Muscat Hills Golf & Country Club, Muscat

NOTE: Muscat Hills Golf & Country Club has since been rebranded since I played it. It is now La Vie Club in Oman and operated by Troon. Not having played the course since the takeover, this review represents how the course was when it was still Muscat Hills Golf & Country Club.

Having played Muscat Hills Golf & Country Club a couple of years ago and not being overly impressed by its condition, I was anxious to see if it had improved on my latest trip there. I had heard stories that it had in fact worsened, and I was a little nervous about playing it. Being the most expensive course in Oman surely it couldn’t be the worst condition….or could it?

Muscat Hills Golf 001 - Muscat Hills has the potential to be a great course as it has a lovely layout — Muscat Hills has the potential to be a great course as it has a lovely layout

Below is my review of Muscat Hills Golf & Country Club.

Course layout (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐☆☆)

First things first, the layout in Muscat Hills is a great layout. It is an 18 hole course that uses the local wadis to perfection on some of its holes. You are hitting over the wadi on three of the par 3s and this makes them great holes to walk away with par on.

Muscat Hills Golf 002 - The par 3 12th hitting over the wadi — The par 3 12th hitting over the wadi

The par 4s vary in length and in design so you can play them different ways. Some allow you to take a lot off a dog leg and get closer for your next shot or else you can play the safe shot but have a longer approach in.

Muscat Hills Golf 003 - You can take a little off the corner of some of the par 4s like the 8th above — You can take a little off the corner of some of the par 4s like the 8th above

The par 5’s are a nice length and all of them are reachable in two with two really good shots. You can get rewarded for going for them, or again you can choose a safe lay up to a preferred yardage.

Muscat Hills Golf 004 - The par 5s are all reachable in two with good shots — The par 5s are all reachable in two with good shots

The course is enjoyable to plan your way around and you can get rewarded for some accurate aggressive play.

Course condition (⭐⭐☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆)

Now this is where Muscat Hills fails in the most dramatic fashion. I honestly have never played a course this expensive in such a bad condition! If I had paid €20 for it back in Ireland I would have been upset! Not to mention that it cost me closer to €120 to actually play here!

The course is in a dire state. Every element of it is degrading and badly maintained. I feel sorry for the staff as before I went out you could see they were all embarrassed about it.

The greens were patchy and looked like they had been carved up with a steel comb. The fairways were spongy and in areas had grass that was 4” long on them.

Muscat Hills Golf 005 - The greens were patchy and in poor condition — The greens were patchy and in poor condition

Muscat Hills Golf 006 - The greens looked like they had been cared for with a steel comb — The greens looked like they had been cared for with a steel comb

Muscat Hills Golf 007 - The fairways had long patches of grass in them — The fairways had long patches of grass in them

Muscat Hills Golf 008 - Some of the grass was extremely long in patches on the fairways — Some of the grass was extremely long in patches on the fairways

The bunkers were uncared for and hadn’t been raked in weeks by the looks of them. The rough had grass cuttings left there and was untidy. In places you couldn’t tell the fairways from the rough it was that bad.

Muscat Hills Golf 009 - The bunkers were badly cared for and unraked — The bunkers were badly cared for and unraked

Muscat Hills Golf 010 - The cut trimmings were left in the rough — The cut trimmings were left in the rough

Muscat Hills Golf 011 - Is this fairway or first cut of rough, its hard to tell — Is this fairway or first cut of rough, its hard to tell

Cart paths were covered in mud which had been washed onto them by previous rainfalls, and in some places the puddles on the cart paths had gone so stagnant that algae was covering them.

This place needs to be sorted out with maintenance otherwise in a year it will no longer exist.

Facilities (⭐⭐⭐☆☆☆☆☆☆☆)

The facilities were a little better but not much. The changing rooms are located in a bit of an alley below the clubhouse and although clean were not sufficiently stocked with necessary items.

To get a coffee in the morning wasn’t possible as the restaurant staff hadn’t turned up yet but to be fair to them they brought it out to me on the course when they did eventually turn up.

Buggies were petrol buggies and extremely jumpy, sometimes it took them a few jumps to actually start. The GPS was deactivated on them but luckily I was prepared with my notes beforehand. However, according to their advertisements all buggies are fitted with GPS.

