Ghala Golf Club, Muscat

Standing on the top of the 4^th tee box of Ghala Golf Club looking out over the mountain ranges in the background you can’t help but admire the view. Your gaze then drifts down to the fairway below nestled in the valley before you, and you wonder what the chances are of hitting it. You have played three pretty forgiving holes but now the challenge really starts! From here in it is narrow fairways with tight tee-shots. This is where the fun really begins!

Ghala Golf Club 001 - Ghala Golf Club is set in a beautiful location with the Hajjar Mountains as its backdrop — Ghala Golf Club is set in a beautiful location with the Hajjar Mountains as its backdrop

Welcome to Ghala Golf Club, Muscat.

Course layout (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐☆☆)

The layout of the course may feel a little straight to some people but I thought it was suited to the valleys of the area. You needed to be straight on the course due to the small width of the fairways.

The par 3’s are nice holes and range in distance. From the 180 yard 15^th to the 147 yard second they are a good test. Especially the 5^th with its tricky green!

Ghala Golf Club 002 - The view to the green on the par 3 12th hole — The view to the green on the par 3 12th hole

If you are hitting your driver straight and long then the par 4’s are quite easy to work out. There are not a lot of dog legs and most are relatively straight. There are bunkers placed in catchment areas but longer hitters should clear them easily. What can catch you though is the narrowness of the fairways. Being long is one thing, being accurate is another!

Ghala Golf Club 003 - Being straight is key on the par 4s as shown on the tee box of the 7th hole above — Being straight is key on the par 4s as shown on the tee box of the 7th hole above

The par 5’s are long holes, and it takes two good shots to get to them. They don’t have a lot of trouble on them apart from their length so if you are happy to play them in regulation then they are not too challenging if you can keep it straight.

Ghala Golf Club 004 - There isnt a lot of obstacles on the par 5s except for length — There isnt a lot of obstacles on the par 5s except for length

All in all, even though the layout is a little straight, because of the narrowness of the fairways the course is still a good challenge and if you play if often it would definitely fine tune your driver accuracy skills!

Course condition (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐☆)

One thing you could definitely not fault the course on was the condition. It was absolutely pristine! From the tee boxes to the fairways and the greens, everything was in top notch condition. The greens had a lovely smooth roll to them and were nice and fast. The fairways were beautiful to hit from.

Ghala Golf Club 005 - The tee boxes are mown nicely and landscaped around them — The tee boxes are mown nicely and landscaped around them

Ghala Golf Club 007 - The fairways were manicured and lovely to hit from — The fairways were manicured and lovely to hit from

The off course areas in the desert had been raked and looked immaculate also. The bunkers had the right amount of sand and the edges were trimmed nicely to give a defined look to them.

Ghala Golf Club 006 - The greens were nice and fast and the bunkers were perfect — The greens were nice and fast and the bunkers were perfect

Even though the fairways are narrow, the off-course desert areas are easy to find your ball in which is good for those that are having a bad day with the driver. In my opinion it makes it more enjoyable as no-one wants to spend their time looking for balls when playing a course.

Ghala Golf Club 008 - The off course desert areas were raked and easy to find a ball on — The off course desert areas were raked and easy to find a ball on

Ghala Golf Club is a course in really top notch condition!

Facilities (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐☆☆☆☆)

Ghala Golf Club has a restaurant where you can enjoy a meal after your round and a nice sitting area overlooking the 18^th green outside. This was nice to relax on after the round.

Ghala Golf Club 009 - The decking at the clubhouse was nice to sit on and watch anyone coming into the final green — The decking at the clubhouse was nice to sit on and watch anyone coming into the final green

For practice there is a chipping green and a putting green and also a driving range. The driving range only goes to about 200 yards so don’t go mad with your driver on this. For loosening up with a mid iron it’s perfect though.

Ghala Golf Club 010 - The chipping and putting greens in the golf club — The chipping and putting greens in the golf club

The buggies were provided with water and were in good condition. Bear in mind that you need to pay OMR5 for the use of the buggy for 18 holes.

