Assoufid Golf Club

Marrakech is undergoing something of a sporting boom as the Moroccan government encourages the development of golf facilities to the south of the city. The Al Madden course from Kyle Phillips debuted in 2010 and the 18-hole Samanah layout from Nicklaus Design was unveiled a year later.

Both these modern designs preceded the 2014 opening of the impressive Assoufid golf course – designed by former European Tour player Niall Cameron – and its fairways have been routed in such a way that most of the holes lie in a north-south orientation.

The par four 5th is one of the toughest holes on the card. Played from an elevated tee, its fairway is flanked on either side by desert as it rises directly towards the Atlas Mountains. Tee shots played to the left will afford golfers a better view of the flag for an approach whilst a drive up the right side will leave more of a blind shot into the pin.

The tee for the par three 17th is located at the highest point on the course – offering panoramic views of all the holes on the back nine – and it’s the starting point for the signature hole at Assoufid. Tee shots must carry a natural dry stream (called a shaaba) that runs through the course before reaching a wide but shallow green protected by bunkers to the front and rear.