South Africa, the southernmost country in Africa. Is famous for its incredible wildlife and landscape, and not to forget the famous wine regions including Stellenbosch and Constantia.
And now there claiming a position as one of world’s most top golfing destinations with their glorious championship golf courses.
15. George Golf
COURSE George is the most affordable of the country’s finest courses, so it’s no surprise that it’s always packed. The course is in outstanding condition, with smooth greens and well-kept fairways.
It’s maybe the best “value-for-money” golf round you’ll ever play. George is an ideal stopover on a road trip because it is located along the famed Garden Route.
The George Golf Course, is a beautifully maintained, 7,204 yards, par 72, 18-hole course.
14. East London Golf Club
East London Golf Club or ELG is one of the oldest golf clubs in South Africa. It’s a traditional course that is set amongst hills, dunes and coastal local shrubs.
It offers a combination of both links and parkland course features. And the wind is an unavoidable natural phenomenon that golfers must battle with due to the course’s proximity to the coast.
With raised greens surrounded by bunkers, makes attacking the pin a challenge for golfers of all levels. This, par 73, 6,600 yards, 18 golf course is one of the best Championship Courses in South Africa and should be on your bucket list.
13. Blair Atholl
This signature golf course is located on at the location of the former home of golf legend Gary Player.
The course is also designed by Gary Player design and forms the heart of the estate with its rolling greens and grasslands.
Blair Atholl is a one-of-a-kind golfing experience that is the furthest thing from a regular golf course.
Measuring 8.300 yards from the black tees, this is one of the longest golf courses in the world. Unfortunately, the Blair Atholl is a private club, and visitors are only permitted to play after getting an invitation from a member.
12. The River Club
The River Club is a private golf club with a level of exclusivity unmatched in the country. Those who are lucky enough to be invited are rarely let down because the course is always kept in perfect condition.
The fairways are made of native Kikuyu grass, which is soft grass. Bent grass is used on the greens, providing a true putting feel.
The River Club is known for having one of the most difficult finishing holes in the country, and even the most seasoned golfers will find getting a par on the last three holes difficult.
The 18-hole Championship layout measures 7,197 yards from the Championship Tees and is a par 72.
11. Arabella
One of the nicest stops a golfer may make is in the Western Cape, along the world-famous Garden Route.
Arabella Golf Club is widely regarded as one of South Africa’s best golf courses, and it is a fantastic place to play for everyone.
The 18 holes course is slightly over 7,000 yards long, and a par 72, designed to provide a unique challenge to all golfers. The course not only has a lovely layout, but it also has a beautiful view of the Bot River Lagoon, making for an incredible backdrop for a round of golf.
10. Fancourt Montagu Golf Course
Montagu is often overshadowed by its younger sibling, The Links at Fancourt, but it is nevertheless a fantastic golf course in its own right.
Golfers are immersed in the thrills of nature at the foot of the Outeniqua Mountains, which are lined with lovely trees.
Originally designed by Gary Player, has earned a world class reputation as one of the finest 18-hole parkland layouts. Have you had the chance to play at this 18 hole course?
9. Glendower
Glendower Golf Club is an excellent example of a ‘parklands’ golf course. It is a must play for everyone who needs to get away from the noise and bustle of the city but cannot travel too far.
As it is located in the heart of Jo’burg. The bunkers are the only genuine difficulty on the entire course. If you can successfully dodge the strategically placed sand, you will be able to get a good score.
8. Pearl Valley
With its white bunkers complementing the rich emerald of the fairways, Pearl Valley is the definition of a superb golf course.
The course is set in the Drakenstein Mountains and is as beautiful as they come. The course may appear simple at first glance, with wide fairways and large greens, but water hazards and a good number of bunkers keep it exciting for any golfer.
The South African Open has been held at Pearl Valley for three years in a row, the first being in 2007. This 6,995 yards, par 72, 18 holes Championship course was designed by Jack Nicklaus.
7. St. Francis Links
Voted the Best New Course in South Africa in 2007 and consistently ranked one of the top 10 golf courses in South Africa.
This Jack Nicklaus signature golf course is a challenging course in the midst of pristine natural surroundings. This, 6,553 yards, par 72, 18-hole Championship course is located on the seaside and features tumbling topography, making it a true links course.
6. Royal Johannesburg And Kensington (East Championship)
The course at Royal J & K has recently undergone upgrades that have propelled it to the top of the rankings. The East Course is unquestionably superior to the West, with exquisite amenities both on and off the course.
The bunkers, which were formerly its major flaw, have now been improved to compete with the world’s best. The course is more than 7,500 yards long, and the big hitters have a significant advantage over the rest.
Before you step onto the course, you can practice your swing on the driving range, chipping area, and putting green. Making it a must play course when in South Africa!
5. Humewood
Found in the coastal city of Port Elizabeth, the golf course is a genuine seaside links, with wide and undulating fairways, fast greens and thick coastal bush.
Bobby Locke, a golf legend, referred to Humewood as “South Africa’s best course” and thought it could compete with the best links courses on the British Isles.
The wide fairways are typical of a links course, which was designed to compensate for the constant wind generated by the course’s proximity to the ocean.
The greens are incredibly firm and quick, and with heavy rough on either side of the fairways. Making this 6,372 yards, par 72, 18 holes Championship course a real challenge to play.
4. Durban Country Club
The SA Open has been held at Durban Country Club 17 times, demonstrating the course’s esteem in the golfing community.
The Country Club has a long history, as well as stunning views of the Indian Ocean and undulating fairways. Combinations are sure to make for an interesting and challenging round of golf.
The layout is widely regarded as one of the best in the country, which is why the course consistently scores highly.
Many people consider the first five holes to be one of “golf’s best openers.” Have you had the chance to play at this 6,733 yards, par 72, 18-holes Championship course?
3. Gary Player Course Club
The Gary Player Course, one of two courses within Sun City’s a ‘Las Vegas-styled’ resort, is without a doubt the greatest of the two.
The course, which stretches over 7,700 yards, is one of the country’s longest and features a large number of strategically positioned hazards around the greens.
Long hitters who can control their approach shots will have a good time during an 18-hole round at Gary Player.
2. Leopard Creek
Leopard Creek is similar to many of Gary Player’s other courses in that the natural environment is conserved to the greatest extent possible.
This is a relief because it is located next to one of Africa’s greatest natural reserves. Guests are frequently rewarded to rare wildlife sightings, making golf at Leopard Creek a one-of-a-kind experience.
Unfortunately, this 6,792 yards, par 72, 18 holes championship course is private. And only members and their visitors are permitted to use it.
Limited tee times are offered for people staying at specific neighbouring lodges.
1. Fancourt Links
This golf course is now regarded by many as the best golf course in Africa. It’s hard to think that this magnificent structure was carved out of a flat and uninspiring piece of land.
But now this golf course has been designed to make golfers feel as though they were at Ballybunion, Dornoch, or St Andrews with rolling fairways, pot bunkers, big greens, high rough, and a seascape appearance.”
And Gary Player calls the course his “best feat as a course designer” because it was influenced by many of the world’s top Links, including St Andrews.
The golf course is an astounding 7,579 yards from the Championship Tees and plays to a par of 73. Which is the best golf course in South Africa, according to you?
