Royal Golf Club, Bahrain

When you think about golf in the Middle East you would be forgiven for thinking only of the famous courses. Such as the Earth course, or the many Dubai courses. However, in the little nation of Bahrain, lies the Royal Golf Club, Bahrain. A jewel in the middle of the desert. A course designed by Colin Montgomerie; it is part of the Troon franchise. It is also the only 18-hole grass course in Bahrain.

Royal Golf Club - The par 5 14th hole. — The par 5 14th hole.

Looking-back-over-the-course-from-the-9th-tee-box-the-green-of-the-course-stands-out-against-the-white-sands-and-the-blue-skies. — Looking back over the course from the 9th tee box the green of the course stands out against the white sands and the blue skies.

*Course layout (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐***☆)

The layout of the course is a nice challenge for all golfers. With a good mix of holes, it keeps you on your toes. Some are drivable par 4’s. Others you will be playing your longest iron for your approach. Knowing your landing areas off the tee is important on a lot of holes and you will definitely benefit from playing the course before.

Par 3’s

The par 3’s include two difficult long holes, one over a ravine, and the over involving water. To hit these greens is a feat in itself. Then you need to manoeuvre the slopes in the greens! The other two par 3’s, although shorter, still require accuracy and distance control.

Par 4’s

The par 4’s have some long holes where you may be reaching for a headcover club after a good drive. If you walk off with par on these, you can be very satisfied. Others you can get close to off the tee. But you need to be accurate and lucky to miss run-offs and avoid a tricky chip.

Royal Golf Club - On the 15th the aim is to be just right of the large tress. A beautiful hole and a tricky one — On the 15th the aim is to be just right of the large tree. A beautiful hole and a tricky one

Royal Golf Club - The 18th with the lake on one side and the driving range on the other is a great finishing hole — The 18th with the lake on one side and the driving range on the other is a great finishing hole

Par 5’s

The par 5’s are not overly hard and with two good shots you can get yourself in a good position to make an easy birdie. However due to the contours and run-offs there is no such thing as an easy up and down. You may go from looking at an easy birdie to all of a sudden having to sink a long par putt.

Royal Golf Club - The run-offs on the greens can turn what you think is a good shot into a tough up and down — The run-offs on the greens can turn what you think is a good shot into a tough up and down

The greens are what I can only call exciting. They all have large contours on them, and the majority are protected by large run-offs. You need to know the pin placements and be able to hit the correct section of the green to leave an easy two putt. Hitting a green in regulation does not mean you have an easy par. If you happen to be in a segment that is not where the pin is you may have a very daunting putt ahead of you. If you love a challenging green, then you will certainly have fun on these!

While-not-quite-as-obvious-as-real-life-the-contours-typical-of-the-greens-can-be-seen-in-this-shot-of-the-16th-green.-Lots-of-slopes-and-interesting-pin-positions. — While not quite as obvious as real life the contours typical of the greens can be seen in this shot of the 16th green. Lots of slopes and interesting pin positions.

Water comes into play mostly on the closing four holes. Avoiding this and hitting the fairways is not easy. If you have a good score going coming into the last four holes you will need every ounce of concentration to keep that going over the remainder of the round!

Course condition *(⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐***☆)

When you stand on the tee and look out over the fairway you are trying to hit, and you see the lines from the mowers, it feels like a course that you would see on any professional tour. The maintenance is extremely good here. Everything from the desert areas to the greens is kept looking beautiful. The vibrant green stands out against the yellow sands of the desert and gives a very professional feel to the course.

The-opening-approach-shot-gives-an-idea-of-some-of-the-contours-that-are-on-the-course. — The opening approach shot gives an idea of some of the contours that are on the course.

Royal Golf Club - The 17th is a slight dog leg right with lots of water to avoid — The 17th is a slight dog leg right with lots of water to avoid

The greens are smooth, difficult to read because of the contours, but strike the ball properly and the roll is perfect. The fairways are amazing, and as mentioned before the cut lines give them a great look.

