Morocco golf packing list: 10 things to bring, and why
- 09 October 2026
For a golf trip to Morocco, the things that catch people out are not the clubs: they are the paperwork and the rules. Pack a passport with enough validity, a handicap certificate (several courses set a maximum and ask for proof), soft-spike shoes, clothing that meets the dress codes, a warm layer for cold mornings, and some cash in dirhams for caddies. Here is the full list, with the course rules and climate figures behind each item.
The checklist at a glance
| Item | Why it matters in Morocco |
|---|---|
| 1. Passport and travel insurance | UK: valid at least 3 months after arrival; Ireland: 6 months from entry, Passport Card not accepted |
| 2. Handicap certificate | Maximums of 18 to 36 depending on the course, with proof asked for at reception |
| 3. Soft-spike golf shoes | Metal studs are forbidden at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam; no club we checked lists shoe hire |
| 4. Dress-code clothing | Collarless tops, tracksuits, sports shorts and jeans are banned at named courses |
| 5. A warm layer | Marrakech averages 5.9°C at night in January |
| 6. Sun protection | Marrakech averages 29.4°C in May and 32.5°C in September |
| 7. Cash in dirhams | Caddies at Royal Golf Marrakech and the Fairmont Royal Palm are paid in cash |
| 8. Prescription medicines | UK advice is to bring enough for the whole trip |
| 9. A water bottle and snacks | Refill where the club allows |
| 10. Chargers, a power bank and a travel adapter | For a GPS app or rangefinder over a full day out |
1. Passport, insurance and the entry stamp
The UK Foreign Office says your passport must have an expiry date at least 3 months after the date you arrive, and that it must not be damaged: Moroccan authorities have turned away travellers with damaged passports. Make sure the border officer stamps it on arrival, as some travellers have had trouble leaving without an entry stamp. British visitors can stay up to 90 days for tourism without a visa. For Irish travellers, the Department of Foreign Affairs advises at least 6 months of validity from the date of entry and warns that the Passport Card is not accepted.
Pack proof of travel insurance too. The Foreign Office advises cover for medical treatment and repatriation, and insurance that covers your itinerary and planned activities, which for a golfer means your clubs and the golf itself.
2. Your handicap certificate
Moroccan courses do ask. These limits are published by the clubs:
| Course | Handicap rule |
|---|---|
| Royal Golf Dar Es Salam, Red course | Under 18 |
| Royal Golf Dar Es Salam, Blue course | Under 28 |
| Fairmont Royal Palm, Marrakech | Valid licence and handicap of 28 or better |
| Assoufid Golf Club, Marrakech | Maximum 35; certificate shown at reception before paying |
| Golf de Mogador, Essaouira | Official handicap under 36; proof required before teeing off |
Carry a printed certificate or your membership card rather than relying on your phone. If you are planning a round on the Red at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam, check your handicap index is below 18 before you book. Our guide to handicap, dress code and caddies covers the rules course by course.
3. Soft-spike shoes you have already worn in
Royal Golf Dar Es Salam allows soft spikes only and forbids metal studs. None of the price lists we checked offers shoe hire, so your shoes have to come with you even if you hire clubs. Bring a pair you have already played in: a week of daily rounds is no time to break in new shoes. A spare pair of socks in the bag earns its place.
Packing for a golf week in Marrakech? We build the trip to measure: courses, tee times, accommodation and transfers.
4. Clothing that meets the dress codes
Several clubs publish a dress code:
- Royal Golf Dar Es Salam: appropriate golf dress required; jogging suits, tracksuits, jeans and short shorts are forbidden.
- Atlas Golf: tank tops with no collar, tracksuits and sports shorts are prohibited.
- Assoufid Golf Club: proper golf attire is mandatory for every player except children under 10, and an improperly dressed golfer will be asked to change before playing.
In practice: collared shirts, tailored golf trousers or shorts, and a belt. Pack one smarter outfit for the clubhouse or dinner as well.
