For a golf instructor, the quality of your environment is everything. To teach at the highest level, you need a facility that demands excellence.

For the past three years, I have been fortunate enough to call the Royal Golf Club Bahrain my office. If you’ve ever stood on the first tee here, you know you aren’t just looking at a regular golf course—you’re looking at a world-class course directly out of the desert.

As Head Coach, I’ve spent nearly three years analyzing every slope, every grain of the grass, and every shift in the desert wind. Today, I’m taking you "behind the ropes" to show you what makes this DP World Tour venue so special and how its unique challenges can help you become a better golfer.

A Legacy of Excellence

The Royal Golf Club officially opened its doors on November 13, 2008, and it didn't take long for the world to notice. Designed by the legendary Colin Montgomerie, the "Montgomerie Course" was built to challenge the very best. Remember that Colin was one of the straightest and consistent players of all time, winning the European Tour Order of Merit (Now called Race to Dubai) 8 times followed by Rory Mcilroy.

Because of its world-class standards, we have the honor of hosting a DP World Tour event every year (most recently the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship). Over the years, our fairways have been graced by some of the biggest names in the game:

Paul Casey (Winner of the inaugural Volvo Golf Champions in 2011)
Dylan Frittelli (2024 Champion)
Laurie Canter (2025 Champion)
Ryder Cup and Major winner icons like Colin Montgomerie, Jose María Olazabal, Miguel Ángel Jiménez, Michael Campbell, Padraig Harrington, Darren Clarke, Shane Lowry, Henrik Stenson, Patrick Reed and Thomas Bjørn.

The Challenge: Undulations & The Desert

When people visit the Royal Golf Club, they often hear us describe it as a Tour Course. But what does that actually mean for your game?

A "Tour" venue isn't just about prestige; it’s about a specific set of standards. To host a global event like the DP World Tour, a course must offer significant length, immaculate maintenance, and—most importantly—strategic depth. It has to be a challenge for the Tour players. With our complex green undulations, we can create many different tough pin positions, changing the course’s personality from "challenging" to "punishing" with just a few inches of movement.

A Masterclass for Course Management

The Royal Golf Club is a thinking man’s course. It is designed to be fun, but it is full of "hidden tricks" that reward the smart player and penalize the reckless.

The layout is perfectly balanced, offering a rhythm of easy, medium, and difficult holes that build a unique psychological pressure:

The Gauntlet (Holes 1–4): You have to be awake from the first swing. These opening holes are notoriously difficult to score on. If you can escape this stretch at even par, you’ve done a magnificent job.
The Scoring Zone: As you move into the middle of the round, the course offers opportunities to get some strokes back—if you play strategically.
The Final Tension (Holes 15–18): This is where championships are won or lost. The pressure ramps up significantly in the final four holes. By the time you reach our emblematic 18th hole, the tension is palpable.

The 18th is designed for drama. With water in play in both shots and a green that ensures that every tournament at the Royal Golf Club has a thrilling finish. Whether you are a professional or a guest, that final putt on the 18th is a feeling you won't soon forget.

Perfect for Beginners: The "Wee Monty"

You don't need to be a DP World Tour pro to enjoy golf here. We are home to the "Wee Monty," a beautiful 9-hole, par-3 course also designed by Montgomerie.

Why play it? The holes range from 60 to 140 yards.
Who is it for? It is the absolute perfect place for beginners to learn the game without the pressure of the long championship course. It’s also great for seasoned players looking to sharpen their short game under the floodlights!

9th Hole at Wee Monty Par 3 Course in Bahrain.

World-Class Training at the Royal Golf Academy

If you want to improve your game, we have the best tools in the business. Our driving range is fully equipped with Trackman Range Technology, allowing you to track every shot you hit on the range via your phone. And you don't have to be a member to enjoy it.

Inside the Royal Golf Academy, we take it a step further with our dedicated Trackman 4 unit. And I work alongside a talented team of professionals. Together, we provide a truly international coaching experience, offering lessons in:

English
Arabic
Spanish
Afrikaans

Ready to level up your game?

If you want to book a lesson here at the Royal Golf Club, I am here to help you conquer this amazing course.

Golf Academy Phone Number: +973 39664969

Golf Academy Email: Academy@theroyalgolfclub.com

Pro-Tip for your next round:

Next time you play the 16th, remember to aim to the center of the green, where there is a wider area and like this you will avoid the short bunkers on the side.

Mariano Ochoa

Bahrain’s Premier Championship Course: Royal Golf Club