As-shown-on-the-3rd-fairway-here-the-fairways-are-mown-to-perfection.-The-stripes-add-a-gorgeous-touch-to-the-vibrancy-of-the-green. — As shown on the 3rd fairway here the fairways are mown to perfection. The stripes add a gorgeous touch to the vibrancy of the green.

The course is set in the desert and if you miss the fairways, you will be playing from this. However, like the rest of the course it is cared for, so you never have to worry about damaging a club on some unforgiving rocks or hidden stones.

Royal Golf Club - As can be seen from the view off the 1st tee the desert areas are not extremely punishing. If you mishit and you go in them you easily have a shot out — As can be seen from the view off the 1st tee the desert areas are not extremely punishing. If you mishit and you go in them you easily have a shot out

Facilities (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐☆☆)

The course has a clubhouse for members, but there is also a café beside the putting green for anybody who feels like a coffee, a breakfast, or a beer after their round.

The driving range and putting green is also located here. There is nothing fancy about the range but it’s perfect for warming up on. There is also a par 3 nine-hole course called ‘The Wee Monty’ and this is possible to play as well for a small price.

Royal Golf Club - The driving range and the putting green which are close to the cafe — The driving range and the putting green which are close to the cafe

The pro shop is stocked pretty well and staff there are friendly and welcoming.

The buggies are all equipped with GPS, and hold a rake, icebox, and sand for your divots. Before going out you will find your buggy with your name on so there is no problem with availability of buggies.

Around the course are water points where you can fill up regularly.

Price (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐☆☆☆☆)

At peak times, which is all year except for the summer months, during the weekend the price is $200, which is more or less standard for the Middle East. However, if you play during the weekday it drops to $145.

For the non-peak times the weekend rate is $100, and the weekday rate is $80.

NOTE: Please ensure to check current prices on the club’s website as the above are at time of writing.

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

The course is located in Riffa, which is about 23km heading south from the capital of Manama. It takes about half an hour to drive there from the city.

It is advisable to hire a car if going there as taxis will be expensive unless there is a group of you going.

For the location in Google Maps please click here.

Conclusion

The Royal Golf Club will always be one of my favorite golf courses in the Middle East. It doesn’t have the status of some of the more well-known courses in the region. But in my opinion, it is right up there with the best of them. The course just looks and feels really good. The tricky greens are a real test and can frustrate you very easily. However, get the feel for them and you will really enjoy them.

The last four closing holes are great holes to finish your round. With water and tight landing areas on these holes, to walk away with four closing pars takes a lot of skill and is no easy feat.

Royal Golf Club - The 16th is a long par 3 where you need to avoid the water on the left and bunkers on the right — The 16th is a long par 3 where you need to avoid the water on the left and bunkers on the right

The-view-back-down-the-18th-from-behind-the-green. — The view back down the 18th from behind the green.

When you sink that last putt and look back out over the closing hole and its lake you appreciate the fact that you were lucky enough to be able to spend the day on this beautiful golf course.

OVERALL RATING – (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐☆☆)

Contact Details for Royal Golf Club Bahrain

Website: Click here
Telephone: +973 1775 0777
Email: info@theroyalgolfclub.com

For information about Bahrain please click here.

Hole-by-Hole

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

Hole 1: Par 4, 403yds, index 7

The first hole is a nice sign of what is to come on the course. Your tee shot needs to cut some of the desert area on the left to hit the center of the fairway. Too far left is in the desert and a blind approach shot to the green.

Royal Golf Club - H01A - The ideal line is towards (A) but take care of the desert in (D1) and (D2) — The ideal line is towards (A) but take care of the desert in (D1) and (D2)

With a slight downhill shot to the green, a bank to the left and one short of the green may feed your ball in. The green slopes front to back and is quite long. Bunkers short left and right should be far enough forward to be easy to avoid.

