Yas Links Course Review

Despite being close to 5,000 miles from Scotland, Abu Dhabi is fortunate enough to boast one of the finest links golf courses you will find anywhere in the world.

I am, of course, talking about Yas Links, designed by esteemed architect Kyle Phillips and opened in 2010.

Yas Links hosts the inaugural HSBC Championship, and I was lucky enough to get the chance to play the course only days after the conclusion of this year's event. 

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Having walked the course on the final day, I had a relatively good understanding of the condition of the layout; however, once I got there, everything became more vivid. 

When we arrived at the course, it was a hive of activity with workers beginning to take down grandstands and everything else that comes with hosting a serious DP World Tour event.

Despite that, we still had access to the excellent driving range and immaculate putting green.

I have to say It's quite a surreal experience hitting a few practice putts with a 15-foot-tall image of Tommy Fleetwood staring down at you. Nonetheless, from only 10 minutes on the green, I was beginning to get an idea of the sheer quality of the surfaces I was about to experience. 

Having played my fair share of links golf, I was intrigued as to how accurate of an imitation a course built in the middle of the desert could really be. 

It took only five minutes for me to realise, with a great deal of time and money, anything is possible in this world. 

From the rolling fairways to the intricate topography and devious green surrounds, Yas Links has captured much of the physical feel and essence of a proper links course. 

It must be said, that with building work springing up all around you, it doesn't provide that sense of seclusion you get with many links courses in the UK, but despite that, the on course experience is outstanding. 

Generous off the tee, the course will undoubtedly suit golfers who like to pull driver out of the bag at any given opportunity, but despite that, the course will take more than accurate driving to be overcome. 

With steep run off areas and excellent protection provided by tricky sloping greens, there is still plenty of work to be done on every hole even if you do find the fairway. 

The rough is juicy, and despite looking like the ball does often sit up, you have to be very careful to make good contact, as it's easy to see your club disappear under the ball if you don't get your strike spot on. 

The front nine offers you views of the water from nearly every hole, and it's one of those courses where you find yourself constantly reaching for your camera, such is the beauty of the layout. 

On the front nine the standout stretch of holes is undoubtedly the final three that bring you back to the clubhouse. 

The par-5 7th is an excellent hole that can be stretched out to 591 yards off the back tees, and it's followed by a stunning short par-3 that's flanked by water all up the right side. Finishing off, you once again are met with water up the right, as you face one of the more intimidating tee shots on the course, requiring a full blooded drive to carry what feels like an eternity of water to reach the fairway. 

While the links inspiration is clear to see on every hole, it becomes most apparent on the back nine, as the dunes begin to tower around each hole.

It should also be noted at this point that the greens and fairways on this course are so well manicured, you could eat your dinner of them. 

The fairway are so pristine, they would honestly pass for greens almost anywhere else in the world. 

A special mention needs to be given to the 10th hole, more for its fun factor than anything else.

During the HSBC, it was a par-4 plenty of players were trying to reach in one, and not to be upstaged I had to go for it too, all be it off much further forward tees.

I took an aggressive line and hit probably my best drive of the day, finishing just five yards short of the green. Despite that, as previously mentioned, the hard work wasn't over and I sadly walked off with a three putt par. 

Despite being let down by my short game, my spirits were almost immediately lifted as I entered a section of the course that could easily be mistaken for Fife were it not the 10-12 apartment blocks sitting in the background. from the 11th through to the 15th you are treated to picturesque framing, flowing dunes and as always immaculate tight turf on the fairways. 

Once you play through the most rugged part of the course, you are then met with one of the most stunning yet demanding finishing stretches I have ever played. 

The 16th is undoubtedly the easiest of the three finishing holes, but be warned if you take driver to cut the corner, there is a good chance like me, your ball will find a watery grave. 

The green is also incredibly long, so the hole can be stretched an extra 40 yards if the greenskeepers so desire. 

The 17th is probably one of the most photographed holes on the course. The long par-3 has a forced carry over water that's enough to strike fear into anyone chasing a good score, and with razor sharp greens to contend with, it's a beauty and a beast. 

Speaking of beasts, the 18th hole at Yas Links is the longest golf hole I've ever had the pleasure of playing. Measuring 649 yards of the back tees (which I foolishly wanted to try) it's the truest three shotter in the world. 

A good drive is paramount, but unless you have McIlroy's length you will almost definitely be laying up with your second, which is played into a slither of fairway with water all up the left hand side. 

In the final round of the HSBC, with victory on the line, Paul Waring managed to hit his second shot through the back of the green, which even now, I still can't quite get my head around. 

Walking off the 18th green at Yas Links felt special. The sun was setting, the water was glistening, and it was still a very palatable 28 degrees, which in my book is close to the perfect playing temperature. 

Yas Links is an incredible achievement in many respects, from the condition to the overall feel and atmosphere. 

If you are planning a trip to the UAE in the future, it should be right at the top of your agenda. 

It's also well worth visiting Yas Acres if you are in town, which offers a pristine floodlit nine hole track just ten minutes down the road.