15
may 2012
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
play
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.
“
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”
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.
Weekdays (Sun to Thur)
AED595
Weekend (Fri, Sat
and public holiday)
AED875
Driving Range – Unlimited balls AED75
Driving Range – One pyramid
of approximately 80 balls
AED30
Capturing the character and beauty of
Arabia, the championship
course was designed on an
oasis theme by
internationally
renowned golf-
course architect
Robert Trent Jones
II. It incorporates
11
lakes, several
smaller ponds,
streams and
W
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
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.”
Al Badia Golf Club
TaylorMade
Performance Lab