Best Golf Courses in the Middle East and North Africa: 50-26

Al Mouj.

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.

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We’re into the Top 50 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: 50-26

50. Katameya Heights

Cairo, Egypt

Design 29 Setting 10 Memorability 11 Playability 7 Consistency 7 Presentation 7 Total 71

Designed by the Frenchman Yves Bureau in the early 1990s, this is part of Cairo’s excellent selection of courses. Nicely presented, water forms part of its defence, not least on the fine closing hole. A pretty course located in the south-west area of the city.

49. Samanah

Marrakesh, Morocco

Design 30 Setting 10 Memorability 11 Playability 7 Consistency 6 Presentation 7 Total 71

A Jack Nicklaus design built in 2008 which has hosted the Ladies European Tour. The second nine is the stronger half with trees and sandy waste areas defining the playing areas. Wide, generally flat fairways with a few swales. Water affects the closing trio.

48. Al Ain

Al Ain, United Arab Emirates

Design 29 Setting 10 Memorability 11 Playability 7 Consistency 7 Presentation 7 Total 71

Al Ain is a small, relatively lush and tranquil emirate around an hour’s drive south of Abu Dhabi. The course is characterised by completely different nines and is a good test in very decent condition. Makes a nice option and change of pace when in Abu Dhabi.

47. El Jadida (Royal)

Casablanca, Morocco

Design 29 Setting 11 Memorability 11 Playability 7 Consistency 7 Presentation 7 Total 72

Cabell Robinson, such an influence in Spain, is also felt strongly in North Africa and this is another fine course by the American. While it sits close to the coast it is largely forested in nature, although there are several glimpses of the Atlantic Ocean along the way.

46. Muscat Hills

Muscat, Oman

Design 29 Setting 10 Memorability 11 Playability 7 Consistency 7 Presentation 8 Total 72

Oman’s first 18-hole championship course was designed by Paul Thomas, son of Belfry creator Dave, close to the Omani capital. He routed it through rocky terrain and dry river beds. It closed in the pandemic, but we include it in the hope it will reopen again as normal.

45. Mogador

Essaouira, Morocco

Design 29 Setting 10 Memorability 10 Playability 7 Consistency 8 Presentation 8 Total 72

Gary Player was very active in Morocco in 2010, as not only did he open Mazagan Beach, but also this fine course just a short distance along the coast. Mogador is in superb condition and consistent throughout, though it undeniably lacks the sea thrills of Mazagan.

44. Address Montgomerie

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Design 27 Setting 11 Memorability 11 Playability 9 Consistency 6 Presentation 8 Total 72

Wide fairways help to produce some birdie opportunities here but there are also some tough examinations such as 6 and 13, which are almost island greens surrounded by water. The 5th, 7th, 12th and 16th are all excellent – as is the iconic, long 18th.

43. Tabarka

Tbarka, Tunisia

Design 28 Setting 12 Memorability 12 Playability 7 Consistency 6 Presentation 7 Total 72

Located in Tunisia’s north west, next to the border with Algeria, this characterful Ron Fream course is set between the Mediterranean and a forest. There are seven holes on the front nine played around the gulf of Tabarka and those inland sheltered by oak and pine.

42. Palm Ourika

Marrakesh, Morocco

Design 29 Setting 11 Memorability 11 Playability 7 Consistency 7 Presentation 7 Total 72

One of Marrakesh’s newest courses is also its closest to the Atlas Mountains, and there is a fantastic view of them from the 10th. Semi- blind tee shots with ‘barber pole’ guidance is a novel feature, and the 8th is a memorable par 3 over a waste bunker from the right.

41. Al Maaden

Marrakesh, Morocco

Design 30 Setting 10 Memorability 11 Playability 7 Consistency 7 Presentation 7 Total 72

The greens on this Kyle Phillips course are sensationally good. It has a desert feel as it is flat and has only low-level shrubbery of short palms and lots of pink and white flowers for definition. It can be windy here and undulations and shaved surfaces around the greens make for a pleasing test.

40. Madinat Makadi

Hurghada, Egypt

Design 28 Setting 11 Memorability 12 Playability 7 Consistency 7 Presentation 7 Total 72

Designed by John Sandford, this is a really good course in the Hurghada area of Egypt. It has a desert setting, 1,300 palm trees and five holes overlooking the Red Sea, while another three boast a view of the three salt water lakes that are connected by two cascades.

There are 137 bunkers on a course that extends to 7,500 yards and is affected by wind on a daily basis. So while this is not typical resort golf it is also highly enjoyable, especially the trio of holes from the 6th that form Makadi’s ‘Amen Corner’. It is predictably dominated by water and begins on the 6th with a stream down the left that cuts across 90 yards out.

It is followed by a fine short hole played all over water, if you choose the yellow tees, before you negotiate the lake on the right of the 8th that has gobbled up thousands of balls down the years.

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39. Madinaty

New Cairo, Egypt

Design 29 Setting 11 Memorability 11 Playability 6 Consistency 7 Presentation 8 Total 72

Managed by Troon Golf, with Robert Trent Jones Jnr as the architect and in notable condition, Madinaty is a fine addition to Cairo’s portfolio. Located west of the city centre on the outskirts of New Cairo, expect a brawny test on gently undulating fairways punctuated by water and sand.

