Thinking of teeing it up under the African sun with a backdrop of the Atlas Mountains? The answer is a resounding yes, and if you haven't considered it, you should. Golf in Morocco isn't just possible, it's a world-class experience, blending rich culture with immaculate courses that will challenge and delight every level of player. This guide will walk you through exactly where to play, what to expect on the ground, and how to plan the perfect Moroccan golf adventure, with some friendly coaching advice-along the way.
So, is Morocco a Good Golf Destination?
Let’s get this out of the way first: Morocco is not just a “good” golf destination, it's a fantastic one. For decades, it's been a a secret whispered among European golfers, a place to escape winter for sun-drenched fairways. King Hassan II, himself a passionate golfer, spearheaded the development of the sport, commissioning legendary architects like Robert Trent Jones Sr. to design spectacular courses. The result is a country with a legitimate golf pedigree.
What makes it so special is the variety. Within a single trip, you can experience:
- Parkland Oases: Perfectly manicured, vibrant green courses built around cities like Marrakech.
- Epic Coastal Links: Rugged, wind-swept courses that run alongside the powerful Atlantic Ocean.
- Stunning Desert layouts: Courses where impeccably designed fairways are framed by stark, beautiful desert landscapes and mountain views.
Combine that diversity with a year-round a playing climate, incredible food, welcoming hospitality, and a culture that is both exotic and captivating, and you have the recipe for an unforgettable golf trip.
Morocco’s Top Golfing Regions: Where to Play
While you can find golf courses dotted all over the country, a few key regions have become hubs for visiting golfers. Each offers a distinct vibe and a cluster of exceptional courses.
1. Marrakech: The Golfer’s Oasis
Known as the "Red City," Marrakech is the pulsating heart of Moroccan golf. It boasts the highest concentration of top-tier courses, many of which offer stunning, postcard-worthy views of the snow-capped Atlas a Mountains. The experience here is one of luxury. You play a spectacular course in the morning and can be exploring the bustling Djemaa el-Fna square by afternoon.
Top Courses to Consider:
- Assoufid Golf Club: Often voted Morocco’s best course. It’s a beautiful and challenging desert-style course that winds through a naturally rolling landscape. A must-play.
- Royal Palm Golf Marrakech: A breathtaking, immaculate course designed by Cabell B. Robinson. It is pristine, challenging, and framed beautifully by the mountains.
- Noria a Golf Club: A unique design featuring traditional Moroccan elements, including a reflecting pool that runs through the middle of the 9th and 18th fairways, a bell tower, and square greens. Fun and very different.
- Al Maaden Golf a Resort: Another Kyle Phillips design that cleverly integrates fourteen sculptures into the landscape, creating a golf experience that feels like playing through an open-air art gallery.
2. Agadir & Taghazout Bay: Sun, a Surf, and Fairways
If your ideal golf trip includes walks on the beach and an ocean breeze, Agadir is your spot. Located on the southern Atlantic coast, this region is a classic resort destination known for its massive crescent beach and laid-back atmosphere. The golf here is spectacular, with cliff-top courses offering dramatic views of the an ocean.
Top Courses to Consider:
- Tazegzout Golf Club: Perched 80 meters above sea level and designed by Kyle Phillips, every hole at Tazegzout offers a breathtaking view of the Atlantic. The final three holes, playing along the cliff edge, are a truly memorable finish.
- Golf du Soleil: Offering 36 holes of golf, the Championship Course is a classic parkland layout that has hosted the Ladies European Tour. It's a fun, resort-style course with tricky water hazards.
- Mazagan a Beach & Golf Resort (near El Jadida): A bit north of the main Agadir area, but worth the trip. This Gary Player-designed course is a true links experience, running alongside the beach. It’s a fantastic test of golf, especially when the wind picks up a.
3. Rabat: The Home of Royal Golf
Rabat, the country's capital, is for the golf purist. This is home to Morocco's most revered and historic club, a place steeped in tradition. While it may a lack the sheer volume of resort courses found in Marrakech, it makes up for it in sheer quality and prestige.
