"Norman's 'least disturbance' routing keeps the desert surroundings in near-constant view; the strategic bunkering favors thoughtful positioning off the tee over raw length."

Allegria was Greg Norman's first course in North Africa and, on opening in 2010, was billed as Egypt's first true signature design. It anchors the Allegria community within SODIC's vast development in Sheikh Zayed City west of Cairo, and from parts of the course you can see the Pyramids of Giza on the horizon. Norman's team, with builders King Golf International, moved serious earth to turn a flat site into rolling golf ground, dressing it with lakes, streams, waste areas and beach-style bunkers along the water. Managed by Troon Golf, it is ranked the number one course in Egypt on Top 100 Golf Courses and took CNBC Arabian Property Awards' Best Golf Development honours in 2008 while still being built.

Anyone golfing in Cairo who wants the country's benchmark modern course — and the once-in-a-lifetime novelty of pyramid views from the fairway.

The par-3 7th demands a full water carry, the 8th plays to an enormous double green shared with the 13th, and the 14th is a classic risk-reward par 4 with a creek hugging the entire right side.

Norman designed it to work for beginners and accomplished players alike — generous landing areas from forward tees, with the trouble mostly visible in front of you rather than hidden.

Sits inside SODIC West, one of Egypt's largest mixed-use developments, roughly double the size of Cairo's Zamalek district.

The double green at 8/13 and the creek-lined 14th give the simulator round genuine strategic variety on otherwise gentle terrain.

A community club managed by Troon Golf; visiting play is arranged through the club directly (theallegriacairo.com) and Cairo golf operators.