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Golf Academy in Marrakech — PGA Coaching at Riad Vendôme
Need to obtain your Golf Green Card in Marrakech first? Our 5-day Green Card course (FFG validation, internationally recognised) is the entry point to our PGA-led golf academy in Marrakech — perfect for absolute beginners before progressing to improvement formats.
Riad Vendôme runs a golf academy in Marrakech with a unique format: personalised coaching by PGA France certified pros, access to the 11 finest courses in the city, and accommodation in a charming riad in the heart of the medina. Tuition from €99 per day (intensive 9-hole) and €688 per person for the 5-day Green Card. Every level welcome, from complete beginners to confirmed players. Programme organised directly by Eric, the French owner, a golfer himself based in Marrakech since 2011.
Marrakech has become the golf capital of Morocco, with 11 international-class courses within a 30-minute radius. But where to stay during a golf academy week is a real question. Resort hotels offer direct course access but standardised comfort with no cultural connection. Travel agencies sell catalogue trips with no dedicated host and no personalisation. Riad Vendôme offers a different path: coaching by a PGA France pro, accommodation in a traditional riad classified by the Moroccan Ministry of Tourism, and one English-speaking host who organises everything from arrival to tee time.
Why choose Riad Vendôme for your golf academy week
Three pillars set the Riad Vendôme golf academy apart from every other option in Marrakech:
- Location: you stay in the historic medina, in the Dar El Bacha quarter, just 1 km from Jemaa El Fna — not in a resort hotel on the city outskirts.
- Coaches: two PGA France certified pros, both State-diploma holders, covering every level from absolute beginner to scratch player.
- Host: Eric is on site, speaks English fluently, is a golfer himself, and personally organises your transfers, tee times and tailor-made programme.
After a day on the course, you return to a private riad with a heated rooftop jacuzzi at 36 degrees Celsius, an oriental hammam, two massage rooms, and a panoramic terrace overlooking the Koutoubia minaret and the snow-capped Atlas mountains. Chef Naima prepares authentic Moroccan cuisine in the evening — tagines, couscous, salads — served in the patio or on the rooftop. The licensed bar offers Moroccan wines (Guerouane, Volubilia) and champagne.
Your PGA coaches
Riad Vendôme works with two PGA France professional partners, both State-diploma holders. Eric matches you with the coach best suited to your level and goals.
PGA France pro — Beginner pedagogy and Green Card. A State-diploma instructor for 20 years and PGA France member, our lead pro for beginners runs his own golf academy in Marrakech since 2018. His approach favours accessibility: a structured 5-day Green Card course, modular intensive formats from 1 to 7 days, and a discovery circuit combining lessons and play across several Moroccan courses.
PGA France pro — Improvement and confirmed players. A State-diploma instructor since 1997 and PGA France member, with nearly 30 years of experience. Has been teaching at the prestigious Golf Amelkis in Marrakech since 2007. His method rests on four pillars — grip, posture, alignment, routine — and emphasises dialogue with the student to identify specific blocks: stress management, fear of water hazards, score control.
Available course formats
Six formats let you adapt the academy to your level, your budget and your stay duration. Tuition prices below are for the coaching only; riad accommodation and golf transfers are billed separately or bundled in our Stay & Play packages.
| Format | Duration | From / person |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner Green Card — complete beginners | 5 days | 800 EUR / €688 |
| Intensive 9-hole — technique + on-course play | 1 day | 115 EUR / €99 |
| Intensive 9-hole — full week build-up | 5 days | 575 EUR / €495 |
| Intensive 9-hole — full immersion | 7 days | 805 EUR / €692 |
| Intensive 18-hole — technique + 18-hole strategy | Tailor-made | On request |
| Improvement — handicap below 28 | Tailor-made | On request |
| Private / Luxe — one-to-one or couple | Tailor-made | On request |
| Morocco Discovery Circuit — multi-city | 6 to 10 days | On request |
Tuition prices in EUR. EUR equivalent at 0.86 conversion rate, indicative. Riad accommodation, transfers, green fees, caddy and club hire billed separately or bundled in Stay & Play packages. High season (October to April) +15 percent.
