Mazagan

The longest track in the country at almost 7,500 yards when it opened for play in 2009, the Mazagan course weaves in and out of the low-lying dunes that line the sandy coast just to the north of El Jadida. Indeed, the most memorable holes on the card are those that run alongside the beach at holes 15, 16 and 18.

The 6th hole plays as an uphill par four at 440 yards from the championship tees. Against the prevailing wind, the tee shot must carry over the sand dunes to a fairway spotted with four bunkers. A long approach then has to be played to a raised, turtle back-shaped green that’s protected by three deep bunkers. Once on the putting surface, be sure to pause and admire the panoramic 360° view of the course, the ocean and the resort.

Par is toughest to tame at the long par four 8th hole where the drive is a real risk/reward decision due to the encroachment of sand hills, narrowing the fairway at the landing area. Hitting it short results in a safe drive but requires a long iron or fairway wood approach to a severely undulating green. With a little courage off the tee, a player might just find some luck with a full-blooded drive, leaving a shorter iron to the pin.

On the back nine, the par threes at the 13th and 15th vie for recognition as the signature hole on the card. Both require a sizable tee shot carry across wild patches of vegetation to raised greens that are protected by bunkers to the front of the putting surface. Despite a benign stroke index of 18, the shorter 15th probably just pips the other par three as the most memorable hole at Mazagan, thanks in no small part to its stunning Atlantic backdrop.