Ras Al Hamra Golf Club, Muscat

A 9 hole course that isn’t, that’s one way of describing Ras Al Hamra Golf Club. Being a big fan of planning my way around courses before playing them I was intrigued at how this course had managed to look on paper with totally different yardages on the front nine compared to the back nine. Quirkiness is something I like to see on a golf course and I was looking forward to seeing how it had tied in here.

Ras Al Hamra 001 - The short par 3 7th above becomes a different animal on the back nine at 182 yards — The short par 3 7th above becomes a different animal on the back nine at 182 yards

Below is my review of Ras Al Hamra Golf Club.

Course layout (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐☆☆)

The layout of the course is a really interesting one. When you consider that it is a nine hole course they have done a great job of making the back nine totally different to the front nine. Clever usage of different pins on some greens, different tee boxes on holes and even different greens in some holes make every hole different on the front to its back nine equivalent.

Ras Al Hamra 002 - Holes 4 and 13 are the same green but with different pins and a bunker in the middle of the green — Holes 4 and 13 are the same green but with different pins and a bunker in the middle of the green

Ras Al Hamra 003 - Hole 7 becomes a longer par 3 on 16 with the use of different tee boxes — Hole 7 becomes a longer par 3 on 16 with the use of different tee boxes

Ras Al Hamra 004 - Hole 6 and 15 are distinguised by using two different greens for each hole — Hole 6 and 15 are distinguised by using two different greens for each hole

The course itself has a nice mix of holes with some long holes like the 9^th hole, and some short par 3’s like the 2^nd and 11^th holes.

Ras Al Hamra 005 - The 2nd and 11th holes is a short par 3 with 2 different pins for each hole — The 2nd and 11th holes is a short par 3 with 2 different pins for each hole

There are some good bunker placements to make you plan your shots. The fairways are not overly narrow but you do need some accuracy to hit them.

Ras Al Hamra 006 - Good bunker placement means you need to be accurate on your tee shots on the par 4s — Good bunker placement means you need to be accurate on your tee shots on the par 4s

It’s definitely interesting to play a hole on the front nine and then come around to it on the back nine and have a totally different hole in front of you that you need to plan out all over again.

Course condition (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐☆☆)

The course was in a really good condition. Tee boxes were nicely mown, fairways were good to hit from, and the greens were a fast speed. The bunkers were well looked after, and the rough areas were perfect.

Ras Al Hamra 007 - The course is in great condition from the tees to the greens — The course is in great condition from the tees to the greens

I couldn’t say anything bad about the condition of the course as it was a pleasure to play.

Facilities (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐☆☆☆☆)

When I visited the restaurant wasn’t open due to the time of year so I wasn’t able to grab a coffee before my round which is part of my pre-round routine, so this was a little blip on an otherwise perfect day. You can buy soft drinks in the clubhouse though so at least there was something there. The staff in the clubhouse are friendly and helpful so credit to them for that.

The driving range is good for warming up and you get a large supply of balls. There was a putting green not too far away as well which was in good condition.

Ras Al Hamra 008 - the driving range is perfect for warming up on before your round — Ras Al Hamra 008 – The driving range is perfect for warming up on before your round

Ras Al Hamra 009 - There is also a practice green on the way to the first tee — There is also a practice green on the way to the first tee

The buggies were perfect and even though there was no GPS they supply you with a card that shows yardages of each hole in detail so you can work out what you have in from most points on the course. Bear in mind, black and white flags are front nine and red and white are back nine!

Ras Al Hamra 010 - A nice touch is the detailed hole descriptions given with your score card before your round — A nice touch is the detailed hole descriptions given with your score card before your round

Price (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐☆☆)

The rate to play 18 holes is OMR35 during peak season. In my opinion this is good. You are basically playing an 18 hole course as both nines are so different to each other. The condition of the course in itself justifies the cost so I would have no problem paying that again to play here.

For booking Ras Al Hamra please click here.

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

The course is about 15 minutes from the centre of Muscat and 30 minutes from the airport. If you are staying in Muscat centre then it is perfectly easy to get there.

For the location on Google Maps please click here.

Conclusion

Ras Al Hamra is a golf course I would easily recommend to people to play and one I will hopefully play again some day. I enjoyed the way the course was designed and felt it was really smart how the land was utilized to include different tee boxes and different greens to make two totally different holes out of one.

Ras Al Hamra 011 - Ras Al Hamra is a beautiful course and enjoyable to play — Ras Al Hamra is a beautiful course and enjoyable to play

If you are visiting Muscat for golf, then make sure and add Ras Al Hamra to your list!

