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hether you’re an absolute beginner or a seasoned pro, Al Badia Golf Club in Dubai Festival City offers one of the best golfing experiences in the

Al Badia Golf Club

emirate. With a floodlit driving range, practice putting green, chipping area and perfectly manicured 18-hole, par-72 course, this leading club is home to all the usual facilities you would expect of a world-class golfing centre. What really sets it apart, however, is the Golf Academy. This state-of-the-art institution includes the TaylorMade Performance Lab, which uses motion capture technology to design and build a club matched to your individual swing, allowing you to hit the ball longer and straighter with better control. “ What golfers feel they are doing and what they are actually doing is usually very different,” explains club professional Ed Chapman. “ Being able to see your swing in 3D is key to making changes and improving your golf swing, therefore lowering your scores.” A two-hour session at the Lab, the only one of its kind in the region, includes analysis for drivers, fairway woods, hybrids, irons, wedges and putters. Putting Perfection The Golf Academy is also home to the Science and Motion (SAM) PuttLab, set up to improve your putting skills. The system uses ultrasound sensory technology and mathematical algorithms to map the three-dimensional movement of the club throughout the putting stroke. The results are then displayed in easy-to-understand graphic reports that highlight the strengths and weaknesses of your stroke. During the rest of the putting lesson, the golf instructor uses PuttLab to provide instant feedback. Coaching and specialised clinics are also available. Capturing the character and beauty of Arabia, the championship course was designed on an

GREEN FEES Prices are valid until 31 May and include 18 holes of golf play, shared cart with GPS and access to practice facilities prior to play. Golfing hours are 6.30am to 4pm. The driving range is open from 6.30am to 9pm. All in-house guests receive 30% off green fees. Weekend (Fri, Sat and public holiday) AED875 Driving Range – Unlimited balls AED75 Driving Range – One pyramid of approximately 80 balls AED30 backdrop. The course especially is key. Everyone has great things to say about it.” The ‘rivers of sand’ concept adds another layer of texture to the design, providing a visual extension of the lakes and streams. These sand areas provide visually crisp playing surfaces that, unlike bodies of water, give a golfer the opportunity to recover from an errant shot. Providing a challenging round for the seasoned golfer, Al Badia also welcomes the recreational player. Four sets of tees are featured on each hole, with most offering a variety of teeing angles. The course can be played from the maximum 7,303 yards for championship players, down to 5,398 yards for newer players. According to Chapman, the toughest hole is the fifth, measuring 597 yards. “ It’s a beast,” he says. “It’s not just the length, but also the water hazards and strategically placed bunkers that make it tricky. Forget that it’s a par five. Most people will get either one or two shots on it so think of it as a par six or seven depending on your handicap, and play for that score.” Weekdays (Sun to Thur) AED595

TaylorMade Performance Lab

“ The fifth hole is a beast. It’s not just the length, but also the water hazards and strategically placed bunkers that make it tricky” cascading waterfalls. Strategically, water is used for lateral hazards as well as carry hazards on 12 of the holes. “ The whole experience here is amazing,” says Chapman, “ from when you arrive and are greeted by our staff to when you play the 18th hole with the stunning clubhouse as the

oasis theme by internationally renowned golf- course architect Robert Trent Jones II. It incorporates 11 lakes, several smaller ponds, streams and

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