Price (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐☆☆)

With the highest price being OMR40 which is peak time weekend rates, Ghala is worth every penny of it. On weekdays or off-peak times you can get it for cheaper which is even better. The condition of the course makes for an enjoyable round alone and the fact there are some nice scenic and memorable holes makes it all more worthwhile.

To check the current rates please click here.

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

Being only 10 minutes from Muscat centre and 15 minutes from the airport Ghala Golf Club is in a great location. You will never have too far to drive to get there and it is just off the main Muscat Expressway so it is easy to find.

The setting the golf course is in is beautiful with the rocky hills surrounding the first few holes on the course.

For the location on Google Maps please click here.

Conclusion

Ghala Golf Club is a course that you will be disappointed to miss if you don’t play it while in Muscat. It is great value for the condition it is in, and the holes really get interesting after the 3^rd hole. Some of the holes are memorable and you will look forward to coming back to play them again.

Ghala Golf Club 011 - The condition of the course made it extremely enjoyable to play — The condition of the course made it extremely enjoyable to play

The ease of getting there and of finding your way around the course was a bonus and helped to increase the enjoyment of the round.

The staff I met at the course were friendly and polite and made me feel welcome which is sometimes underestimated when you visit a course.

Ghala Golf Club 012 - The final approach shot of the day coming in over the lake beside the clubhouse — The final approach shot of the day coming in over the lake beside the clubhouse

The only thing I didn’t like about the golf course was the power cables that seemed to be everywhere on the 3^rd and 4^th holes but these are a necessary evil and you will just have to live with them.

In conclusion, Ghala is a course you should definitely play if visiting Muscat!

OVERALL RATING – (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐☆☆)

Contact Details for Ghala Golf Club, Muscat

Website: Click here
Telephone: +968 9219 4957
Email: golf@ghalagolf.com

Hole-by-Hole

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

Hole 1: Par 4, 372yds, index 5

For your first tee shot try to aim between the OOB on the left side and the bunker on the right to leave yourself on the fairway. Right of the bunker is desert so avoid this. Coming in on your approach you need to again be mindful that too far left is OOB and there is a bunker on the right of the green.

Ghala Golf Club H01A - Avoid the danger at (E1) and (E2) and the OOB at (D) to hit (A) — Avoid the danger at (E1) and (E2) and the OOB at (D) to hit (A)

Ghala Golf Club H01B - Danger left with OOB (D) and right with a bunker (E) on your approach shot — Danger left with OOB (D) and right with a bunker (E) on your approach shot

Hole 2: Par 3, 147yds, index 17

The second isn’t overly long and if you can hit your tee shot between the two bunkers, one short and one right, then you have a chance of feeding down towards the hole.

Ghala Golf Club H02 - A couple of bunkers protect the green (B) — A couple of bunkers protect the green (B)

Hole 3: Par 5, 518yds, index 15

A very similar tee shot to the first hole but with a bit of a wider landing zone. Again hit between the OOB on the left and the bunker on the right. Don’t be too far right to avoid the desert again. Long hitters can go for the green on the next but the other option is a lay up on the right hand side of the fairway. The approach shot may be coming in over a bunker but there is a good distance between this and the green so it shouldn’t cause an issue.

Ghala Golf Club H03A - You need to be accurate to stay away from the danger on the left (D) and the right (E1) and (E2) — You need to be accurate to stay away from the danger on the left (D) and the right (E1) and (E2)

Ghala Golf Club H03B - If you're going for it take a line to (C) otherwise lay up to (A) — If you’re going for it take a line to (C) otherwise lay up to (A)

Ghala Golf Club H03C - Your approach to (B) will be coming in over a bunker but its not close to the green — Your approach to (B) will be coming in over a bunker but its not close to the green

Hole 4: Par 5, 538yds, index 3

Finding the tee box here may be tricky but look for the path on your left after you leave the green and go up the hill. From here you have a good vantage point of the hole below. Take care of drifting left or right as from this height it will drift more. For the second stick to the right hand side of the fairway to leave a nice open green for your approach shot in.

