Where to travel for golf this winter – UAE & Africa
All Square 4min read •
4 Nov 2024
Escape the cold weather and head to Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Marrakech, or Mauritius for the perfect warm-weather golf break. We pick the best resorts.
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Year-round sunshine and temperatures between 19°C and 25°C from November to April make Abu Dhabi the perfect winter getaway. With world-class golf courses and amazing hotels, the capital of the UAE is hard to beat for the sun-seeking golfer.
Hotels in Abu Dhabi are very well suited to both families and groups of friends. Most leading hotel chains have 4- and 5-star properties here. The most spectacular is the 5-star W Abu Dhabi on Yas Island, located at the center of the Yas Marina Circuit racetrack. A great location for those playing at the Yas Links Abu Dhabi golf course designed by Kyle Phillips, ranked by All Square as the best course in the Middle East.
For those teeing off at the Saadiyat Beach Golf Club designed by Gary Player, the 5-star Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi is an exclusive sanctuary located on a 9km stretch of beach on Saadiyat Island, adjacent to the course. The St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort is another 5-star option offering its own private beach on the island, right next to the course. For 5-star luxury combined with a round at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club, the Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa is the perfect setting for your trip.
Millions of tourists visit Dubai each year to enjoy the sunshine, shopping and family fun. During the winter season, it’s sunny with an average daytime temperature of 25°C. Discover Burj Khalifa, the Bastakia quarter, The Palms, Ski Dubai, Dubai Mall and Wild Wadi Waterpark, as well as the world-class service and facilities.
One of the best resorts is the luxurious waterfront retreat Park Hyatt Dubai, home to a fantastic 18-hole championship course, while guests have access to several legendary courses designed by stellar names such as Ernie Els and Sir Nick Faldo. Just minutes from the city centre and the world-class shopping district, there’s over 250 guest rooms and suites, each offering a private balcony or terrace with gorgeous views of Dubai Creek and the famous skyline.
Morocco, on the North African coast, enjoys plenty of sunshine and averages around a pleasant 20°C over the winter period, ideal for year-round golf. Places of interest include the historic city of Marrakech which offers some of the best resorts in the country, tucked away in the more peaceful suburbs, as well as incredible food, bazaars and architecture.
Fairmont Royal Palm Marrakech is a 5-star haven of relaxation only 10km south of Marrakech and its famous Medina, just 20 minutes from Menara Airport. The resort is backed by the snowy peaks of the Atlas Mountains and offers 134 guest rooms, suites and villas adorned with traditional regional craftsmanship. The resort also boasts one of Cabell B Robinson’s best 18-hole golf courses.
The par 72, the 18-hole course at the resort’s Royal Palm Golf & Country Club is beautifully dotted with palm trees, bougainvillea, and oleander shrubs. It’s long and weaving with gorgeous views of the Atlas Mountains and its water features and bunkers make it a fun challenge.
Year-round sunshine makes Mauritius a great golfing destination, particularly ideal for a golf vacation during winter. Located in the Indian Ocean, November to April is summer in Mauritius with temperatures peaking at an average of 30°C in both January and February.
Luxury hotel group Sunlife has four incredible resorts in Mauritius to choose from, each with privileged access to a Bernhard Langer golf course on its very own tropical island. The Mauritian hotel group is comprised of 5-star hotels Long Beach and Sugar Beach and 4-star properties La Pirogue and Ambre Resort & Spa, as well as the private east coast island Ile aux Cerfs. The island is home to the Ile aux Cerfs Golf Club and its 18-hole championship course designed by the two-time Masters champion.
Guests at each resort gain privileged access to Langer’s course and, depending on which resort you stay at, can also play at Ernie Els’ Anahita Golf Club less than 2km away, as well as Tamarina Golf Club on the west coast designed by Rodney Wright.
