The United Arab Emirates has emerged as one of golf's leading destinations in the last decade and playing some of the top courses in the region has never been easier thanks to a new deal secured by National County Card (NCC).

European Tour venues Emirates Golf Club - home of the Dubai Desert Classic - and Abu Dhabi Golf Club head the list of latest names to sign up to the scheme for private members clubs and its members.

A report by KPMG's Golf Advisory Practice last year highlighted Dubai as one of golf's four future hot spots in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

And under the terms of the new agreement with Green Fees Direct, NCC card holders will be able to experience even more choice and heavily discounted rates at some of the best venues in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

"There are some excellent courses across the whole of the United Emirates region and it is a golfing destination that is growing all the time," said Rob Sutton, managing director of NCC.

"The area has become an established part of the European Tour in recent years. It has established a fantastic reputation for golf in that time and it's fantastic news that NCC card holders can now enjoy some of the great courses there."

Emirates Golf Club, voted 2009 Golf Club of the Year in the Middle East Golfer awards, was the first all-grass golf course in the Persian region after being built in 1988 and boasts two courses - the world-renowned Majlis and Faldo.

Abu Dhabi Golf Club's Golf National layout has staged the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship for the last four years and is one of the fastest growing tournaments on the European Tour schedule.

And joining them on the list of new courses available to card holders are the likes of The Montgomerie Golf Course, Dubai Desert Creek Golf & Yacht Club, Jebel Ali Golf Resort and Spa, Four Seasons Al Badia Golf Club, Els Club and Arabian Ranches Golf Club.

The latest influx of courses means that NCC now offers discounted rates at more than 1,400 courses worldwide including Ireland's Druids Glen Resort, Le Touessrok in Mauritius, Oceanico Group's seven courses in Portugal and two of the most famous venues in America - Doral Golf Resort, venue for this year's WGC CA Championship and the Stadium Course at Sawgrass, Florida.

Sutton added: "We're delighted at how quickly NCC has grown in the short space of time it has been going and it's our aim for it to continue to expand.
"Clubs and resorts across the globe are realising the many benefits there are in joining the scheme. Some of the best courses in the world have joined NCC this year which means our members can be rewarded with top-quality golf whether it be in the UK, Europe, Dubai or North America."

NCC is free to join for private members clubs and any of their members with a valid handicap certificate can buy an NCC card for just £24.95 for 12 months' membership - and take advantage of discounted green fees at leading venues across the UK, Europe and North America.

In addition, enrolled clubs will also receive £5 per card sold when their members buy a card to play at any of the clubs enrolled in the scheme.

For a full list of NCC courses and details of how to join, go to www.nationalcountycard.co.uk .

For more details, please contact Andy Tremlett on 07775 842716 or Pete Simm on 07747 012539, or e-mail ajtrem@aol.com or simm_6@msn.com