Greg Norman's Heaven on Earth

It has taken almost five years to create, from embryo to maturity, but finally the Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai will feel the full force of the world's greatest professional golfers.

Next Thursday, November 19, the Greg Norman designed course will cease to be virgin turf when the leading 60 players in the inaugural Dubai World Championship - the culmination of the 51-tournament Race to Dubai - tees off.

Earth's No. 16 on the spectacular Greg Norman signature golf course.

Until now, the 7,675 yard swathe of green - in stark contrast to the golden desert sands in Dubai - has remained in pristine condition, awaiting the 60 players who have qualified for the right to contest the $7,500,000 Dubai World Championship.

But all that will change next week, allowing Norman's spectacular creation to take center stage for the first time.

As designer, the two-time Open Champion is naturally proud of a golf course which will rank as the second longest in Tour history behind Ritz-Carlton GC, which hosted this year's WGC-Accenture Match Play in the United States.

Norman, who will jet into Dubai to oversee the launch of the Earth course and the Dubai World Championship, commented: "The course is looking sensational. The detailed features applied to the course, whether it be the bunkering, lush vegetation or fast flowing water ways, will be a key aspect, not only in how the course will challenge the players, but also in the aesthetics.

"I am absolutely delighted with the way the team at Jumeirah Golf Estates has realised the vision I had for Earth, which will provide the world's best with a true challenge and a fitting climax to The Race to Dubai. As a golf course architect, it is both rewarding and challenging to know that this course will be hosting the Dubai World Championship."

Norman is an ardent admirer of The Race to Dubai and added: "It's the most positive thing I've ever seen happen to the game of golf. It's not built around one player, it's built around a process to get to the biggest tournament in the world and that process is you have to play 12 events on The European Tour, no matter who you are, and to get there you have to do it. It stimulates the game of golf on a global basis.

"I think the entire course has a great balance, but the finish will really stand out. I expect it will be considered one of the most challenging and exciting miles of golf, in terms of risk and reward.

"The 'final four' will comprise a short par four, long par four, a great par three and a medium to long par five, so a lot of things can happen on the home stretch. There could be a two or three shot swing which will cater to the best players, and of course, will be a defining moment for spectators and the television audience alike."

So, Just what does Norman think of the Earth course? Let's hear it from the great man himself:

Hole 1 (454yds, 415m)

"A relatively straightforward start to the Earth course. A downhill drive to a fairway which slopes from left to right. Avoiding the deep fairway bunker on the left will lead to a short to mid iron to the green. The green angles away right, with mounding supporting the front left and promoting shots aimed left of the pin."

Hole 2 (583yds, 533m)

"The longest hole on the front nine should not put you off. Golfers will look to take on the fairway bunker on the right. The left hand side of the fairway feeds down to a hollow just short of the greenside bunkers, however a shot here takes on the risk of the large fairway bunker stretching down the left hand side. The safe route is to favour a shot to lay up short of the left hand side fairway bunker and leave a short iron to the perched green."

Hole 3 (452yds, 413m)

"An uphill tee shot across the landing area, with the big hitters rewarded with extra run down towards the green. A gentle rolling green that falls off back left and short right. If the pin is cut back left, approach shots should be aimed slightly right in order to allow for the right to left slope."

Hole 4 (245yds, 224m)

"This long downhill par three will play one less club than you think. A well protected green with deep bunkers surrounding short and back left of the green. Avoid these bunkers at all costs!"

Hole 5 (407yds, 372m)

"A slight dog-leg right that climbs back up the hill through a valley. The tee shot should favour the right- hand side of the fairway in order to avoid an approach shot over the greenside bunkers. From the Signature tees a well struck mid to short iron second shot will set up a realistic birdie chance."

Hole 6 (186yds, 170m)

"The first of the water holes playing into a cross wind, only a fully struck shot will carry the water. A large bunker protects the bailout area to the right, meaning the only line is straight at the green. A great par three hole which demands your full attention."

