Golf may be regarded as intrinsically daft: it is just hitting a ball with a stick. However, the answer to this question is: "Because of the social reputation our Club has".
   By joining in our non-handicapper events, social events, and (after gaining a handicap index) our weekend competitions, you are likely to meet in excess of 200 others, all in a friendly environment where personal status is not relevant. The 19th hole - our Clubhouse and its associated terrace - is the primary venue where our reputation comes to the fore.
   Golf is the excuse to achieve this widening of contacts. Hopefully, this will lead to further enjoyable times with those you meet at Awali, but outside of our course or Clubhouse. And when retirement beckons, you can spend your children's inheritance by travelling the world, using golf as the basis to seek out the most scenic destinations.
   AGC's stunningly good value-for-money is the final icing on the cake.

Because you lack the necessary ability. It's just part of life. Or perhaps you need more practice.

We are located in central Bahrain, just east of the Riffa Views development.

• Follow signs for Riffa Views and continue south past the Royal Golf Club on your left.
• At the Bahrain Waste Recycling/incinerator roundabout, take the 4th exit (that's the one before making a U-Turn back to Riffa Views). This road has a "no-exit" sign etc.
• Proceed down this road about 1km and there we are on the right.

For a detailed map of our location, see the Contacts/Find us page. See the Google map route to Awali Golf Club from:

• Saudi Arabia
• Hamala
• Budaiya Post Office
• Burgerland roundabout
• Diplomat Hotel
• Amwaj-Tala

The Club is open from 7:00am until 7:30pm, every day except December 25th, for both Club members and visitors.

Members may use the course during daylight hours: please be aware that course fixtures (flag-posts and water-butts, green-sweepers etc.) are not likely to be available before 7:00am. The course is not floodlit.

Buckets of balls may be purchased up to 7:30pm - the Range floodlights are switched on at dusk and switched off at 8:00pm.

On the day of a Club competition, non-competitors are not entitled to use the course or practice facilities. However, you may be able to access these facilities - contact the Club before your arrival to not be disappointed.

Unless an official Club function is in progress, the Clubhouse operating times, shown below, must be strictly adhered to: Membership or other privileges may be suspended should a person not comply with these timings.
 

We are very happy to welcome visiting players. Simply arrive at the Clubhouse (opening hours 7am to 7:30pm, everyday except December 25th), pay your green fees (of only BD10) and have a fun time. Green fees allow you to access the course for the whole day: there is no limit on the number of holes you may play.
   You do not need a handicap index - however, if you are not that familiar with the golfing etiquette, you should look at the Playing as a visitor page as well.
   Also, please note that the course and practice facilities are not usually available to non-competitors on the day of a competition.
   In addition, it is important that you wear flat-soled shoes, as our greens are damaged by footwear with a tread that exceeds 2mm - so that means no golf-shoes with plastic spikes, jogging trainers etc.

Our practice facilities consist of the Range with adjacent practice chipping and putting greens, and practice bunker. Also, there are practice chipping and putting greens adjacent to the first tee.
   You may use any of these facilities provided you have purchased at least one bucket of balls at the Clubhouse (only BD0.500).

Only if you have purchased green fees (BD10) or at least one bucket of balls for use on the practice facilities. The Clubhouse is a facility for post-golf relaxation, so it's no surprise that we don't welcome non-member smart-alecs who request a bucket of balls in the dark 5 minutes before closing time.

Currently, there are no organised social groups for non-members due to the Government's Covid-19 related restrictions.

For Bapco employees: For Awali residents (not Bapco employees): For others: For more details, see Membership.

Yes. The member is required to pay BD1.000 for each non-playing Guest, and the member remains responsible for the Guest at all times. Guests may not remain at the Club after the responsible member has left.

From November 2020, we follow the guidelines of the World Handicap System for the allotment of an initial handicap index (we used CONGU before November 2020). Handicap Index allotment is at the sole discretion of the Handicaps & Competitions Committee.

