An Expert's Guide to Golfing in Marrakech

If you are weighing up Marrakech for a winter-sun golf trip, this is the sort of detail you actually need. Our team recently headed out to play five of the city's best-known courses and checked in at the Hotel Kenzi Club Agdal Medina, looking at everything from practice facilities and post-round food to buggy use and the extras that can catch you out on the day.

For groups wanting warm weather, good variety and straightforward logistics, Marrakech has plenty going for it. The Atlas Mountains sit on the horizon throughout, the course mix is genuinely varied and the sun is largely reliable. But not every venue suits every golfer, and a few things are worth knowing before you travel.

Here is what we found.

The Base
The Kenzi Club Agdal works well as a golf-trip base, and that is largely down to simplicity. Standard rooms are comfortable enough and there is space to store a golf bag without any awkward shuffling around. A luggage shuttle runs from reception, which is a small but welcome detail when you are arriving with a travel bag and a set of clubs after a long transfer. The rooms themselves are functional rather than luxurious and feel a little dated in places, so if your group is expecting a slick, design-led property this probably is not it. But if your priority is value, convenience and a solid all-inclusive setup that keeps the evenings easy, it does the job well.

For golf groups, the big plus is that the all-inclusive format removes most of the evening admin. Non-golfers have enough on site to stay entertained, with an outdoor pool, spa and wellness facilities, a gym, racquet sports and live entertainment all available. Transfers to the courses are manageable and the property's location means you are not spending unnecessary time in the car before a round.

Food and Drink
The all-inclusive package is good value. Guests receive two à la carte dinners and buffet dining included in the rate, with the à la carte covering food but not drinks. The buffet rotates its cuisine each night, which keeps things varied across a longer stay. Book the à la carte slots in advance if you can, as availability fills up quickly and you do not want to be stuck with the buffet on your last night if you had been looking forward to something a little more considered.

Getting Out
If your group does want to venture beyond the property, a local taxi will get you to spots like the Kabana Rooftop Bar. Reservations are required there, so plan ahead rather than turning up and hoping for the best.

Arrival and First Impressions
Assoufid sets the tone from the moment you pull in. The entrance is grand, the welcome is warm and the whole operation feels like it has been set up for golfers who take their game seriously. This is a championship desert layout and it looks the part, with the Atlas Mountains visible throughout much of the round, giving the course a visual identity that is genuinely hard to match anywhere closer to home.

How It Plays
This is not a course you come to for an easy card. Assoufid is a proper test, with the kind of layout that rewards course management and punishes loose shots. The desert setting means the rough is unforgiving and the wind can shift the challenge considerably depending on the time of day. Stronger players will love it. Mid-handicappers will find it demanding but fair, particularly if they pick their moments and play within themselves. If your group includes higher handicappers, it is worth having a conversation about expectations before the round, because this one can be a long day if you are not hitting it well.

Standout Holes and Practice Setup
The 17th is the postcard hole, a downhill par 3 that stops you in your tracks. It is one of those moments in a round where you just take a second to look around and appreciate where you are. The practice setup before your round is excellent, with pyramid balls, a grass range and both chipping and putting greens available. The 19th hole offers indoor and outdoor seating with plenty of shade, a strong food and drink selection and views that make it a fitting place to reflect on the round. A club cleaning service rounds things off nicely.

What to Know Before You Play
Walkable in theory, but in Marrakech heat most groups will be glad of a buggy. We would recommend booking one as standard rather than deciding on the day.

Arrival and First Impressions
Al Maaden is a neat, well-presented venue with a warm welcome and a pro shop that is on the basic side but perfectly functional. The course was in excellent condition during our visit and the overall feel is of a venue that takes its upkeep seriously without trying to be something it is not.

How It Plays
This is one you can happily put in front of a mixed-ability group. It will not beat you up, but the conditioning is so good that it still feels like a quality day's golf. The layout is resort-friendly and suits a wide range of handicaps, making it a smart pick if your group has a mix of playing standards. We played nine holes here and found it a satisfying, well-paced experience that left everyone in good spirits heading into the back half of the trip.

The fairways are generous enough to keep things moving and the greens were rolling well. There are no holes that feel unfair or overly penal, which matters when you are playing a course for the first time in an unfamiliar environment. It is the kind of round where you come off feeling like you played well, even if the card does not always reflect it.

After the Round
For a post-round drink, Al Maaden came out on top across the entire trip. The 19th hole atmosphere is relaxed, the service is friendly and it is the sort of place where a quick drink turns into a longer sit-down without anyone minding. High praise given the competition.

What to Know Before You Play
Stronger walkers could manage this one on a mild day, but for most travelling groups a buggy makes far more sense given the heat. A driving range and putting greens are available for warm-up.

Arrival and First Impressions
Samanah was the weakest arrival experience of the trip. Some areas of the property feel run down and the first impression does not match what you might expect from a course at this price point. It is worth managing expectations with clients before they arrive, because the gap between expectation and reality can land badly if nobody has flagged it.

How It Plays
The course itself is a long, demanding desert layout that will genuinely test stronger players. There is nothing soft about it. Multiple tee options do provide some relief for higher handicappers, but this is fundamentally a course built for players who can move the ball and manage a tough test over four-plus hours. If your group includes players who struggle on demanding layouts, Samanah is one to think carefully about before adding it to the itinerary.

The scale of the course means it can feel relentless in the heat, particularly on the back nine. Pace of play is something to factor in, especially for groups who are also playing the day before or after.

