DESTINATION GOLF GLOBAL GUIDE 2026
Designed by golfing legend Greg Norman, Ayla Golf Club has helped position Jordan on the international golf tourism map. Set against the dramatic backdrop of Aqaba’ s mountains and desert scenery, the course offers a golfing experience unlike almost anywhere else in the world.
What makes Ayla Golf Club especially remarkable is the contrast between landscape and environment. In a region better known for desert terrain, the course introduces rolling green fairways, crystal lagoons, and lush landscaping into the heart of Aqaba’ s arid surroundings. Covering more than 800,000 square metres, the development was designed with sustainability and environmental integration in mind, using man-made lakes, groundwater reservoirs, and eco-conscious irrigation systems to support the course while preserving the surrounding ecosystem.
Greg Norman’ s“ least disturbance” design philosophy played a major role in shaping the course. Rather than overpowering the natural environment, the layout blends with the desert topography and surrounding mountain views. The 18-hole championship course stretches to more than 7,100 yards and offers a challenging but accessible experience for golfers of varying abilities. Multiple tee positions allow both amateur and experienced players to enjoy the course, while the changing direction of holes and elevation shifts create constant visual and strategic variety.
In addition to the championship layout, Ayla Golf Club also includes a fully floodlit nine-hole academy course and extensive practice facilities. The academy is designed to make golf more accessible in Jordan, offering lessons, beginner programmes, indoor swing studios, short-game practice areas, and coaching from PGAqualified professionals.
One of Ayla’ s most distinctive features is its commitment to sustainability. The course has been recognised among the world’ s leading eco-friendly golf destinations, using solar-powered systems for irrigation and desalination alongside salt-tolerant grass species and environmentally conscious landscaping. In a desert environment where water management is critical, Ayla has worked to demonstrate that luxury golf tourism and environmental responsibility can coexist.
The architecture of the clubhouse has also attracted international attention. Designed by Oppenheim Architecture, the striking structure avoids the traditional look of many golf clubhouses and instead embraces a flowing, organic design inspired by the surrounding dunes and Bedouin heritage. Curved concrete forms rise naturally from the desert landscape, creating a clubhouse that feels connected to its environment rather than imposed upon it.
Inside, the clubhouse combines golf facilities with dining, retail, lounge spaces, and academy services, all overlooking the course and surrounding mountains. The restaurant and terrace areas have become popular social destinations even for non-golfers visiting Ayla Oasis.
While golf remains central to the destination, Ayla’ s wider tourism appeal is equally important. Aqaba itself has become one of Jordan’ s fastest-growing tourism centres thanks to its Red Sea coastline, luxury resorts, diving opportunities, and year-round climate. Visitors can spend the morning diving among coral reefs,
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