As the reach of low cost airlines continues to extend further South, destinations such as North Africa become much more accessible for the travelling golfer and when you consider the marked development that has been seen in Morocco in particular over recent years, those seeking sun, sand and fun on the fairways would do well to cast an eye over Marrakech which, in recent years, has stamped its authority as the country’s leading golf travel destination.

Old meets new in Marrakech, where the varied architecture sees traditional Morocco coexist with modern resorts which service the many excellent golf courses in the region; golf courses that offer the visiting golfer excellent variety and typically a breathtaking backdrop consisting of desertscapes and the distant Atlas Mountains.

For decades, the only golf offering in Morocco was Royal Marrakech, one of the country’s most celebrated courses, but in the early 90s developments like the Palmeraie Golf Resort – home to a Robert Trent Jones Snr design – started the ball rolling and now there are numerous options in and around this bustling, vibrant hub of Moroccan culture and heritage.

Al Maaden, which has only been on the scene for three years, was designed by Kyle Philips – arguably the hottest designer in world golf over recent years with amazing previous projects including The Grove, Dundonald Links and the mighty Kingsbarns – and has been extremely well received by local and visiting golfers alike.

---

Al Maaden Golf Club

---

Philips is well known for his uncanny ability to move enormous amounts of earth to shape his courses and yet maintain a natural look that assimilates seamlessly with the surrounding landscape and apart from a couple of unusual but interesting geometrically shaped water hazards at the centre of the course, this has again been achieved at Al Maaden. The course is relatively flat, especially when compared to Philips’ previous work, but there are subtle undulations and elevation changes to challenge the golfer, particularly when moving into the back nine.

While Al Maaden boasts plenty of off course amenities, there is no accommodation to speak of but fear not, the 5* Palmeraie Resort is just a stone’s throw away and it offers the most comprehensive golf resort experience in the country.

Located on the outskirts of Marrakech, Palmeraie offers guests the chance to enjoy superb food, endless leisure facilities and luxurious accommodation options in the form of the Palmeraie Village apartments and the grand Palmeraie Golf Palace Hotel, not to mention easy access to the sights and sounds of Marrakech itself.

---

Palmeraie Golf Club

---

The Palmeraie Golf Course was designed by the famous Robert Trent Jones Snr – designer of over 500 courses throughout the world – and although it is certainly defined as a resort course the 6, 835 yard layout offers a really good test of golf for all abilities.  The pristine fairways are narrow, which places a premium on accurate driving and while the course may not be as heavily bunkered as your typical RTJ design, the bunkers that are present, combined with the seemingly ever present threat of water hazards dotted around the course, offer plenty of defence if your accuracy deserts you during your round.

If you have had your fill of the more traditional golf holiday destinations and feel the need to spread your golfing wings, then Morocco and the Open Golf Club Destinations in and around Marrakech will be right up your street.

---