Golf in Marrakech: the courses, and how to plan your week

From the historic Royal Golf Marrakech to Kyle Phillips's Al Maaden and the rolling Assoufid, here's how to choose your rounds and build a week in the Red City.

Marrakech has more golf within half an hour of its medina than anywhere else in Morocco, set against the snow-capped High Atlas in winter. The difficulty isn't finding a good course but choosing between them. Here's how they compare.

The courses

Royal Golf Marrakech. The city's original club and one of the oldest in Africa: the Pasha of Marrakech opened its first four holes in 1927, and the course was later reshaped with help from Arnaud Massy, the 1907 Open champion. Today it has 27 holes among palms, eucalyptus and orange trees, and it was a favourite of King Hassan II. Choose it for history and shade rather than length.

Al Maaden. Kyle Phillips's 2010 layout on the south-east edge of the city is built around geometric water features and a modern take on Oakmont's church-pew bunkers. It looks unlike anything else in Morocco, and it gets tough when the wind blows.

Assoufid. A newer course south-west of the city, unusual for Marrakech because the ground genuinely rolls. Expect wide fairways, quick greens and big views of the Atlas. Many visiting golfers rate it the best round in town.

Amelkis. A Cabell Robinson design from the 1990s with 27 holes near the Royal Golf, mature planting and mountain views. It's an established favourite with consistent conditioning.

Fairmont Royal Palm. Another Cabell Robinson layout, 15 kilometres or so south-west of the medina, with olive groves, palms and the five-star hotel on site. It's the easiest stay-and-play option in Marrakech.

Samanah. A Nicklaus Design course on the Amizmiz road, with water in play and long views. It's a good choice for stronger players.

And more. PalmGolf Palmeraie (Robert Trent Jones Sr, 27 holes), Noria, and courses bearing the names of Colin Montgomerie and Tony Jacklin give you plenty of options for a longer stay.

How to build a Marrakech week

A typical group plays three or four rounds over four or five nights:

Arrival day. Land, transfer and settle in. If your flight lands early, play nine holes at Royal Golf Marrakech.
Round one. Al Maaden or Amelkis, which are close together on the city's south side.
Round two. Assoufid, then dinner in the medina.
Day off. Take a guided medina tour in the morning, or spend a full day in the Atlas and the Ourika Valley.
Round three. Samanah or the Fairmont Royal Palm, then a sunset camel ride and dinner in the Agafay desert.

Courses are 15 to 30 minutes apart, so a private driver for the week is far simpler than a hire car.

When to play Marrakech

October to April is the sweet spot, with warm days, cool evenings and the mountains capped with snow from around December. Summer is very hot: if you go between June and September, take early tee times and a buggy. See the best time to play golf in Morocco.

Where to stay

Choose between a riad in the medina for atmosphere, a hotel in Hivernage for easy access to everything, or a golf resort such as the Fairmont Royal Palm if you'd rather not travel to the first tee at all.

Ready to price it? Plan your Marrakech trip: tell us your dates and group, and you'll get three complete trips with tee times, hotel, transfers and excursions.