38. El Ein Bay

Ain Sokhna, Egypt

Design 29 Setting 11 Memorability 11 Playability 8 Consistency 7 Presentation 7 Total 73

Previously known as Sokhna (B&C loops), it was designed by Tim Lobb when he was part of the Thomson, Perrett and Lobb firm. In excellent condition and with a wide variety of holes, it is forgiving off the tee, not long, and playable by all. A position in the top 30 would not have looked out of place.

37. Emirates (Faldo)

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Design 29 Setting 12 Memorability 11 Playability 6 Consistency 7 Presentation 8 Total 73

Redesigned from the old Wadi (meaning valley) course by Sir Nick Faldo, this is now one of the hardest tests in the region. It is not short, there is water, that valley to contend with and more slope on the greens compared to the Majlis. A real test under the noses of Dubai’s skyscrapers.

36. Al Hamra

Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates

Design 29 Setting 11 Memorability 11 Playability 7 Consistency 7 Presentation 8 Total 73

A new venue for the European Tour in 2022, Al Hamra is a very pleasant surprise.

The lush, velvety fairways of this well-manicured Peter Harradine design wind their way between water, bunkers and mature trees, and between a number of desirable houses that line the course.

35. Royal Club (Montgomerie)

Riffa, Bahrain

Design 29 Setting 11 Memorability 11 Playability 7 Consistency 7 Presentation 8 Total 73

Originally known as Riffa, which closed in 2007 so it could be developed into Royal Club’s new course by the successful combination of Colin Montgomerie and European Golf Design. A European Tour host in 2011, expect natural valleys, sandy waste areas, four lakes and a tough test.

34. Residence (Tunis)

Tunis, Tunisia

Design 28 Setting 12 Memorability 11 Playability 7 Consistency 7 Presentation 8 Total 73

Part of a sumptuous resort that is situated on the seafront in Gammarth, close to Carthage, this is the most recent addition to the northern Tunisian scene. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jnr in a nature reserve, a large salt water lake that edges the property is in play on as many as five holes.

33. Citrus (La Foret)

Hammamet, Tunisia

Design 30 Setting 11 Memorability 11 Playability 7 Consistency 7 Presentation 7 Total 73

A 45-hole complex designed by Ron Fream with the aptly-named Foret the tougher test.  Pine trees frame much of it and there are also blind holes, water hazards and tiered greens to challenge, with the 6th arguably the pick – a par 3 of 170 yards over a ravine to a green with out of bounds to the back.

32. Noria

Marrakesh, Morocco

Design 31 Setting 11 Memorability 11 Playability 7 Consistency 6 Presentation 8 Total 74

A position that will surprise many as it’s not a big name at all… not even in Marrakesh. But we think it is really good. There is more going on around and on the greens than elsewhere in Marrakesh, with small pot bunkers, run-offs and movement in greens of various shapes… including square.

31. Yasmine Valley

Hammamet, Tunisia

Design 30 Setting 11 Memorability 11 Playability 8 Consistency 7 Presentation 7 Total 74

Opened in 1991, Yasmine Valley is a Ron Fream design punctuated by large, jigsaw-shaped bunkers, tiered greens and plenty of water. It is a championship test of more than 6,500 yards but the three par 5s are good chances for birdie because the fairways are so firm and fast.

30. Royal Marrakesh

Marrakesh, Morocco

Design 30 Setting 11 Memorability 11 Playability 7 Consistency 7 Presentation 8 Total 74

This venerable club oozes pedigree and so do its Red and Green loops, which have just been restored. Relatively flat fairways wind between mature trees while greens are notable for subtle undulations. The quirky short 9th plays between seven tall palms protruding out of a bunker cut in a U shape.

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29. Arabian Ranches

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Design 30 Setting 11 Memorability 11 Playability 7 Consistency 7 Presentation 8 Total 74

A completely new set of greens have elevated Arabian Ranches in the last couple of years. It was designed by former Open champion Ian Baker-Finch in 2004 and was initially exacting, as it’s long and the rough gobbled up your ball. Now has a ‘linksy’ look as it moves over undulating terrain.

28. Somabay (Cascades)

Hurghada, Egypt

Design 28 Setting 13 Memorability 12 Playability 8 Consistency 6 Presentation 7 Total 74

The best of Hurghada’s very nice selection of courses, it sits on a promontory into the Red Sea and is surrounded on three sides by water. Gary Player made the most of the seaside location on the short 5th over water, the sporty 6th alongside it, the 14th down towards the Red Sea, and the elegant 15th.

27. Royal Palm Marrakesh

Marrakesh, Morocco

Design 30 Setting 11 Memorability 11 Playability 7 Consistency 7 Presentation 8 Total 74

The best-presented course in Marrakesh – and probably the most interesting. Part of a World Top 100 Resort but has no residences round the course. An intricate routing darts about the site, and Cabell Robinson made the most of interesting land. Some fabulous features including a shared 8th/12th green.

26. Ayla

Aqaba, Jordan

Design 29 Setting 11 Memorability 11 Playability 8 Consistency 7 Presentation 8 Total 74

We can imagine you thinking, ‘Jordan has a golf course?’ It does, and it’s really good. One of Greg Norman’s best moments in our opinion, being more forgiving off the tee than some elsewhere. In super nick and very consistent, use it as your golf fix on a trip to this country of endless appeal.

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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.