Dubai is set to welcome the region’s first private golf course designed by legendary architect Tom Fazio, as part of Discovery Dunes, the city’s first members-only residential community.
The 18-hole championship course combines sport, lifestyle, and family-focused living in a desert-inspired setting.
Tom Fazio design
Tom Fazio, founder of Fazio Design, has created more than 200 courses worldwide, including over 20 exclusively for Discovery communities.
The Discovery Dunes course features elevation changes and sweeping contours that reflect the desert landscape while providing an accessible and engaging experience for golfers of all skill levels. There are no tee times or strict dress codes, allowing members to enjoy a flexible and welcoming environment.
“Golf at Discovery is about so much more than the game,” Fazio said.
“It’s about family, connection, and creating a course that feels like it has always belonged here. We have sculpted the landscape with a vision that feels deeply rooted in the region’s desert surroundings.
“Through carefully crafted contours and sweeping forms, the course evokes the timeless beauty of the region’s natural dunes, creating both a striking sense of place and a compelling stage for play. Discovery’s vision brings the course to life as the heart of a community that will thrive for generations.”
Community and lifestyle
The golf course is central to the Discovery Dunes community, offering scenic views from homes and a 12-kilometer network of golf cart paths connecting members to amenities. Comfort stations on the 5th and 13th holes add social spaces that integrate seamlessly into the landscape.
The Lake House on the 11th hole includes a farm-to-table restaurant and bar, paddleboarding, swimming, and lakeside activities, offering a hub for socialising and recreation. The clubhouse provides wellness facilities, pools, cabanas, a barbershop, salon, movie theater, and family-friendly shops.
Private luxury living
Michael Meldman, Founder and Chairman of Discovery Land Company, said: “Discovery Dunes’ golf course is unlike anything in the region. Not only is it the first private golf experience, but it’s one of Tom’s true masterpieces.
His design strikes the perfect balance between skill and beauty, delivering a course that feels both entirely unique and at home in the desert. This is more than just a golf course, it’s the heart of a community built for families and designed for legacy, where the game becomes a backdrop for connection and relaxation.”
Golf tourism potential
With golf tourism in the Middle East and Africa expected to reach US$1.3 billion by 2030, Discovery Dunes is positioned to attract residents and visitors seeking a blend of luxury, lifestyle, and sport. The community offers a private, service-led environment focused on connection, leisure, and long-term engagement.
Discovery Dunes combines world-class golf with a curated lifestyle, aiming to set a new benchmark for private residential communities in the Middle East. The course and amenities are designed to create lasting experiences for members and their families, with golf at the centre of a multi-generational community.
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
