1 Al Mouj
Australian legend Greg Norman struck gold when he was handed a four-mile stretch of virgin coastline near Muscat on which to work his magic. Norman has performed design alchemy by the ocean at several locations worldwide — notably at Danang Golf Club and The Bluffs, Ho Tram in Vietnam — and so it proved at Al Mouj, the centrepiece of The Wave mixed-use project. The links-style layout is undoubtedly the best in Oman and some of its holes would be considered worthy of any of the world’s top courses. Look out for the signature 2nd hole, a truly stunning par-3 that’s played towards the azure ocean.
almoujgolf.com, green fees from £100

2 Muscat Hills
Oman’s first grass golf course, Muscat Hills was highly anticipated and has not disappointed since opening for play in 2009. Situated in the shadow of the imposing Al-Hajar Mountains, the course enjoys a dramatic location and is an exacting test for even the best golfer with natural wadis (dried up river beds) coming into play on many holes. There are numerous stand-out holes on the course. These include the perilous par-4 6th, which is uphill all the way to a shallow green that perches on a high brow.
muscathills.com, green fees from £75

3 Ghala Golf Club
Amidst all the excitement of the opening of Al Mouj, the redevelopment of Ghala Golf Club slipped slightly under the radar. The oldest course in Oman, dating back to 1971, the layout is long beloved of Oman’s golfing community and visitors for its welcoming atmosphere and attractive setting in a valley below the towering Al-Hajar mountains. Now fully grassed, the course is characterised by narrow fairways that demand pinpoint accuracy from tee to green.
ghalagolf.com; green fees from £70