National Golf Club add to Saudi Arabia growing golf landscape

Article posted by Coliseum, November 3^rd, 2026

Image: Qiddiya

The National Golf Club, Qiddiya City (a massive, planned giga-project in Saudi Arabia), is a championship course designed by the six-time major champion Sir Nick Faldo (English retired professional golfer) which officially opened on October 30^th thus bringing an 18-hole golf course to one of Saudi Arabia’s most ambitious new destinations and one don’t need a membership to play.

The National Golf Club is an exciting addition to Saudi Arabia’s growing golf landscape.

Striking Natural Setting

‘golfdigestme.com’ stated that located around 45 km from Riyadh, the course sits beneath the impressive 200-meter-high Tuwaiq cliffs. Designed by the six-time major champion Sir Nick Faldo it combines championship-level golf with a striking natural setting.

The National Golf Club, Qiddiya City is a public, 18-hole championship golf course located in Qiddiya City, about 45 kilometers from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

New Course

‘golfdigestme.com’ further stated that the new course is part of Qiddiya City which Qiddiya describes as the world’s first city built for play thus bringing together entertainment, sports, culture, hotels, shopping, and residential spaces.

Image: Qiddiya

Open to All

One of the biggest things to know about the National Golf Club is that one doesn’t need a membership to play. The course will be open to everyone, from the experienced golfers and professionals to the beginners, the families and the visitors looking to try something new.

Flexible Design

The course features three six-hole loops thus giving the players the option to enjoy a shorter round or take on all 18 holes. This flexible design aims to make golf more accessible while still offering a challenge for more experienced players.

Golf Academy

The practice and coaching facilities will also support those looking to improve their game with a golf academy planned for the future.

Faldo Series

The club will also work with the Faldo Series which helps the young golfers develop their skills through competitive opportunities. The partnership will support the emerging Saudi talent and give the junior players a pathway to compete and progress in the sport.

Dedicated Clubhouse

A dedicated clubhouse is open from day one with a new clubhouse driving range and academy designed by Patterson’s to follow in 2028.

Management Agreement

Golf Saudi has been appointed to operate the club under a five-year management agreement. Its responsibilities will include running the course, managing events and facilities and supporting player development.

Built with Sustainability in Mind

The National Golf Club has also been designed with sustainability in mind – covering recycled-water irrigation, the electric fleet and the global environment outlook (GEO) certification.

Electric Golf Carts

The electric golf carts and a largely electric maintenance fleet will also help reduce the club’s environmental impact.

Sustainability Accreditation

The course has achieved GEO Certified Development status, an internationally recognized sustainability accreditation from the GEO Foundation for Sustainable Golf. The National Golf Club is designed for sustainable, accessible and extended-hours play with recycled-water irrigation, smart water management and energy-efficient light-emitting diode (LED) future floodlighting for night play. The additional measures include green roofs, water refill points, electric golf carts, and a predominantly electric maintenance fleet.

Part of Qiddiya City’s Growing Attractions

The National Golf Club joins a growing collection of attractions and sporting venues planned for Qiddiya City.

Together, these attractions are intended to make the Qiddiya City a destination for major international events, professional sport and everyday entertainment.

‘Significant Progress’

On this occasion, His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee said, “The National Golf Club in Qiddiya City reflects the significant progress taking place across the Kingdom’s sports sector made possible by the unwavering support of our leadership. This support has driven the continued expansion of the sports facilities and destinations and created more diverse opportunities to participate in sport in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 (a strategic and comprehensive national framework launched to reduce Saudi Arabia’s dependence on oil, diversify its economy and develop public service sectors such as health, education, infrastructure, recreation, and tourism). It also contributes to building a vibrant society and broadening access to a wide range of sports. We look forward to the club playing an important role in the growth of golf in the Kingdom by offering a world-class sporting experience to people from all segments of the society thus attracting the new players and identifying and developing the Saudi talent. This landmark will also represent a significant addition to the Kingdom’s sports facilities thus enhancing its readiness to host the major international tournaments and events and strengthening its growing position on the global sports map.”

‘Play Power’

Added Abdullah Aldawood, Managing Director, Qiddiya Investment Company, “The Qiddiya City is being built on the belief that play has the power to shape how people live, connect and experience sport. The National Golf Club reflects this commitment. It’s a championship course with international credibility and designed to open golf to everyone. With Golf Saudi as our operator we have the expertise and reach to increase participation, inspire a new generation of golfers and encourage more active lifestyles. Together, we are helping to grow the future of golf in Saudi Arabia in support of Vision 2030.”

‘Growing Golf Landscape’

Noted Noah Alireza, Head Honcho, Golf Saudi, “The National Golf Club at Qiddiya City represents an exciting addition to Saudi Arabia’s growing golf landscape thus bringing together a world-class golfing experience with the spectacular natural setting of the Tuwaiq Mountains and creating a welcoming destination for the players and the visitors alike. Golf Saudi will bring its expertise and experience to help maximize the club’s impact thus creating an environment that reflects the highest standards of the game alongside Saudi Arabia’s distinctive culture of warmth and hospitality. We see the National Golf Club as part of Golf Saudi’s broader strategy to build an integrated golf ecosystem across Saudi Arabia thus creating more opportunities for the players, the visitors and the communities while supporting the Kingdom’s growing appeal as a golf and tourism destination. Through projects like this we are helping broaden participation, attract the visitors and investment and support the long-term growth of golf and its contribution to the Kingdom.”

‘Memorable Experience’

Stated Sir Nick Faldo, six-time major winner and Head of Faldo Design, “Designing the National Golf Club has been about creating a course that respects its iconic setting in Qiddiya City and gives the golfers a memorable experience every time they play. The Qiddiya City has a landscape with real character and our aim has been to build a course that is challenging, enjoyable and welcoming for the players at different levels and supports Saudi talent through a number of initiatives including the Faldo Series.”

Connected Destination

The National Golf Club will join Qiddiya City’s growing portfolio of attractions and sports venues including the open Six Flags Qiddiya City (a major amusement park), Aquarabia (the largest water theme park in the Middle East and the first water theme park in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) and the PlayMaker Studios (Saudi Arabia’s major purpose-built film and television production hub) as well as the future venues including the National Tennis Centre, the Speed Park Track (a futuristic motor racing circuit), the 46,979-seat Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium, and the Horse Racing Venue. Together, they will create a connected destination for the international events, elite sport, grassroots participation, and the everyday community life for the people who live, work and visit Qiddiya City.

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