Ghala Golf Club H04A - Hitting down into the valley take care of the dangers (D) and (E) — Hitting down into the valley take care of the dangers (D) and (E)

Ghala Golf Club H04B - Most of the trouble is left here with (D) and (E) so hit the right side of the fairway — Most of the trouble is left here with (D) and (E) so hit the right side of the fairway

Ghala Golf Club H04C - The green (B) becomes easier to hit on the third shot — The green (B) becomes easier to hit on the third shot

Hole 5: Par 3, 166yds, index 9

This is a tough green to hit and to score on. It’s a tiered green and being above the hole is dangerous. With bunkers protecting the right hand side you need to be accurate with your iron here. Take aim and if you walk away with a par be very happy!

Ghala Golf Club H05 - A really tricky green to hold (B) and you need to hit the right tier — A really tricky green to hold (B) and you need to hit the right tier

Hole 6: Par 4, 373yds, index 13

This looks like a wide fairway from the tee but there is a bunker on the left hand side which may catch you if long. Try to keep to the right hand side of the fairway to avoid this. Your approach has to deal with a bunker short right but other than this no danger.

Ghala Golf Club H06A - Hitting to (A) will thread you through the bunker (E1) and the desert (E2) — Hitting to (A) will thread you through the bunker (E1) and the desert (E2)

Ghala Golf Club H06B - A bunker short right but other than this no danger around the green (B) — A bunker short right but other than this no danger around the green (B)

Hole 7: Par 4, 375yds, index 11

This is the first of a batch of holes where you need to be really accurate with your driver! Hit it straight down between the trees and you’ll find the fairway no problem. The approach isn’t long but there are two bunkers on the left and one on the right side of the green.

Ghala Golf Club H07A - A tight fairway to hit at (A) but aim between the two sets of trees — A tight fairway to hit at (A) but aim between the two sets of trees

Ghala Golf Club H07B - Once on the fairway take a line between the bunkers to hit to (B) — Once on the fairway take a line between the bunkers to hit to (B)

Hole 8: Par 4, 414yds, index 1

Another narrow tee shot and you need to thread this one on a line down towards the tree you can see in the fairway ahead. Depending on where you land on the fairway you may have a few lone standing trees in your line but you should be able to get over them as you’ll be far enough back. There is one bunker at the back of the green which shouldn’t cause you any issues.

Ghala Golf Club H08A - Another narrow fairway here means more accuracy to hit (A) — Another narrow fairway here means more accuracy to hit (A)

Ghala Golf Club H08B - You may be coming in over a tree to hit the green (B) on your second — You may be coming in over a tree to hit the green (B) on your second

Hole 9: Par 4, 372yds, index 7

This tee shot is a little more open than the previous two but you still need to be on the right line. Try to hit it just left of the tree in the fairway and you should be fine. You’ll have a bunker on the right of the green to contend with for your approach. You may have low single trees again in your line but you’ll be far enough behind to get over them.

Ghala Golf Club H09A - Stay to the left of the tree in the fairway to hit (A) — Stay to the left of the tree in the fairway to hit (A)

Ghala Golf Club H09B - A small bunker on the right protects this side of the green — A small bunker on the right protects this side of the green

Hole 10: Par 4, 352yds, index 12

There are two options available to you for this tee shot. You can take a fairway wood out to the safe part of the fairway, or take a driver if long on a more direct route to cut a lot off the hole. Just be wary of the driving range on your right if you do this. The approach shot has a bunker short left of the green and one on the back to avoid.

Ghala Golf Club H10A - You can be aggressive here and take a lot off it to (C) but watch the OOB right (D), or be safe to (A) — You can be aggressive here and take a lot off it to (C) but watch the OOB right (D), or be safe to (A)

Ghala Golf Club H10B - Theres a bunker on the back and short left of the green (B) — Theres a bunker on the back and short left of the green (B)

Hole 11: Par 4, 370yds, index 8

Hit your tee shot here straight out to the right of the tree you can see on the left of the fairway. The approach shot needs to carry two bunkers in the front of the green so club enough to get over these.