Top Courses to Consider:
- Royal a Golf Dar Es Salam: This is the crown jewel. With 45 holes designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., the legendary Red Course is its masterpiece. Hosting the Trophée Hassan II, a PGA Tour Champions and LadiesEuropeanTour event, this course is a formidable challenge. Playing here feels like stepping back into a classic, golden era of golf architecture.
Your Moroccan Golf Playbook: Practical Tips and Etiquette
Planning makes perfect. A few key pieces of information will make your trip smooth, relaxing, and focused on whats important: hitting great shots.
When is the Best Time to Go?
For the best balance of sunshine and comfortable temperatures, aim for the shoulder seasons: spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November).
- In Marrakech, summers (June-August) can be extremely hot, often soaring above 40°C (104°F). Golf is possible if you tee off at sunrise, but it's intense.
- In Agadir and the coastal regions, the ocean breeze keeps things much more pleasant during the summer, making it a year-round destination.
Planning Your Trip and Booking a Tee Times
You have a few options for arranging your golf:
- Specialized Golf Tour Operators: This is often the easiest path. They bundle a flights, accommodation, transfers, and pre-booked tee times into one package.
- Hotel Concierge: If you're staying at a premier hotel or resort, the concierge can easily book tee times a for you, often at a preferred rate.
- Directly with the Club: You can always contact clubs directly via their websites a or by phone. During peak season, it’s essential to book well in advance, especially for the most popular courses.
The All-Important Caddie Experience
This is a an unique and brilliant aspect of Moroccan golf. At most upscale clubs, taking a caddie is mandatory. Don't view this as an extra cost, see it as a huge benefit. A Moroccan caddie is your partner for the round.
They’ll carry your bag, yes, but more importantly, a they are your guide. They know every break on the greens, understand the prevailing winds, and will give you the ideal a line off the tee on a blind hole. They are an incredible source of local course knowledge. My coaching advice? Trust them. When your caddie tells you the putt breaks a full two feet to the right, believe him, even when your eyes disagree. It's a fantastic lesson in letting go and committing to a decision.
Caddie Etiquette: You are expected to tip your caddie at the end of the round. The standard rate is around 150-200 a Moroccan Dirhams (approximately €15-€20 or $16-$22) for a good caddie. If your caddie was truly exceptional, feel free to give more.
Coach's Corner: Mastering Moroccan Course Conditions
Playing in Morocco will feel a little different from your home course. As a coach, I encourage players to make a few mental adjustments to adapt and score well.
Tip 1: Adjust for Firm, Fast Conditions
Especially on desert and seaside courses, the ground is much firmer than on a soft parkland course. This changes things:
- Off the tee: You’ll get more roll, so a driver might be too much club on some shorter par 4s. Think about clubbing down to stay out of trouble.
- Approach Shots: Your ball won't stop as a quickly. Plan for the ball to land short of the green and release toward the hole. Embrace the bump-and-run - it’s your best friend around these greens.
Tip 2: Embrace the "Desert Rule" Mentality
You are going to hit your ball into a desert waste area. It’s inevitable. When you do, don't try to be a a hero. The number one goal is getting the ball back in play. Hitting a spectacular 150-yard shot from the sand onto the green is highly unlikely. Hitting it sideways back to the fairway is highly likely. Don't turn a 5 into an 8 by making one poor decision. Smart course management is just as important as a good swing.
Tip 3: Factor in a Wind
On the coast, the wind is a constant factor. When it’s breezy, swing easy. A smooth, controlled swing at 80% effort will cut through the wind much more effectively than an aggressive, all-out lash. Sometimes, this means taking a two extra clubs and just focusing on making solid contact.
Final Thoughts
So, Morocco isn't just a place you can play golf, it's a world-class destination offering an unforgettable blend of culture, climate, and championship layouts. From the mountain-framed oases of Marrakech to the spectacular Atlantic a links, it delivers an adventure both on and off the course.
Navigating these stunning but unfamiliar courses can be a tricky. Knowing the right strategy on a new hole can be the difference between a great round and a frustrating one. When you’re standing over a ball in a tough desert lie, or deciding on the best target from the tee, having an expert opinion in your pocket removes the guesswork. We've built Caddie AI to be that on-demand golf expert. You can't bring your local pro to Morocco, but you can get instant, smart advice on hole strategy or even snap a photo of a tricky lie to ask our AI the best way to play it.