The Montgomerie in Dubai provides undulating "links land" style fairways with generous landing areas that challenge and intrigue all levels of player. Although large in size, the greens can be very misleading, especially as they are consistently rolling above 9.5 feet. Plenty of shape throughout the greens can result in some very trying putts.

One of the signature holes is the par 5 fourth, dubbed the Snake hole for its saddleback fairway which doglegs towards the green, with two bunkers behind forming the eyes of the snake.

Further on, the par 5 ninth, with water down the left, is a tough finish to the opening half. The par 3 thirteenth, a hole designed in the shape of the UAE, boasts a 360 degree teeing area around an island fairway and green, allowing for a completely different golf hole to be played every time.