• You may play 18-hole or 9-hole rounds for initial handicapping purposes.
• You must play the whole course three times: if you choose to play 9-hole rounds, you must play an equal number of rounds for the front and back nines.
• There is no need to complete two 9-hole rounds on the same day.
• You must be accompanied by a handicapped member of the Club (who is expected to ensure you follow the R&A Rules of Golf and our Local Rules).
• You should hole-out on all holes (no "pick-ups").
• On your card, write "For handicap" in the "Competition" space, your name in the "Player A" space and gross scores in the "Score A" column, and the date, time out and time in. Sign in the "Sign Player(s)" space and ask the handicapped member to sign in the "Sign Marker" space.
• Post your completed cards in the Clubhouse office door posting box.
• Your gross score for 18 holes should be close to 97/110 for gents/ladies. However, when you are getting close to this, do submit as many cards as possible as this gives a good indication of your progress to the Handicaps & Competitions Committee.
• Keep your own record of the gross score and date of the cards that you have posted.
• If you have already submitted cards averaging about 97/110, you may contact the Tournament Director of a Friday competition, and ask to be added to the field as a "marker" with the view to gaining that last, elusive third card for your handicap index.

Members of AGC can, and are encouraged to, join in with:

• Any monthly Non-handicappers competition. This is intended to help you progress from the Range to the daunting prospect of playing the course with others. See here for further details.

Currently, no.

You may purchase a round mat at the Clubhouse (BD4.500 if rubber backed, BD3.000 if not) - and use this to play off. These mats are about 12" in diameter. When playing in a competition, our Local Rules define the way in which the mat may be used. Also, in a competition, the mat you use must be "Committee Approved" - so beware if you are using a mat purchased elsewhere.

Clubs may be hired for BD5.000, and trolleys for BD2.000 (no, we have no motorised buggies). A small selection of balls, tee-pegs, gloves and souvenir golf-shirts are also available for purchase at the Clubhouse.

Most importantly, flat-soled shoes to protect the greens. Then ... you are expected to look as though you are a golfer, appearing reasonably smart. This must include a collared shirt. So that means no jeans, and no attire that is intended for or mimics others sports. The full dress code is here.

Firstly, no hats - if you break this rule, you are expected to buy a round of drinks for everyone present in the Clubhouse at the time. Attire that meets the course dress code is acceptable. If you have not been playing or practicing, then our dress code is summarised as "casual, but not scruffy". The full dress code is here.

If you consider the emergency requires an ambulance: If you consider the emergency does not require an ambulance:

Bahrain's currency is the Bahraini Dinar, subdivided into 1000 fils. Payments at the Clubhouse may be made as follows:

• Cash - Bahraini Dinars
• Cash - Saudi Riyals (10 Saudi Riyals = 1 Bahrain Dinar)
• Cash - Qatari Riyals (10 Qatari Riyals = 1 Bahrain Dinar)
• Cash - UAE Dihrams (10 UAE Dihrams = 1 Bahrain Dinar)
• Credit/debit card.

Payment of Awali Golf Club membership subscriptions at the Bapco Club may be made by credit/debit card or by cheque drawn on a Bahraini bank. if paying by cheque, don't write your cheque in advance - do this at the Bapco Club under the guidance of the Receptionist, as two cheques may be needed.

Exchange rates (for comparison purposes) are:

• 1 Bahraini Dinar = 2.65 US Dollars (fixed)
• 1 Bahraini Dinar = 2.0 UK Sterling £ (variable)
• 1 Bahraini Dinar = 2.1 Euro € (variable).

The photos on the website are suitable to print up to a size of about 20cm, whereas the original quality photos are suitable to print up to at least 50cm wide. These original photos are available to any person who stars in them. However, they are stored at the Clubhouse (they are not available through the website). Should you wish to obtain the original, please contact our photographer via email (his email address is found via Contacts/Maps ->Contacts/Find us). When arrangements are made to meet at the Clubhouse, ensure you bring along a memory-stick to take your photo(s) away. This service is free. However, Members get a 10% discount.

You can search for any photo in which you or someone else stars most easily by using the customised search facility within the website: click on the person search icon on the homepage, or choose Galleries -> Search for person in photo from the menu. Here is the person-search page. For each photo that matches your search, there is a download button next to the thumbnail image.

No. Jolly well get on and learn it yourself, just like the rest of us: then you may be able to shake off the dim-witted reputation you have whilst you ask me to do your legwork ... you may see how the Stableford works here.

Like everyone else, AGC uses the World Handicap System. See here. When you have played 20 or more qualifying rounds, your Handicap Index is calculated using the average of your best 8 scores from the last 20 (if you have less than 20 rounds, there is a sliding scale - see Handicapping Rule 5.2a).
   Example: you have played 20 rounds. Your best score was the first round. You now play another round - your 21st - and have a shocking score. What happens? Your best score is no longer in the last-20 rounds rolling window, and your Handicap Index increases.

Very nearly two-thirds.