Best Golf Courses in the Middle East and North Africa: 25-11

Saadiyaat Beach, Abu Dhabi.

What are the best golf courses in the Middle East and North Africa? The Golf World Top 100 panel ranks and rates the finest designs in the UAE, Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain and Jordan.

JUMP TO: How we did it | 70-51 | 50-26 | 25-11 | 10-1

We’ve into the upper echelons of our inaugural Middle East and North Africa golf courses ranking. Head over to our ‘How we did it’ for more information on the criteria we used to rank these extraordinary courses, our scoring system and the judging panel.

Please do feed back where you feel we’re right and, more likely, where you think we’ve gone wrong. We’d love to hear from you via email, on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

And, once you’ve enjoyed this ranking, please do take a look at some of our others – from the best courses in England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Spain, Portugal, Europe and the USA, to GB&I’s best links, the most fun courses to play and the finest resorts in Europe and the World, we’ve got it covered.

Golf World Top 100 Courses in the Middle East and North Africa: 25-11

25. Royal Dar Es Salam (Blue)

Rabat, Morocco

Design 30 Setting 11 Memorability 11 Playability 8 Consistency 7 Presentation 8 Total 75

No-one disputes this is the No.2 course at this 45-hole club but the Blue is patently a fine complement to the Red, which is No.5 in this ranking. A Robert Trent Jones Snr design that was renovated by his associate Cabell Robinson, this long-time LET host is shorter but tighter than its sister.

24. Jumeirah Estates (Fire)

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Design 31 Setting 11 Memorability 11 Playability 6 Consistency 8 Presentation 8 Total 75

Doesn’t have the exposure of its sibling course, but still a top track. Nice contrast in sand – from the whispy white silica of the Earth to the Fire’s burnt terracotta. The par 3s are probably the pick here, which is the tighter and more challenging Jumeirah course. It is preferred by many members.

23. Royal Greens

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Design 30 Setting 12 Memorability 11 Playability 7 Consistency 7 Presentation 8 Total 75

A European Tour Design course with a lovely setting. It is gaining fame as the host of the invitational event that attracts several big-name Tour players. Strategic and consistent to add to its gorgeous setting, which is seen at its best at the start and end of the round. Top 25 the least it deserves.

22. Tazegzout

Agadir, Morocco

Design 30 Setting 12 Memorability 11 Playability 8 Consistency 7 Presentation 7 Total 75

The Tazegzout course by Kyle Phillips is part of a World Top 100 Resort, Taghazout, located just north of Agadir. It hugs the coast spectacularly for a number of holes while others are cut through indigenous Argan forest. This often stunning clifftop course is laid out 80m above sea level.

21. Katameya Dunes

Cairo, Egypt

Design 29 Setting 11 Memorability 11 Playability 7 Consistency 8 Presentation 9 Total 75

A Nick Faldo design, in association with the respected Brian Curley, that was built to a high specification and is part of one of our World Top 100 Resorts. A desert feel to the course, but it is impeccably manicured and is thus a lush experience. A very fine course to be Egypt’s No.3, which shows the depth.

20. Doha

Doha, Qatar

Design 30 Setting 11 Memorability 11 Playability 8 Consistency 8 Presentation 7 Total 75

Qatar with two entries in the top 20 might surprise a few but only if they haven’t been there, because it has contrasting but excellent courses. Doha has a terrific routing, nice movement in fairways and several interesting holes. If its presentation continues to be refined, it will rise higher.

19. Education City

Doha, Qatar

Design 30 Setting 11 Memorability 11 Playability 6 Consistency 8 Presentation 9 Total 75

This Jose Maria Olazabal design is the second course to be built in Qatar and was a hit with European Tour players. One of the best-conditioned tracks in the Middle East – and that is saying something. Not especially forgiving off the tee but a fine all-round test. Wouldn’t be out of line 10 places higher.

