A sharply defined, sculptured course inspired by the great parklands of Europe and North America, Earth by Greg Norman paints a magnificent pastiche of flora, rolling terrain and rushing water. These natural components also provide differing angles and changing perspectives from each tee. The meandering, and occasionally daunting, water features will be an ever-present factor when lining up the next shot, forcing a careful drive and constant consideration of ball carry. The Earth course is the proud host of the inaugural Dubai World Championship—the culmination of The European Tour season and golf’s ultimate prize—staged in November 2009.

Never before has a course been closed to the public for so long, awaiting its debut. Fully grassed since April 2008, Jumeirah Golf Estates has given Earth an unprecedented two full seasons to mature before the Championship. Until then, intensive maintenance will ensure that the links of Earth have the look and feel of an established course but conditions more pristine than most professional players will have experienced in their careers.