5. A warm layer, whatever the season
Morocco’s sunshine reputation hides cold mornings. These are the official 1991-2020 averages from the World Meteorological Organization, daytime high and night-time low:
| Station | January | April | July | October |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marrakech | 19.1°C / 5.9°C | 25.7°C / 12.4°C | 37.7°C / 20.6°C | 28.5°C / 15.7°C |
| Agadir | 21.2°C / 8.4°C | 23.2°C / 14.1°C | 26.7°C / 19.2°C | 26.1°C / 16.7°C |
| Essaouira | 18.4°C / 11.1°C | 19.5°C / 14.1°C | 21.9°C / 17.7°C | 22.2°C / 17.0°C |
| Rabat | 17.4°C / 7.2°C | 21.2°C / 10.9°C | 27.2°C / 17.9°C | 24.8°C / 14.4°C |
| Ifrane | 9.4°C / −1.0°C | 15.4°C / 4.1°C | 30.3°C / 15.2°C | 19.3°C / 7.8°C |
A winter tee time in Marrakech can start not far above 6°C and finish in the high teens, so a windproof or a light jumper is essential from November to March. On the coast at Essaouira the days stay mild all year, but bring a windproof. In Ifrane, in the Middle Atlas, January nights average below freezing: a proper jacket if you plan to play there in winter.
6. Sun protection
From May to September Marrakech averages a high of 29.4°C or more, reaching 37.7°C in July. Pack high-factor sun cream that will not make your grips slippery, a lip balm with sun protection, a cap or a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses you can play in. Reapply at the turn.
7. Cash in dirhams for caddies
At Royal Golf Marrakech a forecaddie has been compulsory since 28 May 2025 and is paid in cash, directly to the caddie. At the Fairmont Royal Palm, at least one caddie per group was required, at 200 MAD a round, also paid in cash (2025-26 rate card; club website offline on 16 October 2026). The Moroccan dirham is a closed currency, which the Foreign Office says cannot easily be exchanged outside Morocco, so plan to draw or change money on arrival rather than at home.
8. Prescription medicines
The Foreign Office advises bringing an adequate supply of any UK prescription medication for the whole trip, and notes that the legal status of some medicines can differ abroad. Keep them in your hand luggage with a copy of the prescription. Add plasters for blisters and any back or knee support you normally use: a week of daily rounds asks more of the body than a weekly fourball.
9. A water bottle and something to eat
A refillable insulated bottle of a litre or more and a couple of snacks will keep your concentration going over the closing holes.
10. Chargers, a power bank and a travel adapter
A GPS app, a rangefinder and a phone used for photos will drain over a full day out. Pack a power bank, your chargers and a travel adapter. One item to leave at home unless you have done the paperwork: a drone. The Foreign Office says you need permission from Morocco’s Directorate General for Civil Aviation to fly one.
And the clubs?
Whether to bring your own set or hire on site depends on your airline and how many rounds you play. Our guide to flying to Morocco with golf clubs covers bag fees and weight limits. If you are building a week in Marrakech, our golf holidays in Marrakech use one base and a different course each day, with transfers between your accommodation and the courses arranged for you.
Bag packed and dates in mind? We build the trip to measure: courses, tee times, accommodation and transfers.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a handicap certificate to play golf in Morocco?
On many courses, yes. Royal Golf Dar Es Salam requires a handicap under 18 for the Red course and under 28 for the Blue, the Fairmont Royal Palm 28 or better (club website offline on 16 October 2026), Assoufid a maximum of 35 with a certificate shown at reception, and Golf de Mogador under 36 with proof before teeing off.
What should I wear for golf in Morocco?
Traditional golf dress: collared shirts and tailored trousers or shorts. Royal Golf Dar Es Salam bans tracksuits, jeans and short shorts, Atlas Golf bans collarless tank tops and sports shorts, and Assoufid asks improperly dressed golfers to change.
Is it cold for golf in Morocco in winter?
Mornings can be. Marrakech averages 19.1°C by day but 5.9°C at night in January, so early tee times start cool. Pack a windproof or a light jumper from November to March.
Do I need cash for caddies in Morocco?
Yes, at several courses. Royal Golf Marrakech and the Fairmont Royal Palm ask for caddies to be paid in cash, directly to the caddie. The dirham is a closed currency, so get cash on arrival.
How long must my passport be valid for Morocco?
For British passport holders, at least 3 months after the date you arrive, according to the UK Foreign Office. Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs advises at least 6 months from the date of entry for Irish passports.
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