Marrakech, set in the centre of Morocco, at the foot of the Atlas Mountains, is perhaps best known as a destination for a cultural, city break type holiday. Having been founded in 1062 it certainly has the history with an ancient underground irrigation systems, the Koutoubia mosque (a masterpiece of Moorish architecture which dominates the skyline), an array of museums, an ancient university and palaces. Plus of course the maze of alleyways which hold the souks (markets, one for leather, one for rugs, one for food etc) winding their way to the huge central market square. But what is less well known is that Marrakech is also home to some superb golf courses.

At a little over 3 ½ hour flight from the UK Marrakech is only a short hop past Spain but it is a world apart.

My Golf Holiday in Marrakech

Getting there was easy enough with various flight options available from British Airways, Easy Jey, Air Moroc, Thompson and, if you really are that desperate, Ryan Air.

We had decided to stay in Marrakech and travel out to the golf (it is only 3-5 miles dependent on course) and, having decided to stay in Marrakech we thought we might as well be right in the heart of Marrakech. So a traditional Riad in the Medina for us (the Medina is the walled part of the old city).

The riad was lovely but, because it was designed and built three hundred years ago to be cool in summer plus not allow women in the house to be seen from the street, it was a three storey high building with no windows to the outside (all facing into the two/three internal courtyards). Which meant you walked along an alley to a big door, banged on the door to get in and once in it had the feeling of an enclosure.  The roof terrace was however a lovely retreat and a great place for a late afternoon beer.

The Medina itself is comprised of a twisting maze of ‘streets’ which are more like 12ft wide alleys with shops either side, a milieu of people and thousands of mopeds buzzing back and forth with the rider’s finger permanently attached to the horn.  When walking you had to be on constant alert for mopeds whilst being persistently assailed by invitations to look at goods on display on either side of you or actually enter the shops. Looking at something was tantamount to agreeing to buy it and what remained was merely to negotiate the price (any attempt to deny you wanted it or even walk away was viewed simply as a negotiating stance). If you did go so far as ask the price it was at least twice what you were actually expected to pay (unless you were an idiot). I am now firmly of the belief that the sketch in Life of Brian where ‘Brian’ is desperately trying to buy a beard to disguise himself but the stall holder won’t sell it to him because he won’t haggle was born out of the writer’s experience in Marrakech! In all, for a person who views shopping in general as a necessary evil, strolling around the souks was a far from enjoyable experience.

It is a Muslim country and a very accommodating and liberal one (people were generally very friendly and helpful), but having been a French colony until 1956 I had expected almost a cafe culture and was therefore surprised to find it was anything but. There were numerous licensed premises but if you wanted an alcoholic drink you had to be seated where you could not be seen from the street (like being 16 again…). There were no Parisian style smart cafes (not even in the huge central square) from which you could relax with something light to eat and a cold beer to while away an hour or so watching the world pass by.

But the golf, the golf is simply fantastic. La Palmeraie Golf Resort to the north west of the city was apparently voted ‘Top Golf Resort in Africa 2006’ an accolade I can easily understand. Everything was immaculate, the service, the facilities, the course, everything. The Amelkis Golf Resort to the south west of the city was similarly magnificent, not a penny spared in creating a fantastic holiday resort with golf villas surrounding the course and the backdrop of the Atlas Mountains. Across the road from the Amelkis Resort is the renown Royal Marrakech Golf Club which looked very exclusive indeed. Then to complete the set you have the Samanah Country Club to the south west of the city.

So, a mixed bag really.  When we return (and we will) we will certainly stay on one of the golf resorts just outside Marrakech and then, when not playing golf, we can get a 10 minute taxi into the Medina to ‘experience’ it before retreating back to the relaxed atmosphere of the private resort with a beer or two by the pool with the mountains in the distance.

Check out these links for holiday and golf information:

Golfing Holidays Morocco

La Palmeraie Golf Resort, Marrakech

Amelkis Golf Resort, Marrakech

The Royal Marrakech Golf Club

Samanah Country Club, Marrakech