Golf in Morocco

The oldest golf course in Morocco and one of the most historic in Africa. Founded in 1927 during the French Protectorate by the Pasha of Marrakech, this course winds through ancient olive, eucalyptus, and palm trees. The mature vegetation creates a uniquely atmospheric round, with the Atlas Mountains forming a dramatic backdrop on clear days. Winston Churchill and Dwight Eisenhower both played here. The fairways are wide and forgiving, but the ancient trees create challenging natural obstacles. The clubhouse exudes colonial-era charm with a celebrated restaurant.

Designed by the renowned Cabell Robinson, Amelkis is one of Marrakech's most respected courses. The layout features 27 holes arranged in three loops of nine, allowing three distinct 18-hole combinations. The course is known for its strategic bunkering, well-defended greens, and excellent conditioning. Mature palm trees and flowering bougainvillea frame the fairways, while water features come into play on several holes. The Atlas Mountains provide a stunning backdrop, particularly from the back nine of the main course. The clubhouse offers fine dining with panoramic views.

Set within the famous Palmeraie palm grove on the outskirts of Marrakech, this Robert Trent Jones Sr. masterpiece offers 27 holes in a lush oasis setting. The course winds through over 100,000 palm trees, creating a truly exotic golfing experience. Jones designed wide fairways that funnel toward well-bunkered, elevated greens -- his trademark style. Water hazards feature on several holes, including the signature 9th with its island green. The adjacent five-star hotel and spa make this a complete golf resort experience. The practice facilities are among the best in North Africa.

The crown jewel of Moroccan golf. Royal Golf Dar Es Salam is a 45-hole complex in a magnificent 440-acre cork oak forest on the outskirts of Rabat. The Red Course is internationally renowned and has hosted the Hassan II Golf Trophy since 1971, attracting legends like Billy Casper, Lee Trevino, Payne Stewart, and Nick Price. Robert Trent Jones Sr. considered it one of his finest creations. The course features dramatic elevation changes, strategic water hazards, and greens protected by deep bunkers. The cork oak forest provides both beauty and a genuine test of accuracy. The Blue Course (18 holes) and Green Course (9 holes) complete the complex.

Gary Player designed this links-style course along the Atlantic coast near El Jadida, creating Morocco's only true seaside golf experience. The course features native dune grasses, strategically placed pot bunkers, and ocean winds that transform the challenge from hole to hole. Several holes play directly along the coastline with dramatic ocean views. Player incorporated natural sandy waste areas and indigenous vegetation to give the course an authentic links character unique in North Africa. The Mazagan resort complex includes a five-star hotel, casino, spa, and equestrian center.

The only Jack Nicklaus-designed course in North Africa, Samanah is widely regarded as Morocco's finest championship layout. Set against the dramatic backdrop of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains, the course features Nicklaus's trademark strategic design with multiple tee positions that create vastly different playing experiences. The conditioning is immaculate, with pristine bent grass greens and manicured fairways. Water features on eight holes, including a spectacular lake on the par-5 18th, test both accuracy and course management. The desert-meets-mountains landscape is unlike anything in European golf.

Agadir's premier golf facility offers 27 holes in two distinct courses: the Championship Course and the shorter, more forgiving 9-hole course. Located just minutes from Agadir's famous beachfront, Golf du Soleil benefits from the city's exceptional climate -- over 300 days of sunshine per year and mild temperatures even in winter. The course features wide fairways lined with eucalyptus trees, gentle elevation changes, and well-placed bunkers. The relaxed atmosphere and competitive green fees make it an excellent choice for holiday golfers. The proximity to Agadir's resort hotels, restaurants, and beach makes it easy to combine golf with a seaside holiday.

Tucked along Morocco's beautiful Mediterranean coastline near Tetouan, Cabo Negro offers a refreshingly different golf experience from the Marrakech courses. The Cabell Robinson redesign transformed this into a challenging yet enjoyable layout that takes full advantage of its coastal setting. Pine and eucalyptus forests frame the fairways, and the Mediterranean Sea is visible from several elevated tees. The course features undulating fairways, well-placed water hazards, and subtly contoured greens. The nearby Rif Mountains and the charming blue city of Chefchaouen make this an excellent choice for golfers wanting to explore northern Morocco.

One of Morocco's newest and most acclaimed courses, Assoufid was designed by Scottish architect Niall Cameron to blend seamlessly into the desert landscape south of Marrakech. The course uses the natural terrain of the arid Haouz plain to create a layout that feels as though it has existed for centuries. Native grasses, olive trees, and the dramatic silhouette of the Atlas Mountains define the aesthetic. Cameron's design philosophy emphasizes strategic options off the tee and around the greens, with wide fairways that reward positioning over power. The minimalist clubhouse and on-course facilities maintain the sense of integration with the landscape.