18. Saadiyat Beach

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Design 28 Setting 12 Memorability 11 Playability 8 Consistency 8 Presentation 8 Total 75

A ‘resort course’ you’d always relish playing but Saadiyat has lost a bit of its wow factor with the residences that have risen up on its edges and restricted sea views. It still looks pretty with sand splashed around and the wildlife – from birds to gazelles – is testament to its tranquil seaside location.

17. Dubai Creek

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Design 29 Setting 13 Memorability 13 Playability 7 Consistency 6 Presentation 8 Total 76

The marks tell the story of this Dubai golf icon; an awesome Setting and memorable holes for part of the round, but also some more modest phases. The best stretches (4-7 and 15-18) are high calibre and it’s a challenge and strategic in places. Gusts off the glistening creek adds to the test.

16. Dubai Hills

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Design 30 Setting 11 Memorability 11 Playability 8 Consistency 8 Presentation 8 Total 76

Laid out by European Golf Design’s Gary Johnston, this newcomer has already made a significant mark. Forgiving off the tee but asking good players to find the best angles of approach, there is plenty of fun around the greens. The 5th is a real standout hole, with Burj Khalifa as the target line off the tee.

15. The Allegria

Cairo, Egypt

Design 31 Setting 11 Memorability 11 Playability 7 Consistency 8 Presentation 8 Total 76

A Greg Norman course set within one of Cairo’s most exclusive residential communities, so it is lined by elegant houses throughout. So, no enchanting views but plenty of interest as its undulating fairways slither between and over lakes, streams, rocks and vegetation.

14. Jumeirah (Earth)

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Design 30 Setting 12 Memorability 12 Playability 6 Consistency 8 Presentation 8 Total 76

The venue for the DP World Tour’s finale is every inch the modern ‘championship’ test. Its deep bunkers look nothing like their links counterparts, but do the same thing strategically – they are unforgiving. The greens are big and you need to hit the right part of them. Strong stretch from 15-17.

13. Assoufid

Marrakesh, Morocco

Design 30 Setting 12 Memorability 11 Playability 8 Consistency 8 Presentation 8 Total 77

Marrakesh’s clear No.1 is a 2014 design by Niall Cameron that cleverly winds through undulating terrain in the lee of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains. It’s 20 minutes from the old town (Medina) of the vibrant city, yet playing it is a tranquil experience. A desert-style course with lots of nice touches.

12. Abu Dhabi (National)

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Design 31 Setting 11 Memorability 11 Playability 7 Consistency 8 Presentation 9 Total 77

This long-time host of the Abu Dhabi Tour event is one of the region’s best technical courses and was popular with the pros. There are interesting holes especially on the front nine and it is in terrific nick. Inland rather than seaside setting but a memorable 18th in front of the iconic falcon clubhouse.

11. Newgiza

Cairo, Egypt

Design 31 Setting 12 Memorability 11 Playability 8 Consistency 8 Presentation 8 Total 78

The most recent addition to Egypt’s portfolio is, in our opinion, already its best. This course on the outskirts of Cairo – with the Pyramids visible from certain points – was a long time in the making, having been started by Thomson, Perrett and Lobb and finished by Tim Lobb after the death of Open icon Peter Thomson.

The Surrey-based Australian has made a wonderful job of routing the course on an undulating, rocky site that led to a variety of holes and interesting green complexes. Built to a high specification, Newgiza is part of an upscale development and would very comfortably fit in this list’s top 10.

Highlights include the drop par-3 4th in the direction of the Pyramids, which is part of a fine opening salvo. Playable off the tee, but often enjoyably devilish on and around the greens.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Chris Bertram is the Golf World Top 100 Editor.

He was born and brought up in Dumfriesshire and has been a sports journalist since 1996, initially as a junior writer with National Club Golfer magazine.

Chris then spent four years writing about football and rugby union for the Press Association but returned to be Editor and then Publisher of NCG before joining Golf World and Today’s Golfer as Senior Production Editor.

He has been freelance since 2010 and when he is not playing and writing about the world’s finest golf courses, he works for BBC Sport.

A keen all-round sportsman, Chris plays off 11 – which could be a little better if it wasn’t for hilariously poor lag putting which has to be seen to be believed.