YOUR COMPLETE GUIDE TO GOLF COURSES IN IRELAND

You might be a little surprised to hear that Morocco is an extraordinary country for golf. If so, you’re not alone. We are certain that Morocco is one of the great, undiscovered golf destinations of the world.

It is a fascinating country and yet it is also one of the least known. It is said to be the land where East meets West and where the desert meets the ocean. The golf courses, then, should be pretty special.

In Marrakech, the fairways on most of the courses are laid out on a plateau dominated by the eternal snows of the Atlas Mountains. At Tangier, they snake their way between cypress and pine trees. At Cabo Negro, they lie amid the joyful colours of heather, tamarisk and gorse, so Scots golfers should feel right at home!

Marrakech is an intriguing city that lies at the foot of the Atlas Mountains, nested in the midst of a palm-grove. Its bustling streets are home to sumptuous relics of its glorious past, including palaces, tombs, gardens and minarets. There is always something happening in this lively city, whether it’s the melodies of a street show or the magicians, acrobats and storytellers at work in the open-air theatre of Djemaa El Fna Square.

The Marrakech Royal Golf Club has undergone significant renovations in recent years, ensuring it retains its lofty status with visitors. The course sits at the foot of the snow-covered Atlas Mountains and offers quite exceptional views all around.

One of the newest Moroccan courses is Amelkis, which resides in the heart of a magnificent olive grove. It is a big site with big targets, seductively mounded, heavily bunkered and with large fairways and even bigger greens! For a truly exquisite example of Robert Trent Jones’ mastery try Palmeraie Golf Club, only 20 minutes from Marrakech. The course is plump in the centre of a spacious valley, enveloped by swinging palm trees and dotted with no less than seven lakes.

Considering it’s not too pricey and only three hours away by plane, Morocco is a refreshing golfing retreat just waiting to be discovered.