Little more than 3 hours by air from most Western European cities, Marrakech is the perfect location for a winter golf holiday. It's also nice to escape the hurly-burly of Marrakech for a quiet round during a short break amid beautiful, rural surroundings against the backdrop of the snow-capped Atlas mountains. The climate is perfect, typically 18-23 degrees from November through March, with minimal interruptions from rain, quite a contrast with the European winter! Here we take a brief look at four of our favourite Marrakech golf courses from the current total of six - and there are more on the drawing board! Amelkis Golf Club : situated a stone's throw from the old Royal Club (currently closed for refurbishment) and dating from 1995, this is a 27 hole course (with a final 9 under construction), renowned for its many, often fearsome bunkers and large picturesque water features. Although short on shade, the course is punctuated by palm trees and flowering shrubs and bordered, in part, by some extravagantly stylish villas. There is a driving range and practice area and an evocative, kabash-style clubhouse with bar and restaurant terrace overlooking the 18th. Palmeraie Golf Club : another 27 hole course, designed Robert Trent Jones, this one is situated in the fashionable Palmeraie district 10km north of Marrakech. With its numerous bunkers and lakes, the latter attracting egrets and other water fowl, the 6200 m course is a serious golfing challenge in a scenic location. Run by the former Director of golf at Deauville, the Palmeraie club, with its practice ground and terracing overlooking the 9th and 18th, has an excellent restaurant and lounge bar.