Royal Golf Club - H01B - The view to the first green which slopes front to back — The view to the first green which slopes front to back

Hole 2: Par 3, 187yds, index 15

Not too far into your round, and the golf course brings you to one of the long par 3’s. You need to hit a good confident tee shot onto a green that slopes from back to front. Not only do you need to hit the green but you need to be in the correct location of the pin otherwise your next putt could be in the ravine if you hit it too hard! The miss is to the right. Anything else is in trouble.

Royal Golf Club - H02 - Make sure to have enough club to hit (B), otherwise if short and left of (D) you will be in the ravine — Make sure to have enough club to hit (B), otherwise if short and left of (D) you will be in the ravine

Hole 3: Par 5, 522yds, index 5

The first of the par 5’s and a good birdie chance. You have a good view of the fairway from the tee box. A good line to take is slightly left of the bunker on the mound in the distance. Don’t be too far left as there is water even though it’s a long shot to reach it. Too far right is in the desert area or bunker.

Royal Golf Club - H03A - The safe line is out to (A) but if a long hitter beware of the water at (D1). Alternatively if long take a line to (C) but beware the bunker at (D2) if short — The safe line is out to (A) but if a long hitter beware of the water at (D1). Alternatively if long take a line to (C) but beware the bunker at (D2) if short

Your second is straight up the fairway and with a good shot you can get close. Short is the best miss as being long could bound into shrubs over the green.

Royal Golf Club - H03B - The green is reachable at (A) but watch out for the desert areas at (D1) and (D2) if offline — The green is reachable at (A) but watch out for the desert areas at (D1) and (D2) if offline

Being short leaves you chipping from a collection area at the front.

Royal Golf Club - H03C - If laying up on your second this is your view for your approach — If laying up on your second this is your view for your approach

Hole 4: Par 4, 442yds, index 1

A long par 4 and one which you can be happy to take par on. Try to keep to the left of the fairway with the drive. Anything too far right will catch the desert bunker down the side of the fairway.

Royal Golf Club - H04A - Try to keep to the left side of the fairway at (A) avoiding the desert at (D1) and (D2) — Try to keep to the left side of the fairway at (A) avoiding the desert at (D1) and (D2)

With the approach you need to be mindful of the bunkers short right of the green and a deep bunker on the left of the green.

Royal Golf Club - H04B - Avoid the bunkers short right and left of the green when hitting to (B) — Avoid the bunkers short right and left of the green when hitting to (B)

Hole 5: Par 4, 385yds, index 11

Play a long iron or fairway wood out towards the marker in the fairway. Don’t go too far right of the marker as you may run into a little valley below the landing area. At best from here, you have a blind shot to the green. At worst, you lose your ball. Hitting the marker will leave you a short iron over the valley into the green.

Royal Golf Club - H05A - Try to hit to (A) and avoid the dangers left and right at (D1) and (D2) — Try to hit to (A) and avoid the dangers left and right at (D1) and (D2)

The green again has lots of slopes and your second needs to be an accurate shot making sure to have enough to carry the trouble.

Royal Golf Club - H05B - Make sure to get over the ravine when hitting to the green on your approach — Make sure to get over the ravine when hitting to the green on your approach

Hole 6: Par 4, 387yds, index 13

Left side of the fairway is preferred for the tee shot. It gives you the highest angle coming into the green. There’s a bit of a waste area towards the right side of the fairway that you don’t want to be in. Too far right on the tee shot will put you in trouble off the fairway. The only danger on the approach shot is two bunkers short left of the green.

Royal Golf Club - H06A - Danger left, right and center means you need an accurate tee shot to hit to (A1) or (A2) — Danger left, right and center means you need an accurate tee shot to hit to (A1) or (A2)

Royal Golf Club - H06B - Once you hit the fairway the green is relatively easy to hit — Once you hit the fairway the green is relatively easy to hit

Hole 7: Par 3, 140yds, index 17

A nice short hole on paper however it’s pretty nerve wracking on the tee. You can’t be short or long as there is trouble. If you miss left, you have to contend with a large run-off. Take a line for the pin and hope you have your yardages dialled in!

