Assoufid Golf Club

The short par-four 6th sets the tone at Assoufid Golf Club, tempting the longer hitter to attack the green while the fairway tightens as it runs on. It is one of several holes where good judgement matters as much as distance. This 7,042-yard, par-72 layout moves over naturally undulating desert terrain, with the snow-capped Atlas Mountains forming a constant backdrop to the south. Designed by former European Tour player Niall Cameron and opened in 2014, it asks for controlled tee shots and precise approaches rather than a single repeated strategy. The par-four 10th brings the shaaba, a dry natural watercourse, directly into play on the approach. At the 17th, an elevated tee sends your ball across the same shaaba to a par-three green guarded by bunkers short and long. The closing par four turns right before an uphill approach between olive trees.

There is a pleasing sense of space throughout the round, helped by an approach that planted only 45% of the site. Existing trees remain part of the landscape, joined by palms, cacti and olive trees, while the surrounding desert gives each fairway clear definition. Before a round, the academy, practice area and driving range with shaded tees give you somewhere useful to settle into the conditions. Afterwards, the clubhouse occupies high ground above the course, so the terrace is a natural place to sit with a drink and look back towards the Atlas. The bar restaurant serves food, salads and drinks during the day, with chef Noureddine El Alem changing the menu regularly.

Assoufid is around 10 minutes from Marrakech International Airport and about 6.2 miles from the Medina, a journey of roughly 20 minutes from the old town. That makes it easy to combine a morning tee time with an afternoon among Marrakech’s souks, gardens and cafés, without losing much of the day to travelling.