There is a range on site and to be honest this is fine for warming up on. The grass is not good but you’re hitting from mats so I wasn’t concerned with this.

Muscat Hills Golf 012 - The driving range in Muscat Hills — The driving range in Muscat Hills

The putting green however left a lot to be desired and was a sign of what was to come on the course.

Muscat Hills Golf 013 - The putting green on the course — The putting green on the course

Price (⭐⭐☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆)

The price is in a word, robbery! The only way I could book was through an online system and this charged me €120 to book. This is the most expensive course in Oman, even more than the stunning Al Mouj Golf!

If you plan on playing here, then just turn up and see what the rate is as what is quoted online is way too much for a course of this standard.

Setting & Course location (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐☆☆☆)

The location itself is good, being only 20 minutes from the centre of Muscat along the Muscat Expressway, and 15 minutes from the airport.

For the location on Google Maps please click here.

Conclusion

Unless something drastic happens to Muscat Hills Golf & Country Club in the near future then I absolutely could not recommend anyone playing it. While it has a great layout and lots of potential, this isn’t enough to paper over the disgraceful condition of the course.

Muscat Hills Golf 014 - Some really interesting holes are let down by a lack of maintenance to the course — Some really interesting holes are let down by a lack of maintenance to the course

Could I have enjoyed my round if the place was in good condition? Absolutely! I would have loved it as some of the holes are really well designed. Is it possible to enjoy it in its current state? Not for me I’m afraid. Muscat Hills Golf & Country Club has let itself down in a big way.

OVERALL RATING – (⭐⭐⭐⭐☆☆☆☆☆☆)

Contact Details for Muscat Hills Golf & Country Club, Muscat

Website: Click here
Telephone: +968 2451 4080
Email: booking@muscatgolf.com

Hole-by-Hole

All distances from the blue tees which I played from. Indexes are men’s indexes.

Hole 1: Par 4, 399yds, index 9

The opening hole is a pretty straight forward hole. Just hit out to the middle of the fairway taking a line to the left of the bunker in front of the green to leave yourself a nice shot in. There is a bunker short right of the green so make sure to get over this on your approach in.

Muscat Hills Golf H01A - Hit out to the middle of the fairway (A) left of the bunker on the right — Hit out to the middle of the fairway (A) left of the bunker on the right

Muscat Hills Golf H01B - You may need to carry half of the bunker in front of the green to hit (B) — You may need to carry half of the bunker in front of the green to hit (B)

Hole 2: Par 5, 481yds, index 3

This is a reachable par 5 but it is all uphill. Your drive needs to be careful of going too far right as it is OOB. Take a line out right of the fairway bunkers to leave a nice line in. If going for it on your second you need to be sure you can carry all the bunkers. Otherwise take a line left of these up the fairway. For your approach you still need to make sure you hit it well to carry the bunkers in front of the green.

Muscat Hills Golf H02A - Hit slightly over the palm trees to reach (A) in the fairway — Hit slightly over the palm trees to reach (A) in the fairway

Muscat Hills Golf H02B - If confident of carrying all the bunkers to reach the green go for (C), if you prefer a lay up take a line to (A) — If confident of carrying all the bunkers to reach the green go for (C), if you prefer a lay up take a line to (A)

Muscat Hills Golf H02C - The green is uphill and bunkers in front so club enough to get to (B) — The green is uphill and bunkers in front so club enough to get to (B)

Hole 3: Par 3, 174yds, index 15

This is the first of the par 3s over the wadis. Make sure to get up there as being short is a tough chip up to the green. Stay to the right hand side of the green to make sure you don’t hit the bunker short left.

Muscat Hills Golf H03 - The safe shot is to the right hand side of (B) to avoid the bunker left — The safe shot is to the right hand side of (B) to avoid the bunker left

Hole 4: Par 5, 511yds, index 13

A pretty straight forward par 5, just hit to the brow of the hill and you will be left with a straight line to the green from there. The only danger here is a bunker short left which you also need to worry about for your approach if you have just laid up.

