Winter golf in the sun: Marrakech or Andalusia, where should you go?

In northern Europe, from November to March, golf gets complicated: soggy courses, short days, sometimes courses closed by frost. Many players put their clubs away and start again in spring with a rusty swing. Yet less than four hours' flight from Paris, you can play in the sun all winter. The two main options: Marrakech and Andalusia. Here's how to choose.

Why go and play golf in the sun in winter?

Stopping golf for three or four months means losing part of what you gained during the season. A few days in the sun in the middle of winter let you keep your feel, work hard on one specific point and come home ahead of the game. It's also the best time for a camp: you have time to practice, and you reach spring with a plan.

Marrakech: golf in the sun all winter

Marrakech is about 3 h 30 from Paris by air, with direct flights from most major European cities. In winter, days are often sunny and mild, around 20 °C in the afternoon. Mornings are cool: we start a little later and bring an extra layer. For a month-by-month breakdown, read when to play golf in Marrakech.

For golf, Marrakech offers top-quality courses a few minutes from each other: Al Maaden, Amelkis, Royal Golf de Marrakech, Akenza… (see the guide to Marrakech golf courses). That's where we run most of our winter camps:

• The Signature Trip, at Domaine Lamrah, from October to June, two dates a month, as a weekend or a full week: 18 holes every day, debrief dinner, accommodation, transfers, breakfast and green fees included. See the Signature Trip.
• The coaching camp, tailor-made all year round, 2 to 5 days, on your own or up to 3 players, to work on your game. See the coaching camp.

Andalusia: the Costa del Sol, closer to home

Málaga is about 2 h 30 from Paris by air, and Marbella 45 minutes from the airport. The Costa del Sol has more than 70 courses between Málaga and Gibraltar: it's one of the biggest golf regions in Europe. Winter there is mild, but more changeable than in Marrakech, with more rainy days.

That's why our golf trips with a pro in Andalusia start in April: in spring, the days are long, sunny and ideal for playing every day. To find out more, read why Andalusia is the best golf destination in Spain.

Marrakech or Andalusia: the comparison

• Flight time from Paris: about 3 h 30 to Marrakech, 2 h 30 to Málaga.
• Winter weather: more stable and sunnier in Marrakech; mild but more changeable in Andalusia.
• Best time: October to May in Marrakech; April to June and autumn in Andalusia.
• Our formats: coaching camp all year round and Signature Trip from October to June in Marrakech; golf trips with a pro on fixed dates from April in Andalusia.
• Budget: Marrakech is generally more affordable once you're there. For a line-by-line breakdown, see the budget for a golf trip to Marrakech.

My advice: Marrakech for winter, Andalusia for spring. The two complement each other very well over a season.

Which format for your goal?

• You want to improve: the coaching camp in Marrakech, built around your game.
• You want to play with a pro: the Signature Trip in winter, then the Andalusia trip in spring.
• You're travelling with family or friends: private lessons during your stay, à la carte.

Don't lose the benefit when you get home

The real challenge is coming home. You played well in the sun, then three weeks without touching a club. To keep your progress, the Online Academy gives you the course, the ebooks and a stats tool to track your rounds. Members also get 5 to 15% off camps and private lessons. And if you're in Paris, you can continue with golf lessons in Paris.

Frequently asked questions

Where can you play golf in the sun in winter, close to home?

Marrakech and Andalusia are the two main options, less than 4 hours' flight from Paris. Marrakech has the most stable weather in winter; Andalusia is closer, but more changeable in winter and ideal in spring.

What's the weather like for golf in Marrakech in winter?

Days are often sunny and mild, around 20 °C in the afternoon. Mornings are cool: we start a little later and bring an extra layer.

When should you go on a golf trip to Andalusia?

Spring is the best time. Our golf trips with a pro in Andalusia run from April.

Do the Marrakech camps run all winter?

Yes. The coaching camp is available all year round, and the Signature Trip at Domaine Lamrah runs from October to June, with two dates a month.