The Montgomerie Marrakech

Colin Montgomerie's design imprint is unmistakable here — a course built around the risk-reward geometry and firm, fast conditions he favored throughout his architectural career. The Montgomerie Marrakech, part of the Fairmont Royal Palm resort complex, opened in 2013 and quickly established itself as one of North Africa's most polished resort golf experiences. The layout rewards strategic play over raw power, with generous fairways that tighten meaningfully around greens defended by subtle contouring and well-placed bunkers. Water features appear at key moments, raising the stakes on a handful of holes that stay in the memory long after the round.

Marrakech gives golf an extraordinary backdrop. The Atlas Mountains frame the horizon, the air carries the scent of citrus and eucalyptus, and the light in this part of Morocco has a particular clarity that makes the course's Palm-lined corridors feel genuinely exotic. The city itself — its souks, riads, and Djemaa el-Fna square — is only minutes away.

For resort golf, the standard here is high. The conditioning is immaculate by regional standards, caddies are plentiful and knowledgeable, and the combination of accessible design with genuine visual drama makes this an easy recommendation for any traveling golfer routing through southern Morocco.