Royal Golf Dar es Salam

Hassan II was a serious golfer and commissioned Robert Trent Jones Senior to build a course in the cork oak forest of Zaers outside Rabat; it opened in 1971 with a Red course, a Blue and a shorter Green added, and the Trophée Hassan II has been played on the Red since that year, making it one of the longer-running tournaments in Africa. The Red is the one that matters: about 6,700 metres from the back tees, cut as corridors through mature cork oak so that the trees are the defence on almost every hole, with water on several and a par-three island green at the ninth that is the signature. The forest keeps it cool and quiet and the birdlife is substantial. It is open to visitors with a booking and green fees are high by Moroccan standards. Morocco has a considerable golf infrastructure built on royal patronage, of which this is the origin.

What you actually see

• Corridors through cork oak - mature forest as the defence on nearly every hole.
• A 1971 Trent Jones design - built on royal commission and unchanged in character.
• The island green - the par three that is the course's signature.
• A continuous tournament - the Hassan II Trophy played here since the course opened.

When to go

October to May; summer is hot even under the trees. A day.

Honest expectations

Booking is required and green fees are high. Dress code is enforced. Tournament weeks close the Red course to visitors. It is outside the city and needs a car.

Nearby

Rabat is north-west; the Zaers forest continues south.