Royal Golf Marrakech Old Course Review

Father and son duo Kevin and Freddie Paver complete their review of some of the finest golf courses in Morocco by reflecting on their experience at the Royal Golf Marrakech Old Course. If you fancy walking in their footsteps, then our travel partners Golfbreaks offer golf packages to Morocco.

If you want to see more of Freddie's adventures in the game - you can follow him on TikTok. 

Just 15 minutes away from the centre of Marrakech, is where the beautiful Royal Marrakech Golf Club rests. Designed in 1927 by Gustave Golias, and later remodelled in 1933 by Golias and Arnaud Massy, it is one of the oldest courses in Morocco. It has been played by some famous names such as Winston Churchill, David Lloyd George and General Ike Eisenhower and was a favourite of King Hassan II. They also added a second course, a 9 hole ‘New Course’ in 2007. 

Pre-Round Thoughts

As you take the turn into Royal Marrakech, you instantly notice the large walls, many trees and the large gates that welcome you in. The golf shop is a small but stocked full with the finest branded golf goodies. Next to the shop is the clubhouse. An absolutely stunning colonial style building which has received numerous award over the years. The restaurant has amazing food, and you should definitely eat before or after your round (or both!). You can also enjoy the grass range which sits at the back of the restaurant terrace. Once you have collected your scorecard from the shop, you will make your way to the first tee and see glimpses of the course.

Front 9 Overview

The first hole is a great one to start with. A 450 yard hole (white tees) with a small dogleg right, but is a nice hole to start on. With a good drive, the green is easily make-able in two and can set you off brilliantly for the rest of the round. 

The second is a great hole. A 350 yard par 4 with a small dogleg left, there is a line of a few trees that cover the left side. If you’re feeling brave, you can take these on and leave yourself a short shot into the green. Once you get past the trees, there are two large bunkers surrounding the front and right side of the green and trees covering the left side of the hole. A good shot required to get on the green and a tricky green. What looks like an easy hole on paper can very easily catch you out!

To finish off the front 9, the 9th hole (Brigitte Bardot) is one of the most famous holes in Morocco. It is special as it was baptised by King Hassan II. It is a very tricky hole. A 152 yards par 3, it’s a tremendous hole to play. There are two large mounds with a bunker between them, and trees on the line of your shot, that all that block access to the green. If you leave your tee shot short, you have a blind chip to get onto the green. But if you get over the mounds, there is a flat but quick green awaiting. Not an easy par, but soak this one up all the same. 

Back 9 Overview

The back nine kicks things off with three fairly simple holes to help get a score going. Then you get to the 13th. This is a very special hole. You will notice to the right of the tee is an extra tee box. It is a ‘presidential’ tee for VIPs. It isn’t used very often but this fantastic elevated tee gives an entirely different view to the hole. It is the only one however, but it is still awesome. 

The 160 yard par 3 16th hole is another tricky hole, which is definitely a feature at Royal Marrakech. Bunkers lay at the front and right of the green and seem to have their own golf ball magnetic field. If you don’t hit the green, you will be faced with a tough up and down to make par. Even if you make the green, you are not left with an easy putt as the green is treacherous. A bogey here is not a disaster. 

The 17th is a 473 yard par 5. The second longest on the Old Course, it is an unusually straight hole but with some strategic bunkering to keep you on your toes, including three surrounding the green. A reachable bunker on the right-hand side and three surrounding the green. For longer hitters, getting on in two shouldn’t be tricky and even for shorter hitters it is still a good chance of par. 

The 18th is a real spectacle. A relatively short par 4 at just 315 yards, but it is a tight fairway with bunkering left and right to catch any wayward shots. If you’re full of confidence and have the shot, longer hitters could certainly roll one up to the green for a magnificent eagle to finish. Failing that, with smart play you could definitely walk away with a birdie. It is a great hole to finish the round. 

Verdict

Royal Marrakech is a great, short course that is suitable for all abilities. The course is in good condition and is such an enjoyable layout to play. You may also a variety of wildlife whilst you’re playing - we were lucky enough to see a family of impalas who were intrigued by our putting! Not only is the course fantastic, the overall facilities are too and it’s not difficult to lose yourself here for the entire day. 

To find out more, please visit https://royal-golf-marrakech.com/en/royal-golf-marrakesh/.