Hurghada: Golfing at the Madinat Makadi Golf Resort

Madinat Makadi’s golf course gives you a rare chance to play beside the Red Sea, with mountains, bright sun, and a full 6,880-meter championship layout under your feet. I like the choice of a 9 or 18-hole round, plus the free 34-ball range basket, which lets you loosen up before play. The main catch is the handicap rule: you need proof of a handicap of 36 or lower for the Championship Course.

I also like the small-group setup, limited to six people, and the flexible tee times noted by one golfer. The course staff earned repeated praise for being friendly and helpful. Still, the course may need some upkeep in places, and the $74 price does not include hotel transfers, food, drinks, or a golf cart.

Key points at a glance

• Play beside the Red Sea: The course gives you views of the water and nearby mountains while you play.
• Choose 9 or 18 holes: The shorter option suits a quick holiday round, while the full program uses the region’s longest 18-hole championship course.
• Bring handicap proof: A handicap of 36 or lower is required for the Championship Course.
• Practice before tee time: Your ticket includes one range token for a basket of 34 golf balls.
• Walk or pay less for a buggy: Walking golfers receive a free trolley, while an 18-hole buggy comes with a 20 percent discount.
• Expect a small group: The activity is limited to six people, with English and Arabic available.

A championship course with Red Sea views

Madinat Makadi Golf Resort is in Egypt’s Red Sea Governorate, within reach of Hurghada’s hotel zone. The setting does much of the work here. You play with the Red Sea visible from the course, while mountains provide a dry, dramatic backdrop.

This is not a woodland course with shade at every turn. The Red Sea climate means strong sun and open exposure, so the scenery is expansive rather than enclosed. I would plan this round around your comfort in heat and glare. The year-round sunshine is a major reason to book, but it also means you should take the weather seriously.

The headline feature is the 18-hole Championship Course, described as the longest in the region at 6,880 meters. That length matters. You are not signing up for a simple resort pitch-and-putt course. For a competent golfer, the full round offers a proper test of distance, club choice, and consistency.

The course has also been voted Egypt’s best golf course, according to the supplied information. Awards can be useful shorthand, but I would treat the claim as a sign of the course’s reputation rather than a guarantee that every part of the facility will feel perfect. One recent score praised the facility and friendly staff, while another called the experience enjoyable but said the course needed some care. That is a fair warning for golfers who expect immaculate conditions at every hole.

Starting at the golf shop

Your meeting point is the golf shop. That keeps the arrival simple, since you do not need to find a separate tour office or wait for a sightseeing guide. The host or greeter speaks English and Arabic, and the small group is limited to six participants.

The activity lasts three hours. That is a useful amount of time for a short 9-hole round, practice, or a well-organized visit, but you should pay attention to the exact option and starting time when booking. An 18-hole round can take more of your available day, especially if play is not moving quickly.

One golfer praised the flexibility with tee times, which is valuable when your day includes hotel meals, beach time, or other Hurghada activities. You should still confirm the available start time before counting on a tight schedule. Golf has a habit of taking longer than the brochure suggests.

The listed provider is Jaz Hotels. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included in the package, so you are responsible for reaching the golf shop unless a separate transfer arrangement is made. One past booking included pickup and return through the golf resort, but that should not be treated as part of the standard price. Ask before you assume a transfer is covered.

The range token is more useful than it sounds

Before playing, you receive one free range token. It can be exchanged for a basket of 34 golf balls at the driving range.

Thirty-four balls are enough for a sensible warm-up. You can work through a few irons, hit some longer clubs, and get a feel for the day without turning practice into a second full session. If you have just arrived from a flight, hotel transfer, or a long morning in the sun, this warm-up has real value.

I would use the range token with a purpose. Start with shorter clubs, then move into longer shots, rather than burning through the basket at once. It can also help you decide how much energy to save for the course, especially if you choose the long Championship Course.

The ticket says the facilities are suitable for improving technique, but no private lesson is included. You are getting access to the range and a basket of balls, not a personal golf instructor. If you want coaching, you will need to arrange that separately.

Choosing between 9 holes and 18 holes

The 9-hole program is the sensible choice if you want golf without giving the entire day to it. It can suit a mixed holiday schedule, a player returning to the sport, or anyone unsure how much heat and walking they want to handle.

A 9-hole round also makes the $74 price easier to assess. If the shorter round is your main goal, you are paying for access to a polished resort facility, the setting, the range basket, and the included trolley rather than simply counting holes. That may be good value for a golfer who wants a special round near Hurghada, but less attractive to someone seeking the cheapest possible way to play.

The 18-hole option is aimed at golfers who want the complete test. At 6,880 meters, the Championship Course is a serious commitment and the central reason to choose this experience over a brief practice session. You get more time on the course and a fuller sense of the resort’s design.

The drawback is physical. Eighteen holes in open Red Sea sun can be tiring, and a free trolley does not remove the need to walk. A buggy is not included, though you receive a 20 percent discount on a buggy for the 18-hole Championship Course. Golf carts and food or drinks remain extra.

The handicap rule is the detail that matters most

You need a handicap of 36 or lower to play the Championship Course, and proof of handicap is required before you play. This is not a small administrative note. If you arrive without acceptable proof, the course may not be available to you.

Check your golf documents before booking. The supplied information does not name the exact form of proof accepted, so you should confirm that point if your handicap is recorded through a club, federation, or digital system. A screenshot may or may not be enough, and it is better to settle that before you arrive.