Royal Golf Club - H07 - Quite a large green but its important to hit the right section the flag is on — Quite a large green but its important to hit the right section the flag is on

Hole 8: Par 4, 441yds, index 3

A long par 4 and in my opinion one of the toughest on the course. Hitting over the lake you need to try to stay on the left of the fairway to leave the shortest route to the green. Too far left however will put you in the desert waste.

Royal Golf Club - H08A - Keep to (A) to leave as short a shot as possible into the green for your second. — Keep to (A) to leave as short a shot as possible into the green for your second.

Even after hitting a good drive you still have a good shot to hit the green. Short left is a bunker waiting to catch your ball and left of the green is another larger bunker. Right of the green is a better miss leaving an uphill chip.

Royal Golf Club - H08B - Avoid the bunker short left and the desert area when hitting your approach to (B) — Avoid the bunker short left and the desert area when hitting your approach to (B)

Hole 9: Par 5, 517yds, index 9

Keeping to the right side of the fairway with your drive will give you the shortest route to the green and the chance to get close in two.

Royal Golf Club - H09A - Just right of the post to (A) leaves a good position for your second shot — Just right of the post to (A) leaves a good position for your second shot

Playing your second you need to be wary of the large bunkers on the right short of the green. Going into these can turn what you thought was a good lay up into a tough par save! There’s a smaller bunker on the short right of the green also.

Royal Golf Club - H09B - Be mindful of the bunkers short left and right of the green (A) if going for it in two — Be mindful of the bunkers short left and right of the green (A) if going for it in two

Royal Golf Club - H09C - A large bunker short right and one on the left are the dangers around the green — A large bunker short right and one on the left are the dangers around the green

Hole 10: Par 4, 308yds, index 16

The tenth hole is one you can get very close to with a good drive. Try to keep the ball on a target line slightly left of the green. If you are short you may end up in the large bunker short right of the green.

Royal Golf Club - H10A - Long hitters can take a punt at the green to (C). Otherwise play safe to (A) off the tee. — Long hitters can take a punt at the green to (C). Otherwise play safe to (A) off the tee.

Alternatively play an iron down the fairway to leave a short iron or wedge in to the green. This one is definitely a scoring hole for the brave.

Royal Golf Club - H10B - The green (B) is protected on the front right by a large bunker — The green (B) is protected on the front right by a large bunker

Hole 11: Par 4, 335yds, index 12

This hole is another one you can get pretty close to off the tee. Hitting the right-hand side of the rough can roll you into the desert area which is not an easy chip up. The safer option off the tee is to take an iron or fairway wood towards the bunker left of the green to leave a nice approach in.

Royal Golf Club - H11A - The line to the green is (C) but the safe play is to (A) — The line to the green is (C) but the safe play is to (A)

The green is protected by a bunker short and two on the left.

Royal Golf Club - H11B - Bunkers to the front and the left protect the green — Bunkers to the front and the left protect the green

Hole 12: Par 3, 136yds, index 18

Another short par 3 and the easiest hole on the course according to the index. It’s only a short iron to the green but don’t be short as you will leave yourself in a large bunker. On the right of the green is another bunker waiting to catch those who venture out there.

Royal Golf Club - H12 - Avoid being short of the green as there is a large bunker there — Avoid being short of the green as there is a large bunker there

Hole 13: Par 5, 569yds, index 8

The first of the back-to-back par 5’s on the back nine. It takes two very good shots to get close to this in two. For the drive try to take a line between the two bunkers in the distance. If really long, then you can go over the mound left of the bunker on the left to leave a shorter shot into the green.

Royal Golf Club - H13A - Its possible to take an aggressive route if a long hitter to (C), otherwise the ideal shot is to (A) — Its possible to take an aggressive route if a long hitter to (C), otherwise the ideal shot is to (A)

Hitting the landing area should allow you to see the green and the line for your next shot. Two bunkers short left and one on the right guard the green.