11 championship courses within 30 minutes
Every academy format includes access to the 11 leading courses of Marrakech, selected with your coach according to your level and the programme. All sit 15 to 30 minutes from the riad, with private vehicle transfers included in our bundled packages.
| Course | Holes | Architect | From riad |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Golf de Marrakech | 18, par 72 | Historic (1927) | 10 min |
| Golf Amelkis | 27, par 72 | Cabell Robinson | 15 min |
| Palmeraie Golf Palace | 27, par 72 | Robert Trent Jones Sr. | 20 min |
| Samanah Golf | 18, par 72 | Jack Nicklaus | 25 min |
| Al Maaden | 18, par 72 | Kyle Phillips | 20 min |
| Fairmont Royal Palm | 18, par 72 | Cabell Robinson | 15 min |
| Montgomerie Marrakech | 18, par 72 | Colin Montgomerie | 20 min |
| Assoufid Club | 18, par 72 | Niall Cameron | 25 min |
| Palm Golf Ourika | 18, par 72 | — | 20 min |
| Golf de la Noria | 18, par 72 | European Golf Design | 15 min |
| Rotana Palmeraie | 27, par 72 | Robert Trent Jones | 20 min |
Taxi at 100 metres — golf bags made easy
Riad Vendôme sits at the edge of the medina, in the historic Dar El Bacha district, 100 metres from the Dar El Bacha Palace (Musée des Confluences) and just 100 metres from the Bab Doukkala taxi rank. Why does this matter for a golf academy week? Because every other riad in the medina is 10 to 15 minutes walk from the nearest taxi, with porters required for golf bags through narrow alleyways. At Riad Vendôme you walk 100 metres on a flat paved street to your taxi and your golf bags travel comfortably in the boot. Eric arranges the taxi pickup the evening before your tee time, with a driver who knows the courses and the routes.
For the bags themselves, the riad provides a secure storage area on the ground floor, with quick access for early-morning departures. No carrying clubs through the medina at 7 am, no porters, no logistics headaches. This is one of the practical reasons golfers chose Riad Vendôme over a generic riad: the medina charm without the medina logistics problems.
Book your golf academy week
Eric replies personally to every quote request within 24 hours. To save time, please specify your playing level, preferred dates, number of participants and the academy format you have in mind. You can also reach us directly on WhatsApp at +212 600 608 608.
Book your golf academy: + 212 600 608 608
All-inclusive Stay & Play packages
To simplify your organisation, we offer four all-inclusive packages that combine golf academy tuition, riad accommodation, golf transfers and wellness services. All prices are per person in a double room.
| Package | Composition | From / person |
|---|---|---|
| Discovery Golf 4 days / 3 nights | 3 nights at the riad (breakfast included) + Intensive 9-hole 2 days + 1 hammam + golf transfers | 520 EUR / €447 |
| Beginner Green Card 6 days / 5 nights | 5 nights at the riad (breakfast included) + Intensive 9-hole 4 days + 1 hammam + 1 hour massage + golf transfers | 890 EUR / €765 |
| Complete Green Card 7 days / 6 nights | 6 nights at the riad (breakfast included) + Beginner Green Card 5 days + 1 hammam + 1 hour massage + golf transfers + official FFG validation | 1480 EUR / €1273 |
| Premium Improvement 8 days / 7 nights | 7 nights at the riad (half board) + Technique course 5 days + 2 hammams + 2 massages + private transfers + gala dinner | On request |
Every all-inclusive package includes:
- Personal welcome by Eric on arrival
- End-to-end logistical organisation (one single point of contact)
- Full club hire (unless you bring your own)
- Return private vehicle transfers to the courses
- Free access to the riad spa: pool, jacuzzi at 36 degrees Celsius, hammam (subject to availability)
- Fibre wifi and satellite TV in every room
Your accommodation during the academy week
For the full duration of your golf academy week, you stay at Riad Vendôme & Spa, a charming riad classified by the Moroccan Ministry of Tourism, located at 217 Derb El Halfaoui in the Dar El Bacha quarter of the medina. The riad has 12 rooms and junior suites, a patio with cooling pool (5m by 3m), an oriental hammam, two massage rooms, and a heated rooftop jacuzzi at 36 degrees Celsius with panoramic views over the Koutoubia minaret and the Atlas mountains.
This setup has been designed for golfer recovery: after a day on the course, the hammam (black-soap scrub plus steam) and the argan-oil massage regenerate the muscles worked by the swing. The jacuzzi is open all year. The pool is ideal from April to October. Chef Naima prepares authentic Moroccan cuisine — tagines, couscous, Moroccan salads — served in the dining room, the patio, or on the rooftop. The licensed bar offers champagne and Moroccan wines (Guerouane, Volubilia) for an evening to extend the day in convivial company.