What to Know Before You Play
The grass range is available for warm-up but was in poor condition during our visit. More importantly, caddies are mandatory at Samanah so factor this into the cost of your holidays. If you are playing back-to-back rounds, we would strongly suggest a buggy here.

Arrival and First Impressions
Royal Marrakech is one of the better arrivals on the itinerary. The entrance is beautiful, the pro shop is modern and well-stocked and the greeting from staff sets a positive tone before you have even reached the first tee. There are two courses on site, Old and New, and we played nine holes on the Old Course.

How It Plays
The Old Course is a tight, tree-lined layout that plays very differently to the desert courses elsewhere on the itinerary. Every hole feels well-framed and the course was in great condition throughout. The tree cover changes the character of the round considerably, offering shade and a different kind of strategic challenge compared to the open desert layouts at Assoufid and Akenza. It is a course that rewards accuracy over power, which makes it a useful addition to a varied itinerary.

The New Course also offers nine holes of floodlit golf, which is a genuinely useful option for groups who want to squeeze in extra play without rearranging the schedule. It is worth knowing about if your group is keen to maximise rounds across the trip.

After the Round
The clubhouse restaurant at Royal Marrakech was the best catering experience of the entire trip. The food quality is high, the setting is impressive and there are plenty of screens for watching sport, which makes it a natural place to settle in after the round. It is a facility that elevates the overall visit and one that clients will appreciate.

Arrival and First Impressions
Akenza is the newest-feeling venue on the itinerary and it shows. The clubhouse is modern and well-designed, the welcome is warm and the whole operation has a polish that puts it a level above most of what we played across the week. All three of us left agreeing it delivered the best overall golf experience of the trip, and that is not a verdict we reached lightly given the quality of what came before it.

How It Plays
Akenza is a tough desert layout and it is not one we would put in front of higher handicappers without a conversation first. The course demands precision and course management, and the greens, while excellent, were firm during our visit. Conditions should soften as the season progresses, but even then this is a layout that will ask questions of your game from the first hole to the last.

For stronger players, it is exactly the kind of course you travel for. The presentation is exceptional, the conditioning is among the best we saw all week and the overall experience, from arrival to the final putt, feels considered and well-run. Mid-handicappers who are comfortable on a demanding course will enjoy it too, particularly if they approach it with the right mindset and pick their moments rather than trying to overpower it.

Standout Holes and Practice Setup
The 18th is the closing highlight, a par 5 that is reachable in two for longer hitters and sets up a strong finish to the round. The practice areas were in immaculate condition across the board, which is exactly what you want before tackling a course of this difficulty. The 19th hole overlooks the 18th green and fairway and offers high-quality food in a setting that makes it easy to linger. One thing to note: no alcohol is served, so plan accordingly if your group likes a cold one after the round.

What to Know Before You Play
Buggies are recommended at Akenza. Given the difficulty of the layout and the heat, this is not a course where most travelling groups will want to be carrying or trolleying.

This trip suits:
• Golf groups wanting winter sun, a varied course mix and an easy all-inclusive base

• Players who want to mix tougher desert layouts with one or two more forgiving resort rounds

• Travellers who value knowing the likely extras before they arrive, from caddie fees to buggy recommendations

Best for:
• Mixed groups of mid- to low-handicappers who want a strong golf-first itinerary

• Akenza and Assoufid suit stronger players best and should anchor any serious itinerary

• Al Maaden is the safest pick for wider handicap ranges and the most sociable post-round venue

• Samanah is one to think carefully about if your group includes higher handicappers or players who find long, demanding desert layouts a tough day out

This is exactly where having a golf travel specialist makes the difference. We can steer your group towards the right course mix for your handicap range, flag extras like mandatory caddies and buggy requirements before you travel and put together an itinerary that keeps the golf strong without any of the admin headache. Get in touch and we will take it from there.

Flight information

With direct flights available with both British Airways and Air Arabia, you can fly over to Morocco hassle free. Flight times are generally around 3 and a half hours for Marrakech and just under 4 hours for Agadir. The hotels in and around the cities are then just a short transfer away.

When to go

Morocco can get very hot during the summer months with temperatures averaging 29°C through July and August, peaking at highs of 40°C. The winter period and other months are much more pleasant averaging around the high teens and low twenties making much better golfing weather.

Golf travel tips

• Tee times: book well in advance as the best times on popular courses go fast.
• Clothing: Ensure you pack proper attire (collared shirts, tailored shorts/trousers) as some clubs enforce strict policies.
• Hydration: Marrakech can get very hot inland; always carry plenty of water on the course.
• Buggies: Book buggies as early as possible to ensure availability.

Essential packing

• Lightweight, breathable golf apparel for warm days.
• Layer up for evenings, inland areas can get chilly at night.
• Pack sun protection: A hat, sunglasses & high-SPF sunscreen are essential.
• Comfortable footwear for exploring local markets, souks & historic sites.

Culture

• Respect customs: Dress modestly in towns, markets, and mosques.
• Tipping: Customary for caddies, drivers, and hotel staff.
• Alcohol: Available in resorts/hotels; limited in local venues and banned near mosques.

Useful travel information

• Time difference: UTC +1
• Local currency: Moroccan Dirham (MAD)
• Language: Modern Standard Arabic and Standard Moroccan Berber. Many also speak French.

A golf holiday in Marrakech offers more than just the courses and hotel, visitors to the city can experience bursts of culture, flavour and unforgettable sights.