Royal Golf Club - H13B - With a good drive the green (A) is visible but a long ways away — With a good drive the green (A) is visible but a long ways away

Royal Golf Club - H13C - Two bunkers on the left and one on the right need to be avoided when hitting to the green (B) — Two bunkers on the left and one on the right need to be avoided when hitting to the green (B)

Hole 14: Par 5, 540yds, index 10

A slightly shorter par 5 than the last and in my opinion a bit easier. On the tee shot try to hit to the right of the desert mound which separates this hole from the previous hole.

Royal Golf Club - H14A - Hit to (A) to leave a good visible line into the green — Hit to (A) to leave a good visible line into the green

If going for the green in two, make sure to have enough to carry over the two bunkers in the mound short of the green. It can be a very tricky bunker shot from these if in them. Two other bunkers on the left and one on the right surround the green.

Royal Golf Club - H14B - Its possible to reach the green in two by going for (C), but the safe lay up option is towards (A) — Its possible to reach the green in two by going for (C), but the safe lay up option is towards (A)

The right-hand side of the green also has a huge run-off that will take your ball down the slope if you catch it.

Royal Golf Club - H14C - The view from the green back to the fairway — The view from the green back to the fairway

Hole 15: Par 4, 452yds, index 2

Coming into the final stretch of holes and the scenery gets incredible at this point. The layout really steps up a notch and the course looks even more amazing from the 15^th hole on.

Standing on the 15^th tee you have quite a narrow fairway to hit with a large tree on the left-hand side. There is water on the left and waste ground on the right. The ideal tee-shot here is to hit the right side of the fairway and the mound should kick your ball into the centre.

Royal Golf Club - H15A - Try to leave your shot at (A) to leave a flat approach to the green, right at (D) is trouble — Try to leave your shot at (A) to leave a flat approach to the green, right at (D) is trouble

Your shot to the green will still need to avoid the water left and depending on wind may be a long club. If you get par, take it and run!

Royal Golf Club - H15B - Stay clear of the water left (D) to get close to the green (B) — Stay clear of the water left (D) to get close to the green (B)

Hole 16: Par 3, 217yds, index 14

The second of the long par 3’s, and another challenging hole. Hitting the green here is a good shot. The hole is a long hole, with water on the left-hand side, and bunkers on the right side of the green. If you stay safe of the water and go into the bunker, your next shot could very well be in the water!

Royal Golf Club - H16 - It takes a good shot to hit the green (B) on 16 — It takes a good shot to hit the green (B) on 16

Hole 17: Par 4, 407yds, index 4

This is a slight dog leg to the right with water on the right and waste ground on the left. You can take your drive over the left side of the fairway and then have a short iron to the green.

Royal Golf Club - H17A - Keep your drive just right of the bunker to land at (A) — Keep your drive just right of the bunker to land at (A)

The green has two tiers, and you need to be on the correct one to avoid a hard putt. Coming in from your second shot you will have water to deal with and also a bunker placed in front of the green to catch you if short.

Royal Golf Club - H17B - A large green but important to get to the correct location of the flag — A large green but important to get to the correct location of the flag

Hole 18: Par 4, 411yds, index 6

And onto the last hole of this enjoyable course. Don’t be fooled by the view ahead of you. It may look like an easy fairway to hit, but you need to be aware of the water on your right that comes in towards the middle of fairway if you hit a long drive. Try to keep it hugging the left side of the fairway but to the right of the bunkers.

Royal Golf Club - H18A - Get your tee shot traveling along (A) to have the best chance of missing the water right (D2) — Get your tee shot traveling along (A) to have the best chance of missing the water right (D2)

For your final approach shot, the water catches your eye on your right, as does the lovely waterside bunker down the fairway to the green. It’s a beautiful hole to finish on and using the backstops properly can leave you with a nice look at birdie in front of the gallery.

Bahrain » Royal Golf Club, Bahrain