Golf Course Review… Marrakech

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Fact File

Par – 72
Rating – 71
Length – 6214m (club tees)
Best Time to Play – All year

History

The Palmeraie Golf Palace 18-hole championship course was built over an area of 120 hectares. It was designed by legendary golf course designer Robert Trent Jones Sr. and opened in 1992.

The Course

This parkland course was built in the palm grove area of Marrakech, so you’ll find plenty of palm trees and lakes. The layout has a number of typical water features, which is what we came to expect of Jones. There are also many undulating greens and strategically placed bunkers, so there’s an emphasis on driving your ball into the right position, if you plan on attacking the flag. That being said, because the greens are undulating and are protected by a number of bunkers, you need to have a good handle on your iron game as well, as any errant approach shot will either be gobbled up by a bunker, or you may find yourself on the wrong side of the green, facing a difficult putt. On the front nine, the third is a challenging hole, with a dogleg requiring an accurate tee-shot, whilst the ninth also requires precision, with a carry over water. The back nine is more technical and the par-5 16th stands out, whilst the 17th also requires the utmost concentration, with another of the course’s ‘magnetic’ lakes. The 18th finishes close to the clubhouse. At 6,200 metres from the back tees, it’s not a very long course, but it plays to its 71 rating and is no pushover, particularly with a number of tight fairways and a few lakes strategically positioned next to greens. More recently, a new nine-hole course has been added to the offering and it apparently plays longer and offers a greater challenge. It’s also a bit more open and forgiving off the tee, but it’s the length that protects it from being overpowered. Overall, Palmeraie is a great resort course, because it’s not too long for the high handicapper, whilst the course’s defences come in the form of the bunkers and water hazards, along with the challenging greens.

Signature Hole

The 17th hole is Palmeraie Golf Palace’s signature hole. It’s a challenging par-3, with water short and right of the green. The hole measures about 180 metres from the back tee, so it requires a decent whack with a long iron or hybrid club. It’s all about the tee-shot on this hole, so you had better feel comfortable with a long club in your hands. Otherwise, your ball is likely to find itself in the water. There’s a restaurant along the lake, and it provides a wonderful view of the hole. So, once you’ve finished, you can sit and enjoy a drink, watching others dunk their tee-shots in the water!

Rates

Visitor – $70
Hotel Guest – $65
Caddie – $15
Cart Hire – $50
Club Hire – $50

Location

Palmeraie Golf Palace & Resort is located in Marrakech, 10 minutes from the city centre. Menara Marrakech Airport is 15 kilometres away and it usually takes about 20 minutes by car.

Contact

Address: Les Jardins de la Palmeraie, BP 1488
Tel: +212 524 36 87 66
Email: 
golf@pgp.ma
Web: www.palmeraiemarrakech.com

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