Hole 7 (572yds, 523m)

"A fantastic par five with deep fairway bunkers awaiting the slightest wayward shot. Two big hits are required in order to carry onto the green. The safe option is to lay up short of the cross bunker and play a short iron onto a green which slopes from back to front."

Hole 8 (461yds, 422m)

"A dog-leg left back down the hill, the tee shot will be assisted from a right to left cross wind. The best line to approach the green is from the right side of the fairway. A mid to long iron shot is required to carry the mounding at the front of the green. Although no bunkers surround it, the green is long yet narrow and is protected by undulating fall off areas."

Hole 9 (499yds, 456m)

"With distance playing a big factor in this hole, only a driver from the tee will do for most golfers. The second shot is uphill and will require a long iron or even a rescue club to negotiate the two greenside bunkers. A two putt is not guaranteed as a large putting green surface awaits you. A par at this hole will feel like a birdie!"

Hole 10 (437yds, 400m)

"A slightly downhill tee shot to an undulating fairway made narrower by the encroaching trees. An accurate second shot is required as the green has a narrow entrance. Any aggressive approach to the back of the green must be cautious as the slope runs off back left."

Hole 11 (401yds, 367m)

"An inviting tee shot should be laid up short of the two bunkers protecting the left and right hand sides of the fairway. The approach must carry the single bunker protecting the left entrance to the green. The green slopes slightly from front to back and becomes wider at the back. A definite birdie opportunity on the back nine."

Hole 12 (476yds, 435m)

"A strong par four requiring two precise shots to achieve the surface of the green. Playing progressively uphill the drive must meander its way through the fairway bunkers on both sides of the landing zone. Club selection will be vital for the approach with a deep bunker awaiting the weak shot left. The green is large, sloping slightly from back to front."

Hole 13 (204yds, 187m)

"A picturesque par three which plays uphill to a well protected green that is wider at the front half before narrowing to the back section which has small ridge running across it. A birdie opportunity hole will set up you up nicely for the final stretch."

Hole 14 (626yds, 572m)

"A slightly downhill tee shot with distance being the reward. The hole dog-legs slightly to the right after the landing zone. Going at the green requires a powerful hit flirting with the lake which stretches for the final 150 yards of the hole. The safe option is to lay up short left of the fairway bunkers and pitch on. A narrow entrance leads to a green sloping down towards the lake.

'The Final Four'

"I expect the 'final four' to be considered one of the most challenging and exciting miles of golf, in terms of risk and reward. Comprising a short par four, long par four, a great par three and a medium to long par five, a lot of things can happen on the home stretch. There could be a two or three shot swing which will cater to the best players, providing spectators and the television audience with a gripping finale to the Dubai World Championship."

Hole 15 (371yds, 339m)

"This short par four is the beginning of a fantastic final stretch. A straight hole played uphill, it's nothing but risk and reward. A low attracts everything to the left of the fairway which pushes up right under the green. This tee shot has to be played to the left to get the best reward. The safety shot to follow means playing over the low area into a green that slopes away towards a deep low."

Hole 16 (486yds, 443m)

"Significantly longer than the previous hole this is a dog-leg right played over a falaj to a broad fairway that slopes away from the tee and will carry the long drive further. The large lake to which the fairway slopes influences the entire fairway right up to the green. Again, a high risk shot will give you the most reward onto the green."

Hole 17 (195yds, 178m)

"A fantastic, but precise short par three. This iconic hole is a true island green. Club selection is crucial for this hole. Wind from any direction will make this very difficult with the tight island green surrounded by a selection of bunkers offering the green the maximum protection. If you're lucky a stray shot will only find the bunkers, further misdirection will leave you wet for sure."

Hole 18 (620yds, 567m)

"A long par five hole to finish with water off the tee right and a falaj right at the landing area. A second shot can be played either directly towards the green or up the left, as a falaj splits the fairway in two for its entire length. Although more risk involved, the shot played right is narrower but opens up the green for approach, whereas the shot played left is easier but brings into play a large group of dangerous bunkers. The green is raised and uphill from the fairway with the falaj off to the left. A true challenge for the ultimate finale."