Region: Rabat, Marrakech & Agadir, Morocco | Best Time: March–May & October–November | Nearest Airport: Casablanca (CMN) or Marrakech (RAK) or Agadir (AGA)
Editor’s Note: Morocco is Africa’s finest golf destination — and Europe’s closest exotic escape. Three hours from London, the climate is reliably warm year-round; the courses are mature and well-maintained; and the cultural contrast between the golf course and the medina is unlike anything in European golf travel. Royal Golf Dar Es Salam’s Red Course is one of Africa’s greatest tests.
The 5 Courses to Play
1. Royal Golf Dar Es Salam — Red Course, Rabat ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Designer: Robert Trent Jones Sr. (1971) | Par/Yardage: 73 / 7,401 yards | Rating: 75.5 / 140
- Why Play It: Africa’s greatest golf course — commissioned by King Hassan II and built through a cork oak forest on the outskirts of Rabat. The scale is extraordinary: 18 holes across 175 acres of mature woodland, each hole occupying its own secluded space. Host of the Hassan II Trophy, which attracted Seve, Faldo and Norman throughout the 1980s and 1990s.
- Book: royalgolfdaressalam.com | Green fees from £80
2. Samanah Golf Club — Marrakech ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Designer: Kyle Phillips (2008) | Par/Yardage: 72 / 7,148 yards
- Why Play It: Kyle Phillips’s most ambitious design outside the UK — a pure parkland course with the Atlas Mountains as constant backdrop. The conditioning is exceptional; the scale of the course surprising for a North African resort. The Fairmont Royal Palm hotel makes this Marrakech’s finest golf destination.
- Book: samanahgolfclub.com
3. Al Maaden Golf Course — Marrakech ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Designer: Kyle Phillips (2010) | Par/Yardage: 72 / 7,388 yards
- Why Play It: Phillips’s second Marrakech creation — a more demanding test than Samanah, framed by olive groves and the High Atlas range. The clubhouse is one of North Africa’s most architecturally striking — Moorish design at its finest. The Kempinski Hotel Al Badía provides five-star accommodation on the estate.
- Book: almaadengolf.com
4. Amelkis Golf Club — Marrakech ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Designer: Robert Trent Jones Jr. (1995) | Par/Yardage: 72 / 6,985 yards
- Why Play It: The original high-end Marrakech course — mature plantings, excellent conditioning and a genuinely sophisticated design from Robert Trent Jones Jr. The Moorish clubhouse, palm-lined fairways and Atlas views make this the most atmospheric round in the Marrakech region.
- Book: amelkisgolfclub.com
5. Golf de l’Océan — Agadir ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Designer: Cabell Robinson (2010) | Par/Yardage: 72 / 6,622 yards
- Why Play It: Agadir’s premier resort course — 15 minutes from the beach and designed specifically for the visiting golfer. The Atlantic views, gentle trade winds and excellent condition make this the most relaxed of the Moroccan championship courses. Ideal for mid-to-high handicappers wanting a scenic, accessible round.
Where to Stay & Practical Information
- Fairmont Royal Palm Marrakech (5★): Marrakech’s finest golf resort — riad-style suites, outstanding spa and direct access to Samanah. Check availability on Expedia →
- La Mamounia (5★Palace): Africa’s most famous hotel — Churchill painted here, Hitchcock filmed here. In the Medina; 20 minutes from the golf courses. The definitive Marrakech experience.
- Getting There: London to Marrakech (RAK) — 3h 15m. Regular direct flights from most UK airports with easyJet, Ryanair and British Airways. Rabat served by Casablanca (CMN) — transfer 1h by train.
- Best Time: March–May for spring wildflowers and Atlas snow-cap; October–November for ideal temperatures (25–28°C). Summer (June–August) is extremely hot in Marrakech (40°C+); Agadir is cooler due to Atlantic influence.
- Cultural Note: Combine a round at Dar Es Salam with an evening in Rabat’s medina — one of Morocco’s most authentic and least-touristy old cities. Far more tranquil than Marrakech.