Muscat Hills Golf H04A - The line to the middle of the fairway is to (A) — The line to the middle of the fairway is to (A)

Muscat Hills Golf H04B - If going for it or laying up take a line to (A). — If going for it or laying up take a line to (A).

Muscat Hills Golf H04C - Theres a bunker on the left but hit to (A) and you'll be fine — Theres a bunker on the left but hit to (A) and you’ll be fine

Hole 5: Par 4, 471yds, index 1

This hole is quite a long par 4 and turns very slightly to the left. Hit out making sure to stay on the left side of the path you see on the right hand side. The green has two bunkers short right of the green so make sure to avoid these coming in.

Muscat Hills Golf H05A - Hit just right of the palm trees (A) to take the shortest route for your next shot — Hit just right of the palm trees (A) to take the shortest route for your next shot

Muscat Hills Golf H05B - Two bunkers in front protect the green (B) — Two bunkers in front protect the green (B)

Hole 6: Par 4, 341yds, index 7

This hole is the first of the ones where you think you can make it shorter by taking a more aggressive line. If going with driver aim just right of the greenside bunkers. If taking a safe shot out aim towards those bunkers to hit the widest part of the fairway. Your approach looks shorter than it is from where you are taking the shot so make sure and walk up to the green to see the lie of the land. It’s easy to leave it short on the second shot.

Muscat Hills Golf H06A - Lay up to (A) with a fairway wood or iron or take a more aggressive approach to (C) to make the hole shorter — Lay up to (A) with a fairway wood or iron or take a more aggressive approach to (C) to make the hole shorter

Muscat Hills Golf H06B - Theres a lot more carry than you think to get to (B) so dont be afraid of it — Theres a lot more carry than you think to get to (B) so dont be afraid of it

Hole 7: Par 3, 164yds, index 17

Another par 3 over the wadi and by no means any easier than the last one. Just be mindful of the bunkers short and on the right when teeing off and make sure to club enough to get up there.

Muscat Hills Golf H07 - Bunkers protect this green on the right so take care when hitting to (B) — Bunkers protect this green on the right so take care when hitting to (B)

Hole 8: Par 4, 398yds, index 5

Long players can take a line over the corner for this one to leave a nice simple approach shot in. Shorter players can go straight down the middle where there’s lots of room. Just stay left of the bunker and there are no issues. A bunker on the right protects the green so stay left of this and it’s not that hard to hit.

Muscat Hills Golf H08A - Take a driver out over the corner to (C) or a shorter club to (A) — Take a driver out over the corner to (C) or a shorter club to (A)

Muscat Hills Golf H08B - A bunker on the right is the only worry about not hitting (B) — A bunker on the right is the only worry about not hitting (B)

Hole 9: Par 4, 416yds, index 11

This one is quite long and it’s uphill which makes it longer. Thread your drive between the two groups of fairway bunkers on the fairway and you’ll leave yourself a nice position to come in. Being uphill you may need to club more for your approach and make sure to avoid the bunker on the right side of the green.

Muscat Hills Golf H09A - The ideal line is between the two groups of fairway bunkers to (A) — The ideal line is between the two groups of fairway bunkers to (A)

Muscat Hills Golf H09B - Theres a bunker on the right to watch out for when going for (B) — Theres a bunker on the right to watch out for when going for (B)

Hole 10: Par 4, 362yds, index 12

The line here is to the right of the palm trees on the left side of the fairway. Take care of the wind if you’re a long hitter as if it’s with you it may be better to take a shorter club. There is a wadi between the fairway and the green which may be reachable. Your approach shot can be tricky as the green is slightly below you with a bunker on the left and one on the right.

Muscat Hills Golf H10A - Down to the right of the palm trees to (A) leaves you a good line for your approach — Down to the right of the palm trees to (A) leaves you a good line for your approach

Muscat Hills Golf H10B - This can be a tricky green to hit to (B) — This can be a tricky green to hit to (B)

Hole 11: Par 4, 385yds, index 4

The fairway slopes quite a bit right to left on this hole so stay on the right hand side when driving out there. You should easily carry the bunker you will be aiming over so don’t worry about it. On your approach there is a bunker on the left and due to the slopes in the fairway you may draw the ball so stay out right.

