The National Golf Club Opens in Saudi Arabia with New Sir Nick Faldo Championship Course

Saudi Arabia has welcomed another exciting addition to its growing golf scene, with The National Golf Club officially opening on 30 October 2026 in Qiddiya City, just outside Riyadh.

Designed by six-time Major champion Sir Nick Faldo, the new 18-hole championship course sits beneath the dramatic Tuwaiq cliffs and promises a golfing experience quite unlike anything most UK golfers will have encountered.

For us at Hashtag Golf Travel, it's another reason to keep an eye on Saudi Arabia as an emerging golf holiday destination.

But what makes The National Golf Club particularly interesting isn't simply the famous name behind the design. It's the approach to making championship golf more accessible, with a clever layout that allows golfers to enjoy six, twelve or eighteen holes.

Championship Golf Beneath the Tuwaiq Cliffs

Located approximately 45km from Riyadh, The National Golf Club has one of the most striking settings of any new course in the Middle East.

The course sits beneath the 200-metre-high Tuwaiq cliffs, with dramatic desert landscapes providing the backdrop to Faldo's championship design.

Rather than simply creating another traditional desert golf course, Faldo Design has worked to incorporate the natural surroundings into the playing experience, creating a layout intended to challenge experienced golfers while remaining enjoyable for those still developing their game.

We particularly like the idea of playing golf somewhere with such a distinctive landscape.

There are already some outstanding championship courses across the Middle East, but the towering cliffs at Qiddiya promise something visually quite different.

It's certainly a course we're looking forward to learning more about as golfers begin experiencing it for themselves.

Three Six-Hole Loops Offer Something Different

One of the most interesting features of The National Golf Club is its layout.

Instead of following the traditional front-nine and back-nine format, the course is divided into three loops of six holes.

That gives golfers the flexibility to choose how much golf they want to play.

Beginners and families can enjoy six holes without committing to an entire afternoon, while more experienced golfers can play twelve or take on the full eighteen-hole championship layout.

For us, this is a really sensible idea.

Not everybody wants to spend four or five hours on a golf course, particularly when travelling with family or fitting golf around other holiday activities.

It also makes the game more welcoming for people who are just starting out.

Being able to play six holes in a proper championship setting, rather than feeling pressured to complete a full round, could make a big difference to somebody discovering golf for the first time.

And for established golfers, the full eighteen holes still provide the complete Faldo-designed championship experience.

A Golf Destination That Doesn't Require Membership

Another important feature is that The National Golf Club is open to visiting golfers without requiring club membership.

Golf Saudi has been appointed to operate the venue under a five-year agreement, overseeing course management, golf operations, events and player development.

The club will also work alongside the Faldo Series, supporting junior competitions and providing opportunities for emerging Saudi golfers to develop their skills.

We think this combination of championship golf and beginner-friendly access is particularly encouraging.

New golf destinations need excellent courses, but they also need facilities that introduce people to the game and encourage them to keep playing.

The National Golf Club appears to have been designed with both objectives in mind.

More Facilities Arriving in 2028

Although the golf course opens in October 2026, the wider facilities will continue to develop.

A dedicated clubhouse is available from opening, while a much larger permanent clubhouse, modern driving range and golf academy are scheduled to open in 2028.

The future facilities, designed by Patterson's, will further strengthen the club's coaching, practice and hospitality offering.

Sustainability has also been considered throughout the development.

The course uses recycled-water irrigation and smart water-management technology, alongside electric golf buggies and a predominantly electric maintenance fleet.

Future plans also include energy-efficient LED floodlighting, allowing golfers to enjoy evening rounds once the system is introduced.

The project has already achieved GEO Certified Development status, recognising the sustainability measures incorporated into its design and construction.

Could Riyadh Become a New Golf Holiday Destination?

This is perhaps the most interesting question for travelling golfers.

Saudi Arabia is continuing to invest heavily in golf, tourism and sporting infrastructure, with Qiddiya City forming part of a much wider programme of development.

The National Golf Club will eventually sit alongside hotels, restaurants, entertainment attractions and major sporting venues, creating a destination where golf can be combined with other activities.

For UK golfers, we think this is one to watch rather than a destination we'd immediately compare with established golf holiday favourites such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi or the Algarve.

Those destinations already offer extensive choices of championship courses, accommodation and established golf holiday infrastructure.

Qiddiya is still developing.

However, the arrival of a Sir Nick Faldo-designed championship course, with a spectacular setting and plans for a comprehensive golf academy, is an exciting starting point.

As more facilities open and the wider destination develops, Riyadh could become an increasingly interesting option for golfers looking to discover somewhere different.

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Our Verdict

The opening of The National Golf Club is another significant step forward for golf in Saudi Arabia.

What stands out to us is the combination of championship design, dramatic natural scenery and flexibility for different types of golfer.

The three six-hole loops are a particularly welcome feature, making the course suitable for shorter rounds while still offering the full championship experience.

Add the involvement of Sir Nick Faldo, future academy facilities and the spectacular Tuwaiq cliffs, and there is certainly plenty to be excited about.

We haven't played the course ourselves yet, so we'll reserve judgement on how it compares with the Middle East's established championship layouts.

But from what has been announced, The National Golf Club looks like a fascinating addition to the region's growing golf offering.

For golfers interested in exploring new destinations, Saudi Arabia is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.