OVERALL RATING – (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐☆☆☆)

Contact Details for Ras Al Hamra Golf Club, Muscat

Website: Click here
Telephone: +968 9910 6039
Email: Click here for contact form

Hole-by-Hole

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

Hole 1: Par 5, 490yds, index 7

If you’re a long hitter take a line over the tree in the fairway for your tee shot. Otherwise aim left of this to leave a good line for your next. The pin is on the right hand side of this green for the front nine so if going for it you need to go between all the bunkers to reach the green. Your lay up line is just to the right side of the green. On your approach there are bunkers left and right but you should be close enough that these don’t cause a problem.

Ras Al Hamra H01A - Long hitters can take a line over the tree (C), everyone else go to (A) — Long hitters can take a line over the tree (C), everyone else go to (A)

Ras Al Hamra H01B - The right hand side of the green is your target. If going for it go to (C) otherwise lay up to (A) — The right hand side of the green is your target. If going for it go to (C) otherwise lay up to (A)

Ras Al Hamra H01C - The safe landing zone is between the bunkers (B) — The safe landing zone is between the bunkers (B)

Hole 2: Par 3, 158yds, index 17

For this nine the pin is on the back left portion of the green. There’s no real danger apart from a run off area on the left which may leave a tough chip back up to the green if you miss it.

Ras Al Hamra H02 - The back left portion of this green is your target (B) — The back left portion of this green is your target (B)

Hole 3: Par 4, 325yds, index 11

The tee shot here is to the left of the bunker which is on the right side of the fairway. This leaves you a good view into the green. The green you are aiming at is the one closest to you on the left. There is a bunker long left over this green.

Ras Al Hamra H03A - Take a line straight out between the bunkers to (A) — Take a line straight out between the bunkers to (A)

Ras Al Hamra H03B - The green closest to you is your target for the front nine (B) — The green closest to you is your target for the front nine (B)

Hole 4: Par 3, 127yds, index 15

This one is a short par three and your target is on the top tier of the green on the right hand side. This green is interesting as there is a bunker in the middle of it separating the two pins for front nine and back nine. You also have two bunkers on the right of the green and one short left to worry about on this shot.

Ras Al Hamra H04 - Hit to the pin on the top tier of the green (B) — Hit to the pin on the top tier of the green (B)

Hole 5: Par 4, 328yds, index 9

For the front nine you’re hitting from the back tee boxes and it’s straight down the fairway to hit the landing zone. There is a bunker on the left of the fairway and one on the right which may catch you if you veer offline. Your approach isn’t long but you have a bunker short left and one long right to avoid.

Ras Al Hamra H05A - Go straight between the bunkers to hit the middle of the fairway (A) — Go straight between the bunkers to hit the middle of the fairway (A)

Ras Al Hamra H05B - Not difficult to hit the middle of the green (B) on your approach — Not difficult to hit the middle of the green (B) on your approach

Hole 6: Par 5, 521yds, index 1

There are two options for this tee shot. Either take a fairway wood out to the left side of the fairway or if long take a driver out towards the right hand side to carry the ditch. For your second it is possible to reach the green with a good shot. The green is the left green with a lot of bunkers around it. Alternatively you can lay up to a safe zone just left of the tree in the fairway. On your approach you need to watch all of those bunkers again.

Ras Al Hamra H06A - If long take a line to (C) to carry the ditch. Otherwise lay up to (A) — If long take a line to (C) to carry the ditch. Otherwise lay up to (A)

Ras Al Hamra H06B - The lay up zone is (A) but if going for it go towards (C) — The lay up zone is (A) but if going for it go towards (C)

Ras Al Hamra H06C - Bunkers mostly on the right so steer clear of them — Bunkers mostly on the right so steer clear of them

Hole 7: Par 3, 147yds, index 13

For the front nine this is a little tester off the front tee boxes where you need to watch the lake on your left side and a bunker on your right. Avoid these and it’s not the worst hole even though it looks daunting from the tee.

Ras Al Hamra H07 - Hit between the lake and the bunkers to land in the safe landing area — Hit between the lake and the bunkers to land in the safe landing area

Hole 8: Par 4, 401yds, index 5

For your tee shot try to keep on the right hand side of the fairway bunker to leave a nice line in for your approach shot. There is one bunker short left of the green and one long right that you need to make sure to miss when coming in.

Ras Al Hamra H08A - Hit just right of the fairway bunker to reach (A) — Hit just right of the fairway bunker to reach (A)

Ras Al Hamra H08B - With a bunker left its better to stay to the right side of the green on your approach — With a bunker left its better to stay to the right side of the green on your approach

Hole 9: Par 4, 433yds, index 3

For your drive take a line out to the right of the tree on the left of the fairway making sure to avoid the bunker on the left. The part of the green for the front nine is the right hand side which is pretty open to hit. No major worries on this hole unless length is going to catch you.

