09 July 2012
Improving your golf handicap is like improving your grade-point average.  It requires practice, practice and practice.  The UAE has over 10 golf courses with varying difficulties, opening times and green fees.

If you have played in the UAE before, you would know that golf is not the cheapest sport to get into.  Green fees can be anywhere from AED 255 for a twilight 9-hole round to over AED 800 for an 18-hole round during the day.

This is where our banks come in handy.  Many of the credit cards available in the UAE give us privileged access to different golf courses with great deals on green fees.

Premium credit cards from Dubai First, Citibank, Barclays, Emirates NBD, Dunia Finance, First Gulf Bank and Emirates Islamic Bank all provide complimentary or discounted green fees at UAE golf clubs.

Citibank Premium cards, including the Skywards Ultima and Ultimate cards, the Citi Life Platinum and Infinite cards and Premier Miles Platinum and Elite cards allow you to enjoy complimentary golf once a month at The Address Montgomerie and Al Badia golf clubs.  They also provide discounts on golf equipment.  Just make sure you check the cancellation terms and conditions when you book.

If you are a regular golfer at Towers Link Golf Course, Al Hamra Golf Club or The Els Club, you would have probably hear of the ENBD Premium credit cards which would include their Titanium, Platinum and Infinite cards.  Towers Link will give you and a guest a complimentary round; Al Hamra allows your guest to play for free; and The Els Club gives a 35% discount on greens fees.

If you are a golfer who is on a mission to try all the golf courses in the UAE or enjoy changes of scenery, the First Gulf Bank Platinum credit cards and the Emirates Islamic Bank Skywards Platinum card comes with a Golf Fee Card which allows you up to 30% off across 13 courses in the UAE. 

The new Dubai First Skyy Miles Visa card keeps it simple and offers a flat 30% discount on greens fees throughout the UAE and covers Abu Dhabi Golf Club; Al Ghazal Golf Club; Arabian Ranches; Emirates Golf Club; Jebel Ali Resort; The Address Montgomerie; Al Hamra; Tower Links and Sharjah Wanderers.  On top of the 30% off, you get up to two miles per USD spent paying for your golf round. 

For free range balls and complimentary greens fees (with two weeks advance booking) at The Montgomerie, try the Dunia Finance Diamond card.

Mashreq Banks new Platinum Elite Credit Card targeted to the affluent customer offering 25% off green fees and 50% off range balls at Abu Dhabi City Golf Club, up to 50% off green fees at the Arabian Ranches Golf Club, 20% off green fees (5 days a week) at both Dubai Creek and Yacht Golf Club and Emirates Golf Club. 

Last but not least, the Barclays Premier credit card gives you and a guest the opportunity to play six rounds each a month at the Montgomerie, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club and Abu Dhabi Golf Club all year round.

Now that you can no longer use cost as an excuse to stay away from the tee box, the only thing that stands between you and improving the number at the bottom of your scorecard is the courage to brave the summer heat.

souqalmal.com 2012