At just 22 years old, Sam Mullane is already turning heads in the UAE golfing scene. A fixture on the UAE National Team, Sam’s golfing story started, like many young prodigies, with simple group lessons alongside his brother at Emirates Golf Club. “I started when I was about five or six,” he recalls. “We used to go down to Emirates Golf Club for group sessions. It was a fun way to start, and I got hooked early.
What’s kept him swinging ever since? “The competitiveness,” he says with a grin. “That winning feeling is unmatched. There’s something about golf that just keeps pulling you back—the challenge, the grind, the occasional perfect shot.”
Growing up in Dubai, Sam has enjoyed year-round sunshine—ideal conditions, you’d think, but as he points out, Dubai summers are “practically unplayable.” With temperatures soaring beyond 45°C, you’d be mad to tee it up midday in July. “There are definitely advantages,” he says. “You can play all year round, which helps with development, but the summer is brutal. It gets to a point where you physically can’t play. That’s when I try to get away, play tournaments abroad, and see how I can adapt.”
Adapting to Change
Spain recently tested that adaptability. “It was totally different. The grass was different, the conditions were softer, and it really challenged how I approached every shot. It’s not easy when you’re used to firm and fast desert-style golf.”
Ask Sam about his golfing home away from home, and he instantly mentions Jumeirah Golf Estates. “Being a member here for several years, I love switching between the Fire and Earth courses,” he says. “Fire lets you score, then Earth humbles you—especially from the back tees. It’s a course that demands everything from you. Plus, the facilities here are the best in the UAE. You can work on any part of your game, anytime.”
Sam is lucky to be in a place where professional inspiration is often just around the corner—literally. “Tommy Fleetwood is a huge local inspiration. He’s got his academy here, and sometimes you just see him on the range doing his thing. That’s pretty cool,” Sam says. “Globally, I’d say Collin Morikawa is a big one for me. I like his game because he’s not the longest hitter, and I’m not either. It’s more about precision, ball striking, strategy—that’s what I try to focus on.”
Building a Game That Travels
When it comes to practice, Sam breaks the mould. “A typical week really depends on whether I’m in the UAE or travelling and if I’ve got a tournament coming up. But in general, I don’t love the range,” he admits. “I get more out of being on the course—trying to score, shaping shots, working through different scenarios. That’s how I keep it fun and competitive.”
His game is already showing the polish of someone who takes their craft seriously. “My driving is one of my biggest strengths. I’m accurate off the tee and I hit a lot of fairways. My chipping is solid too—I’ve spent hours on the short-game area at TFA (Tommy Fleetwood Academy). It’s a great place to sharpen those skills.”
But even promising players have their pain points. “My longer irons need work—especially from 170 to 210 yards,” he admits. “That’s my weakest area. Whether it’s a long par 3 or a second shot on a par 4, those clubs need to be dialled in. I’ve been grinding on them lately because I know at the next level, you can’t leave shots out there.”
This past season, Sam picked up three wins—no small feat. But one tournament, in particular, stands out. “The Cedars Championship really meant something. It was part of the Arab Golf Series, a new initiative from the Arab Golf Federation. The field was strong, with players from around the GCC. Winning there gave me a lot of confidence because it was a step up in terms of competition.”
When competing against seasoned professionals, the learning curve is steep. “It’s different from playing with mates,” he says. “These guys are trying to make a living. It’s intense. I played a HotelPlanner Tour event recently, and it was eye-opening. You go from being a top player at home to one of the many trying to prove themselves.”
The mental side, he says, is as challenging as the technical. “You have to believe you belong out there. You’ve got to play your own game and block everything else out. I haven’t quite cracked it yet, but I know it’s possible.”
That’s not to say he underestimates the leap required. “I don’t think amateurs realise how tough pro golf is. The level is so much higher, and unless you’ve played in one of those events, you don’t truly understand. Everything changes—the pace, the pressure, the course setup. It takes time to adjust.”
Eyes on the Prize
Sam’s long-term goal is as realistic as it is ambitious. “Everyone dreams of turning pro, but you’ve got to earn it,” he says. “You need to show that you can compete at the professional level while you’re still an amateur. That’s the test. My goal is to start performing well on the Asian Development Tour or HotelPlanner Tour. Then I’ll know I’m heading in the right direction.”
Off the course, Sam’s interests are as varied as his shot selection. “I’m a big F1 fan. Love watching the races, love the strategy. Football too—hard to avoid when you live in this part of the world. But something people might not expect is that I’m a big gamer.
“I spend a lot of time on my PC, listening to music, playing games—it’s how I unwind.”
He’s also caught the travel bug. “Travelling to different countries has opened my eyes,” he says. “Trying new food, hearing different languages, seeing how other people live—it gives you perspective. I’ve even got into photography while travelling. Just capturing those moments—it’s become a bit of a side passion.”
Ready for the Next Chapter
As Sam Mullane continues his journey from the UAE’s sun-soaked fairways to fairways around the world, one thing is clear—he’s not just another young talent. He’s got the mindset, the maturity, and the motivation to go far.
Whether that’s on the Asian Tour, the DP World Tour, or beyond, the next few years will be fascinating to watch.
And if you see a laser-straight drive splitting the fairway on the Earth course, chances are it’s Sam—working quietly, methodically, and always looking ahead to the next challenge.
