Morocco

[Keith Durrant]

On a rainy chilly morning, my mind is warming to the idea of some winter sun and golf. Morocco is one possible destination.

RTJ Snr's Royal Dar Es Salaam has been in various publicised World Lists in the past. How good is it now?

Tangiers has a Pennink/CK Cotton design. Marrakech and Agadir have a few resort courses.

Any recommendations?

[Tony_Muldoon]

Keith Warmly recommend Marrakech as a place to visit, very interesting, much to see and do, and great people.

I played Palmeraie(sp) which was ok in a Doak 4 sort of way. Caddies for 5 euro's inc tip!  There are two more courses near the city and according to people I spoke to later on they are slightly better but neither is a must play destination.

Unless you are also seeking to have a holiday from the French the Club Med there has excellent practice facilities and taxi rides to the courses are not ruinous!

email me if you have any other questions.

[Joe Andriole]

I played Dar-es-Salam about 15 years ago; there are 45 holes there and I believe the blue course is the premiere layout.  It was prototypical 70s RTJ.  A solid, difficult course in very good condition.  The naivete of our caddies was the most unique aspect of the visit.

[RT]

Visited Dar-es-Salam back in 1998.  Found the course overwatered, Kikuya-infested, making it play extremely long, and had a rather tired feel about, bunkers well past their sell by date in terms of needing some tender restoration work.

[Keith Durrant]

Thanks for the feedback on Dar Es Salaam. Marrakech sounds like a better bet. Tony, the 1923 Arnaud Massy "Royal" course there, sounds interesting.

[Tony_Muldoon]

I've leant my tourist books to a friend so I can tell you very little about the others.  Also note that Royal Rabat has a two pafe entry in the World Atlas of Golf. Itwas built for King Hassan 2nd who became very keen on golf and employed Claude Harmon as his personal coach. RT Jones snr designed it and the third course at Marrakech that I can't recall the name of.  The Royal course you refer to was described to me as tight and interesting so at the very least you get a variety of styles.

From memory it was built at the behest of the local tribal leader of Marrakech.  He was quite a colourful character, a despot and tyrant at home and a charmer at the best tables in Europe.  He was apparently quite a hit with the ladies but not as sophisticated as he thought.  He went to the bedroom of the wife of one of his overseas guests one night only to run out a little later screaming that she had tried to eat his manhood!


If it's purely golf trip there are better destinations, mine was a great family holiday and the golf was a bonus.

[Gerry B]

played royal dar essalem many years ago -was good at the time -but did not appreciate courses /architecture at the time as i do now

played 2 of the courses there -the king had his own tee decks when i played it

[Tommy Williamsen]

My wife and I went ot Morocco to play golf about five years ago.  Honestly, Dar Es Salaam is over rated. The caddies were only bag toters and told us in very stern language that our payment was unsatisfaactory, even trhough we gave them twice what we were told was the rate.  Be careful driving it is very easy to get a ticket.  I also found myself feeling like a very green travelor.  Every time I parked I was paying some one to watch the car.  People were asking me for money all the time for one thing or another.  It was overwhelming.  We stayed at the Hilton in Rabat and it was wonderful.  But outside the hotel my wife was very uncomfortable.  We are not in a rush to go back.

[Keith Durrant]

Tony,

You note that there might be better purely golfing, winter destinations. Did you have anywhere specific in mind?

[Tony_Muldoon]

I have to say I don't really like the south of Spain it seems ‘lost’, but it would be hard to not to get excited about the chance to play on Valderama.  They do allow you on but only if you start between 12 and 2 when the members are enjoying lunch!

You started by looking for an alternative to a rainy chilly weather and Morocco and south of Spain offer your best options but........  for me the most enticing base is Biarritz.  On the recent French thread the following courses are all within 45mins travel.
13. Golf de Moliets, Moliets
 
15. G.C. d'Hossegor, Hossegor
16. Golf de Chiberta, Anglet (NAF posted some pictures recently.)

In addition there are another 3 or 4 courses in the Peugeot Golf Guide that would make good division two courses and like Chiberta are within 15mins of the centre.

The weather is definitely more variable here.  Should be warm, could be really warm and could also be wet.  It's odd but I've never been able to get Biarritz or Bayonne up on one of those sites that tell you the average temperature and rainfall so this is based on anecdotal evidence.  

Biarritz is a great place with lots to do and it's one of the few places I've travelled to that remains high on my list of next trips.