Shura Links, Saudi Arabia’s first island golf course, has officially opened for play in the Red Sea.
Designed by architect Brian Curley and managed by Golf Saudi, the ground-breaking course represents the most visible symbol yet of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative to diversify its economy and establish itself as a premier destination for international tourism and sporting events.
Curley-Wagner Golf Design set out to seamlessly blend the course with its natural environment, with just 70 acres of irrigated turf that features drought and salt-tolerant grass and landscaping that integrates desert flora, palms, and flowering trees across sweeping sand expanses. The course’s irrigation system, which was supplied by Toro, is designed for maximum water efficiency.
The 7,400-yard layout, which plays in two loops of nine that return to the clubhouse, winds through native mangroves and white dunes, with many of the holes playing right alongside the Red Sea shoreline.
“Our goal was to create a course that is both strategic and forgiving, where golfers can enjoy the ground game, and be inspired by the seaside setting,” said Curley. “Too many desert courses penalize golfers with lost balls in thick vegetation. Here, the course is framed by brilliant white sand and open expanses punctuated with bursts of natural dunes vegetation that inspire creativity while keeping the game moving.”
The course features wide playing corridors, firm and fast fairways, and open approaches that invite varied angles of attack — particularly valuable in windy coastal conditions. Signature holes include dune-framed par-3s on holes 6 and 15 that play directly toward the Red Sea, and a dramatic, driveable par-4 16th hole that offers late-round risk-reward opportunities.
The course’s infrastructure is geared to support both resort play and professional tournaments, with an expansive practice range, short-game area, two-acre putting course, and a modernist clubhouse designed by Foster + Partners.
Beyond the golf course, Shura Links forms part of a destination that will feature 11 luxury hotels, including Four Seasons, Raffles, Rosewood, and Jumeirah properties, all opening in the coming weeks. Located just 30 minutes from Red Sea International Airport via, in part, a two-mile causeway, the island development is intended to be accessible yet exclusive.
John Pagano, Group CEO of Shura Island developer Red Sea Global, said: “Shura Links sets a new benchmark for the game of golf in the region. It’s more than just a course – it’s a place to connect, challenge yourself and experience the full beauty of The Red Sea.
“This is another proud milestone in our mission to reshape global tourism through sustainability and design, and a significant step in building Red Sea Global’s diverse sports portfolio, aligning perfectly with Vision 2030’s goal of establishing Saudi Arabia as a premier global sporting destination.”