Ghala Golf Club H11A - Stay right of the tree in the fairway to hit (A) — Stay right of the tree in the fairway to hit (A)

Ghala Golf Club H11B - Bunkers protect the front of the green so club enough to get to (B) — Bunkers protect the front of the green so club enough to get to (B)

Hole 12: Par 3, 162yds, index 18

This is a nice little par 3 and you need to make sure to avoid a bunker short left of the green, one on the right of the green and one on the back.

Ghala Golf Club H12 - Your safe landing zone is between the bunkers at (B) — Your safe landing zone is between the bunkers at (B)

Hole 13: Par 5, 555yds, index 4

This is a daunting tee shot when you’re standing on the tee as it’s so far back you can barely see the fairway! However, just take a line out towards the tree you can see in the fairway and you should be ok. It’s doubtful you can reach this one in two as it’s a long hole but if laying up you need to watch two bunkers in your catchment area. There’s one on each side of the fairway. Your approach shot needs to be careful of a bunker short right of the green. Technically the hole isn’t hard but its length makes it so.

Ghala Golf Club H13A - Hard to see the fairway from the tee here but your target is the tree close to (A) — Hard to see the fairway from the tee here but your target is the tree close to (A)

Ghala Golf Club H13B - Two bunkers wait in your catchment area above so you need to hit down the middle towards (A) — Two bunkers wait in your catchment area above so you need to hit down the middle towards (A)

Ghala Golf Club H13C - A bunker right of this green so to be safe hit the left side of the green — A bunker right of this green so to be safe hit the left side of the green

Hole 14: Par 4, 377yds, index 16

This hole again can be made shorter by long hitters if they take a line over the bunker on the right of the fairway. Otherwise take a fairway wood out to the left hand side to be safe. The green has two bunkers in front, one on the left and one on the back so take care of these when coming in.

Ghala Golf Club H14A - Long hitters can take a little off this by aiming to (C), otherwise lay up to (A) — Long hitters can take a little off this by aiming to (C), otherwise lay up to (A)

Ghala Golf Club H14B - Bunkers all around this green so club right to hit (B) — Bunkers all around this green so club right to hit (B)

Hole 15: Par 3, 180yds, index 14

This is quite a long par 3 and the green has a bunker short to watch. There is also one on the back which may catch you if you overclub. The bail out area for anyone not confident of making the green is short right.

Ghala Golf Club H15 - A long par 3 and a good shot required to hit (B) — A long par 3 and a good shot required to hit (B)

Hole 16: Par 5, 553yds, index 6

This is another long par 5 to hit in two but there is no real danger off the drive here. The second shot has to avoid bunkers on the right hand side of the fairway but keep to the left side and you should have no issues. The approach shot has to deal with a bunker short left of the green.

Ghala Golf Club H16A - Stay to the line on (A) to avoid any problems with the desert (E) — Stay to the line on (A) to avoid any problems with the desert (E)

Ghala Golf Club H16B - All the trouble is on the right of this fairway (E1) and (E2) so keep on or left of (A) — All the trouble is on the right of this fairway (E1) and (E2) so keep on or left of (A)

Ghala Golf Club H16C - Theres a bunker short left so your target is (B) — Theres a bunker short left so your target is (B)

Hole 17: Par 4, 347yds, index 10

Stay to the right hand side of the fairway to make sure that you avoid the bunker on the left with your drive. The green has a bunker on the left and right of the green so thread it between these to hit the centre.

Ghala Golf Club H17A - Straight down the fairway to (A) is the line being mindful of the desert right (E) — Straight down the fairway to (A) is the line being mindful of the desert right (E)

Ghala Golf Club H17B - Bunkers left and right mean you want to hit between (B) — Bunkers left and right mean you want to hit between (B)

Hole 18: Par 4, 356yds, index 2

The last hole has you aiming right of the clubhouse to hit the fairway if you’re long. Alternatively take a shorter club down a line from the centre of the clubhouse. You’re approach shot is into a green with water in front of it and will be watched by those sitting on the decking at the clubhouse so don’t leave it short! There are also two bunkers on the right and one at the back of the green.