Opened in November 2005, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club (SGSC) is located just 10 minutes from the Dubai border and provides a 9-hole, championship-standard floodlight golf course, designed by Peter Harradine.
With its par 72 layout, it can range from anywhere between 5,576 to 7,164 yards thanks to its variety of tee boxes. Each hole has five tee options, allowing for a different experience every time you play, with some holes varying by over 150 yards, critical for a 9-hole course.
Additionally, as a fully floodlit golf course, it offers golfers with the opportunity to play at night—a popular experience that many of its members and guests regularly enjoy.
Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club. Image supplied
The course features wide fairways, large greens, water features, bunkers, and undulating terrain, making it a rewarding test for golfers of all levels.
With a thriving, strong and loyal core membership, members and visitors often comment on the club’s sense of community. Unlike some other clubs in the UAE, SGSC doesn’t see as many tourists, which fosters a sense of familiarity and belonging that its members value. This, along with its active event calendar—hosting two to three events per week—makes SGSC a popular choice as a home club. It’s one of the key reasons many choose to join.
Almost daily, first-time visitors describe it as a hidden gem, often remarking that they didn’t expect the course to be of such a high standard. People mistakenly think SGSC is further away than it actually is. In reality, it’s only 20 minutes from Business Bay and 30 minutes from central Dubai—closer than most think.
The club takes great pride in being a host venue of the European Senior Tours, now Legends Tour, Sharjah Senior Masters. The tournament was the first DP World Tour, Challenge Tour, or European Senior Tour event held on a nine-hole course. Emphasising the course’s status as a true test of golf.
Nine-hole courses often face the misconception of being merely a pitch-and-putt, but anyone who has played SGSC knows that this is far from the case. Over the past two years, they’ve made several key improvements. The most notable include the introduction of a completely new fleet of golf carts, complete with GPS units that had been absent for a few years. Additionally, they have completed a full bunker renovation, replacing the old sand with a finer variety that has significantly enhanced both the visual appeal and playability of the course.
Key Holes
Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club. Image supplied
4th / 13th
This is the most risk-reward hole on the course, ranging from 520 yards to 570 yards. Longer hitters may take a more aggressive approach, while a tee shot or layup favouring the right side offers a slightly easier route to the green. With no bailout option, clearing the water with your approach shot is a must. Water runs along the left side of the green, and a bunker guards the right. A bold approach will be rewarded.
Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club. Image supplied
8th / 17th
A challenging par three that can require either a pitching wedge or rescue club, playing between 135 and 205 yards. Water tightly hugs the right side of the green, while a bunker stretches along the left. Players must navigate a narrow green with precision. A safer play might be to aim for the bunker, but that brings its own challenge—a bunker shot with water lurking just beyond. Centre of the green is the only option to overcome this tricky par three.
Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club. Image supplied
9th / 18th
From an elevated tee, you’ll face a generous fairway, but with water to the right and a canopy of palm trees to the left, precision is key. The green is surrounded by water and a bunker, with its undulating surface making putting a challenge. Hitting the fairway is crucial here, with distances ranging from 435 yards from the back tees to 328 yards from the front. Choose a club that ensures you find the short grass and set yourself up for a strong approach.
Sam McLaren is the Director of Golf at Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club