A typical day at the academy
Here is how a typical day unfolds during an intensive academy week at Riad Vendôme. The programme is fine-tuned each day with your coach according to your progression and your goals.
7:30 am — Moroccan breakfast at Riad Vendôme: msemen, beghrir, Atlas honey, fresh fruit, freshly squeezed orange juice, mint tea, coffee.
8:30 am — Private vehicle transfer to the day's course (15 to 30 minutes depending on the course).
9:00 am — Warm-up and technical session at the practice range with your pro (1 to 2 hours depending on the format).
11h am — On-course play (9 or 18 holes) with the coach. Direct application of the practice points. Caddy available at most courses.
2:00 pm — Lunch at the club-house or back at the riad as you prefer.
4:00 pm — Return to Riad Vendôme. Free time at the pool or rooftop.
5:30 pm — Hammam and massage session (optional, to be booked in advance).
7:30 pm — Dinner at the riad (Chef Naima's Moroccan cuisine) or out at one of the medina restaurants Eric recommends.
When to come for a golf academy week in Marrakech
The Marrakech golf season runs from September to May, with an exceptionally favourable climate. Recommended periods:
- October to March — ideal season. Temperatures 18 to 25 degrees Celsius, clear skies, courses in perfect condition. The most sought-after period, booking advised 2 months ahead. Higher tariffs.
- April to May and September — excellent months. Temperatures 22 to 28 degrees, moderate footfall, good value.
- December to February — the winter advantage. Marrakech is 3 to 3.5 hours from London at 20 degrees in winter, while UK and northern European courses are frosted over. The perfect window to prepare your home season. Strong demand, book early.
- June to August — not recommended outside early mornings. Heat (35 to 40 degrees in the afternoon), play possible only between 6:30 and 11 am. Lowest tariffs, empty courses. For heat-tolerant golfers only.
Riad Vendôme is open all year, so Eric can build your academy week on any period.
Organising a golf trip for a group, a club or a travel agency? Discover our receptive & DMC service for golf groups in Marrakech: grouped quote, tee-times, private transfers and a single point of contact.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be able to play golf already to enrol?
No. Riad Vendôme runs golf courses for every level, from complete beginners on the Green Card 5-day programme up to confirmed players seeking technical refinement. When you request a quote, Eric guides you to the format and the coach best suited to your profile.
Will I receive a recognised handicap or Green Card at the end of the course?
Yes. Our PGA France certified coach validates your Green Card following the official criteria of the French Golf Federation (FFG). The Green Card is internationally recognised on most European golf courses. UK and Irish golfers can use it to support their handicap submission to England Golf or Golf Ireland under the World Handicap System (WHS).
How does Marrakech compare to the Algarve or Costa del Sol for a winter golf school?
Marrakech offers 11 championship courses within 30 minutes, ideal climate from October to April (18 to 25 degrees Celsius), green fees 30 to 50 percent below equivalent Algarve or Costa del Sol courses, and a unique combination of golf coaching with authentic medina accommodation rather than a generic resort. Direct flights from London Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, Heathrow, Birmingham and Manchester are 3 to 3.5 hours.
Is there an English-speaking PGA pro available?
Yes. Both our PGA France partner pros speak English fluently. Eric, the owner of Riad Vendôme, is also fluent in English and coordinates the academy programme directly with you.
Do I need to bring my own clubs, or can I rent them?
Bringing your own clubs is recommended for players who already have their preferred set, but it is not required. Club hire is included in the Green Card 5-day course. For the other formats, a full set hire (Callaway, TaylorMade or Titleist) is available at every course for 25 to 43 EUR per session. Eric can arrange delivery of rented clubs directly to the riad.
Can my partner enjoy other activities while I am at the academy?
Absolutely. While you are on the course, your partner can enjoy the riad spa with hammam and massage, the heated rooftop jacuzzi, the swimming pool, a Moroccan cooking class with Chef Naima, an Agafay desert excursion, or a guided medina tour. Eric prepares a parallel programme tailored to non-golfers.
Social proof: Google 4.2/5 (617 reviews) · Booking 8.3/10 · TripAdvisor 4.1/5 · over 500 events organised since 2011.
Le Riad Vendôme is classified by the Moroccan Ministry of Tourism.
See also: Golf Stay Marrakech · Spa & Hammam · Seminar in Marrakech