 3,578 yards (3,271.72 meters) and make their way out from the clubhouse. It warms you up with broad fairways and breeze-influenced approach shots.<\/p>\n The back nine holes, measuring 3,747 yards (3,426.26 meters), is where things tighten and the course reveals its personality. Holes 12 to 15 form the stretch many golfers talk about: its water-hugging doglegs and approach shots are not for the hesitant golfers.<\/p>\n Architectural character:<\/p>\n Five tee boxes on every hole Al Hamra is the region\u2019s first 100% plastic-free golf club, giving it an eco-edge now seen across most Middle Eastern courses.<\/p>\n Stop 2: Tower Links Golf Club Tower Links Golf Course<\/p>\n Opened in 2004, Tower Links Golf Club<\/a> is an 18-hole, par-72 golf course designed by landscape architect Gerald Williams. It is considered one of the most natural courses in the UAE, as its layout winds through a protected mangrove ecosystem framed by the Hajar Mountains.<\/p>\n The golf club hosted the MENA Tour from 2011 to 2016 and in 2019.<\/p>\n What it\u2019s like to play:<\/p>\n The golf club covers 7,098 yards (6,490.41 meters) and features 11 courses winding through a mangrove area. Its greens are wavy and challenging, with many doglegs, water hazards, and curved sand bunkers.<\/p>\n The fairways bend around mangrove fingers, with wading birds frequently drifting across sightlines. The back nine holes look like a postcard you somehow get to walk through, especially at sunset.<\/p>\n Architectural character:<\/p>\n Four tee options on every hole The club is a cross between a desert and a parkland course.<\/p>\n Ras Al Khaimah hotels for golf holidays<\/p>\n Local experts from the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority recommend these top accommodation options near Al Hamra Golf Club:<\/p>\n Sofitel Al Hamra Beach Resort \u2014 perfectly convenient for golfers, as it\u2019s adjacent to the Al Hamra Golf Club. The Rixos Al Mairid Ras Al Khaimah is a top accommodation option for those who choose to play and stay near Tower Links Golf Club.<\/p>\n Off-course activities<\/p>\n In addition to playing golf, there are plenty of other things to do in the \u201cNature Emirate.\u201d Here are some of them:<\/p>\n Conquer the world\u2019s longest zipline The emirate\u2019s selection of spas offers soothing, rejuvenating treatments perfect for post-golf activities.<\/p>\n Side trip: Watch the 2026 DP World Tour \u2013 Dubai Swing<\/p>\n Ras Al Khaimah is about 1 to 1.5 hours from Dubai. It\u2019s the perfect reason for a little road trip if you\u2019re planning to watch the 2026 leg of the DP World Tour (the Dubai Invitational, from January 16 to 19, and the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, from January 22 to 25).\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Winter weather conditions<\/p>\n The Ras Al Khaimah winter is made for long rounds. Average daytime temperatures range from 180C to 250C. At night, it can go as low as 120C. Although rare, it may rain.<\/p>\n Wind may also be present on the courses, but it won\u2019t pose any problems with your tee time.<\/p>\n These conditions make winter the best time to play golf in the emirate, even for long hours.<\/p>\n Things to bring<\/p>\n In addition to your must-have travelling clothes, shoes, and other essentials, pack the following for the perfect Ras Al Khaimah golf vacation:<\/p>\n Travel-friendly golf equipment (if preferred) Bring your swimsuit to soak in the pool or jacuzzi after a round of golf.\u00a0<\/p>\n Why Ras Al Khaimah deserves a spot on your golf map<\/p>\n RAK won\u2019t overwhelm you with hype. Al Hamra shows its tour credentials without shouting about them, and Tower Links gives you a walk through mangroves you didn\u2019t know existed.<\/p>\n Put simply, RAK is a detour that may delightfully surprise even the most well-travelled golfer.<\/p>\n Follow Golf Digest Middle East on social media<\/p>\n
\nTournament-style green complexes
\nLagoon lines that influence club selection
\nA composite 9-hole routing for late-afternoon loops
\nA floodlit driving range and practice area<\/p>\n
\n![\"Tower](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Tower-Links-Golf-Course.jpg\")
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\nEleven holes that interact directly with mangroves
\nWater and bunkering that force commitment
\nA separate teaching tee<\/p>\n
\nWaldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah \u2014 a luxury beachside resort with the easiest course access.
\nThe Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Hamra Beach \u2014 offers villas for groups who want a secluded, post-round wind-down.
\nAl Hamra Village Hotel \u2014 another hotel adjacent to the golf club that offers excellent views of the golf course and gardens.<\/p>\n
\nExperience gliding on six different ziplines
\nGo on sky-high adventures aboard the EXTRA 330 or a hot air balloon
\nJoin sightseeing tours via an abra or speedboat
\nExperience hiking and camping
\nTake a pearl farm tour
\nEmbark on a desert safari
\nEnjoy both exciting and relaxing activities on Ras Al Khaimah\u2019s beaches<\/p>\n
\nHat or visor, sunglasses, and high-SPF sunscreen
\nSpikeless golf shoes
\nTwo or three golfing gloves
\nLight but warm jacket or sweater
\nA lightweight umbrella for shade<\/p>\n