Golfers with higher handicaps are invited to play the Executive Course. That gives less experienced players a practical alternative rather than excluding them from the resort entirely. The information does not provide the Executive Course’s length, hole count, or exact design, so I would ask for those details if the shorter course is the main reason you are booking.

This rule also helps set expectations. The Championship Course is intended for golfers who can manage a full-length course, not for complete beginners looking for a casual introduction. If your handicap is near the limit, the 9-hole program may be the more comfortable first choice.

Walking arrangements and buggy costs

Walking golfers receive a free trolley. That is a helpful inclusion on a long course, since carrying your bag for several hours in the sun would add needless strain.

A trolley is not the same as a motorized buggy. If you prefer to ride, you must pay for a golf cart, although the package gives you a 20 percent discount on a buggy for 18 holes on the Championship Course. The discount improves the value, but it does not make the ride free.

For the 9-hole option, the supplied details do not mention a buggy discount. Ask about the current rate if you know you will not want to walk. You should also factor transport into the budget, since hotel pickup and drop-off are not part of the standard package.

The resort’s open setting means shade may not be available when you want it. I would plan comfortable golf clothing, sun protection, and enough water, though food and drinks are not included. Those are ordinary golf precautions, but they matter more in a hot, exposed Red Sea setting.

Staff service and the feel of the visit

The strongest human element here is the golf staff. Several high scores praised the team as friendly, helpful, and attentive. One German golfer described the facility as well maintained with pleasant service, while another simply found the staff helpful and wanted to return.

That matters at a resort course. Clear instructions about tee time, handicap proof, range access, trolley use, and the course option can make the difference between a relaxed round and a frustrating start. The English and Arabic language support should help with basic arrangements.

The feedback is not uniformly glowing. One player enjoyed the round but felt the course needed some care. I would set your expectations at good resort golf with some possible signs of wear, rather than a flawless private-club experience.

The small group limit of six is another plus. You are not being folded into a large sightseeing group, and the activity remains focused on golf. The experience is still not a private lesson or a personal caddie service, but a small group can make arrival and basic arrangements easier.

Is $74 good value?

At $74 per person, this is not a bargain round for someone comparing only the cost per hole. The price does not include transfers, a cart, food, drinks, or instruction. If you need a buggy and transport from your hotel, your final cost will rise.

The value improves if you use the included extras. You receive a 9 or 18-hole round, one range token with 34 balls, and a free trolley for walking golfers. You also get access to a course with Red Sea and mountain views, plus the chance to play the region’s longest 18-hole championship layout.

For an experienced golfer already staying near Hurghada, $74 can be reasonable for a dedicated round in a memorable setting. The 18-hole option makes the price easier to justify if the course quality and scenery are your main priorities.

For a casual player interested only in trying golf once, the 9-hole option may offer better practical value. You avoid committing to a long round, and the range basket gives you a little practice before play. Still, compare the price with your hotel’s own golf facilities if you have access to them.

The free cancellation window also helps reduce risk. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps you from paying at once. These policies do not change the cost, but they make it easier to fit the round into a changing holiday schedule.

Who should book this round

I would recommend this experience to a golfer who wants a proper course rather than a casual putting session. It is especially suited to players with a verified handicap of 36 or lower who are keen to test themselves on a long championship layout.

It also suits a couple or small group with different energy levels. One person can choose 9 holes while another may prefer 18, depending on the options available for the selected time. The small-group limit and English or Arabic support keep the arrangement fairly simple.

The resort is less suitable for a complete beginner who expects coaching. No lesson is included, and the Championship Course has a clear handicap requirement. A higher-handicap player can use the Executive Course, but you should confirm its details before booking.

The round is also not suitable for pregnant women or people over 95 years old, as stated in the activity restrictions. The open sun, walking, and length of the full course are worth considering for anyone with limited stamina.

My call: book it for the course, not just the scenery

Book this if you want a serious golf outing near Hurghada and you meet the handicap requirement. The combination of Red Sea views, a 6,880-meter Championship Course, a free 34-ball range basket, and a trolley for walkers gives the package solid value for an active golfer.

Choose 9 holes if you want a shorter holiday activity, and choose 18 if the course itself is a main reason for your visit. Bring handicap proof, budget for transport and possibly a buggy, and accept that the course may show occasional signs of wear.

I would skip it if you want an inexpensive beginner lesson, an all-inclusive golf package, or a guaranteed cart and hotel transfer. For the right golfer, though, Madinat Makadi offers a proper round in a striking Red Sea setting, with friendly staff and enough flexibility to fit into a Hurghada holiday.

FAQ

Where is Madinat Makadi Golf Resort?

It is in Egypt’s Red Sea Governorate, near Hurghada.

How long does the activity last?

The listed duration is three hours. Starting times depend on availability.

Can I choose between 9 and 18 holes?

Yes. The activity offers a 9-hole or 18-hole program, depending on the option selected.

What handicap do I need for the Championship Course?

You need a handicap of 36 or lower, and proof of handicap is required before play.

Can golfers with a higher handicap play?

Yes. Golfers with higher handicaps are invited to play on the Executive Course.

Is a golf cart included?

No. Golf carts are not included, but an 18-hole buggy on the Championship Course comes with a 20 percent discount. Walking golfers receive a free trolley.

What is included besides the round?

You receive one free range token, which can be exchanged for a basket of 34 golf balls. Food, drinks, and hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.