Muscat Hills Golf H11A - Hit to (A) to take the ideal line to the fairway — Hit to (A) to take the ideal line to the fairway

Muscat Hills Golf H11B - Avoid the bunker on the left when hitting to (B) — Avoid the bunker on the left when hitting to (B)

Hole 12: Par 3, 157yds, index 14

This is the last of the wadi par 3s and is as good as the others. There is a bunker just over the wadi so if you drop short of the green but are over the wadi you may be in this. Stay to the right hand side of the green to have more chance of hitting it.

Muscat Hills Golf H12 - A lovely little par 3 and your danger here is the wadi — A lovely little par 3 and your danger here is the wadi

Hole 13: Par 5, 437yds, index 6

This is another par 5 that will reward you for two good shots. Hit out just left of the palm trees on the right of the fairway to leave yourself a good chance of hitting the green in two. You can go for it or lay up with your next and the line is the same. There is a bunker short left of the green and one short right so you need to go between these on your approach.

Muscat Hills Golf H13A - Out to (A) leaves you perfect for your next shot — Out to (A) leaves you perfect for your next shot

Muscat Hills Golf H13B - Take aim to (A) whether going for it or laying up — Take aim to (A) whether going for it or laying up

Muscat Hills Golf H13C - A bunker left and one right protect the green — A bunker left and one right protect the green

Hole 14: Par 3, 155yds, index 18

This par 3 is the only one not over a wadi and is relatively simple compared to the others. There is a bunker short left here but stay to the right hand side of the green to avoid this and there will be no problems.

Muscat Hills Golf H14 - The main concern on this hole is the bunker short left — The main concern on this hole is the bunker short left

Hole 15: Par 4, 399yds, index 2

If you’re short or playing safe then the shot here is straight out the middle. By being adventurous you can take a lot off it by taking a line to the palms trees in the distance. If staying short there is a bunker on the left of the fairway so take care of this. There is also a bunker in the middle of the fairway if going slightly right of centre. The green is protected by a few bunkers so take a look and see where these are when hitting in.

Muscat Hills Golf H15A - Make this one shorter by hitting a driver to (C) or take a safe club out to (A) — Make this one shorter by hitting a driver to (C) or take a safe club out to (A)

Muscat Hills Golf H15B - There are bunkers around the green here which may catch you when hitting to (B) — There are bunkers around the green here which may catch you when hitting to (B)

Hole 16: Par 5, 528yds, index 8

The tee shot here is slightly uphill but the fairway isn’t that hard to hit. For your approach the green is slightly below you and slopes a bit from right to left so you may draw it. Take care of the bunker on the left if going for it. If you have laid up then you need to avoid the same bunker and also a smaller one on the right side.

Muscat Hills Golf H16A - Minimise the dog leg by taking a line to (A) — Minimise the dog leg by taking a line to (A)

Muscat Hills Golf H16B - Watch the bunker left if going for it, even if laying up the line is the same to (A) — Watch the bunker left if going for it, even if laying up the line is the same to (A)

Muscat Hills Golf H16C - A bunker left and a smaller one right need to be avoided when hitting to (B) — A bunker left and a smaller one right need to be avoided when hitting to (B)

Hole 17: Par 4, 395yds, index 16

You can be really aggressive on this one and go out over the left palm tree on the right to get closer to this with a long drive. Otherwise go out the middle if you are a short hitter or just laying up. There are two bunkers around the green here, one short left and the other one on the right.

Muscat Hills Golf H17A - Again you can shorten this one by going to (C) or the safe shot is a fairway wood or iron to (A) — Again you can shorten this one by going to (C) or the safe shot is a fairway wood or iron to (A)

Muscat Hills Golf H17B - Take care of the bunker short left when hitting to (B) — Take care of the bunker short left when hitting to (B)

Hole 18: Par 4, 400yds, index 10

The last hole is probably the only one where water really comes into play. If you are long then take a fairway wood or long iron down towards the lake. If you want to be aggressive you can aim left of the lake but the fairway is very narrow here. Your approach shot also has to be mindful of a pond right of the green so take care of this when hitting in.

Oman » Muscat Hills Golf & Country Club, Muscat