Ras Al Hamra H09A - Aim to the right of the tree on the left of the fairway to get to (A) — Aim to the right of the tree on the left of the fairway to get to (A)

Ras Al Hamra H09B - This can be quite long but aim to the right side of the green (B) — This can be quite long but aim to the right side of the green (B)

Hole 10: Par 5, 501yds, index 12

This tee shot is the same as the first time you played it. Long hitters can go over the tree; everyone else should aim towards the left of the tree. For the second though the pin is now on the left side of the green. If going for it it’s a clear shot to the green or you can lay up to the left of the bunker you can see towards the centre of the green. Coming in you need to make sure to give enough to get all the way to the pin.

Ras Al Hamra H10A - Long hitters can take a line over the tree (C), everyone else go to (A) — Long hitters can take a line over the tree (C), everyone else go to (A)

Ras Al Hamra H10B - This time the pin is on the left side of the green so your lay up is to (A) and if going for it go to (C) — This time the pin is on the left side of the green so your lay up is to (A) and if going for it go to (C)

Ras Al Hamra H10C - Anywhere left side of the green to hit (B) is good — Anywhere left side of the green to hit (B) is good

Hole 11: Par 3, 130yds, index 18

This hole becomes shorter this time around as the pin is now front right. There is a bunker short right that you need to make sure and be over when hitting in.

Ras Al Hamra H11 - On the second nine the pin is short right (B) — On the second nine the pin is short right (B)

Hole 12: Par 4, 388yds, index 6

As per the front nine, your tee shot here is to the left of the bunker on the right hand side. Your approach shot is to the green that is now on the right hand side and slightly elevated. There is a bunker on the right to avoid and one very short of the green. Club enough due to the elevation change.

Ras Al Hamra H12A - Take a line straight out between the bunkers to (A) — Take a line straight out between the bunkers to (A)

Ras Al Hamra H12B - The green is slightly elevated and to your right this nine (B) — The green is slightly elevated and to your right this nine (B)

Hole 13: Par 3, 135yds, index 16

On your back nine this pin is now on the lower tier of the green which is on the left side. There’s not a big difference in the distance but a slight elevation change may mean a different club. Again look out for the bunker in the middle of the green and one which is short right of your target.

Ras Al Hamra H13 - Hit the bottom tier of the green for this hole — Hit the bottom tier of the green for this hole

Hole 14: Par 4, 276yds, index 14

This time around you are on the front tee boxes for this hole and now your club choice will change. For this time it’s best to go with a long iron to land roughly in the same place as your front nine tee shot. Again you need to watch for the bunkers each side of the fairway. Your approach is the same as before with a bunker short left and one long right to miss.

Ras Al Hamra H14A - A shorter hole this nine so take a long iron or fairway wood out to (A) — A shorter hole this nine so take a long iron or fairway wood out to (A)

Ras Al Hamra H14B - Not difficult to hit the middle of the green (B) on your approach — Not difficult to hit the middle of the green (B) on your approach

Hole 15: Par 5, 503yds, index 8

As your front nine, either take a fairway wood out to the left side of the fairway or if long take a driver out towards the right hand side to carry the ditch. For the next shot the hole changes from the first time around as the green is now closer and on the right hand side of the tree in the fairway. Whether laying up or going for it take a line just to the right of that tree. Your approach shot shouldn’t cause too much trouble as there isn’t any real trouble around the green.

Ras Al Hamra H15A - If long take a line to (C) to carry the ditch. Otherwise lay up to (A) — If long take a line to (C) to carry the ditch. Otherwise lay up to (A)

Ras Al Hamra H15B - Aim to the right of the tree in the fairway (A) whether laying up or going for it — Aim to the right of the tree in the fairway (A) whether laying up or going for it

Ras Al Hamra H15C - After a lay up its easy to hit the green (B) — After a lay up its easy to hit the green (B)

Hole 16: Par 3, 182yds, index 2

What was a daunting hole on the front nine becomes a much harder one this time. Off the back tee boxes it becomes much longer. You still need to make sure to avoid the water on the left and the bunker on the right so try and thread your way between these to hit the green.

Ras Al Hamra H16 - Its a much tougher shot to hit this par 3 on this nine — Its a much tougher shot to hit this par 3 on this nine

Hole 17: Par 4, 382yds, index 4

Off a different tee box on this nine but the target is the same for the drive just to the right of the fairway bunker. This should leave you with a shorter approach than last time around into the green. You still need to avoid the bunker short left and long right when coming in.

Ras Al Hamra H17A - From a different tee box this nine but the line is the same to the right of the fairway bunker (A) — From a different tee box this nine but the line is the same to the right of the fairway bunker (A)

Ras Al Hamra H17B - Again avoid the bunker left to hit to (B) — Again avoid the bunker left to hit to (B)

Hole 18: Par 5, 521yds, index 10

This time this hole is a par 5. Taking the same line as you did from the first nine, head out right of the bunker and the tree on the fairway. For your next shot if going for it you need to remember to aim for the left side of the green ahead. Take care of the two bunkers on the left. You can take a line to the right hand side of the green for a lay up if you prefer. On your final approach make sure and club enough to get all the way to the pin.

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