Overview
South Africa is fast becoming one of the world's most exciting golf destinations. With Championship Golf Courses, breathtaking scenery and world class Big 5 safaris, South Africa offers a unique golf experience to remember.
Situated in the most southern part of the African continent, South Africa is perhaps the most diverse country in Africa. It has it all, quality Big 5 safaris, golden beaches, world class cities and an outdoor lifestyle not easily comparable with any other country in the world! For years South Africa might have been in the news for somewhat negative reasons, but given its history and what it has become, this is definitely a destination not to miss.
Cape Town is but one of the many cities voted the “most preferred destination” and “friendliest cities” in the world. It has beautiful mountains, unspoiled beaches, fine wines and world-class restaurants. One can experience the city life in Cape Town, forests and lakes in the garden route, taste the best wines on offer in Stellenbosch and Franschhoek and top it off with a world class safari in the Kruger National Park.
Situated in the most southern part of the African continent, South Africa is perhaps the most diverse country in Africa. It has it all, quality Big 5 safaris, golden beaches, world class cities and an outdoor lifestyle not easily comparable with any other country in the world! For years South Africa might have been in the news for somewhat negative reasons, but given its history and what it has become, this is definitely a destination not to miss.
Cape Town is but one of the many cities voted the “most preferred destination” and “friendliest cities” in the world. It has beautiful mountains, unspoiled beaches, fine wines and world-class restaurants. One can experience the city life in Cape Town, forests and lakes in the garden route, taste the best wines on offer in Stellenbosch and Franschhoek and top it off with a world class safari in the Kruger National Park.
Key Cities (for the golf traveler)
| Cape Town When visiting Cape Town you are spoilt for choice when choosing the perfect hotel option for your stay. To make it easy we have selected some of our top hotels, boutique hotels and guests houses in some of the most popular areas around Cape Town. These areas include the famous V&A Waterfront, probably the best option for the first time traveler. If you are looking for beautiful sea views and beaches, the Atlantic Seaboard is probably more your style. Most of the hotels and guest houses in this area will have stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean with many of them situated close to Cape Town's most popular beaches such as Clifton and Camps Bay. City living is always an option, especially for the younger traveler and the Cape Town City offers a myriad of hotels, villas and guest houses to choose from. Most of the hotels and guest houses as situated close to or within walking distance from world class bars and restaurants, something to experience when visiting this vibrant city! |
GEORGE
George is the sixth oldest town in South Africa and is referred to as the Capital of the Southern Cape. It is situated beneath the Outeniqua Mountain range and is surrounded by a blend of rivers, rich farmlands, forests and wildflowers. The town has a comfortable, small-town ambience. The majority of people who reside in George are Afrikaans-speaking, but all can speak English. George has the biggest Shopping Centre in the Garden Route which is called the Garden Route Mall. The town is laid out in city-block fashion, making it very easy to find your way about. The town is a major accommodation centre with a vast array of facilities to offer. George has superb golf facilities and hosted the first ever Presidents Cup to be played outside the United States. George also has many different theatres and cinemas to choose from. George is quite an exciting place to visit with lots of fun filled things to do, from having fun with the family to having exciting adventures.
George is the sixth oldest town in South Africa and is referred to as the Capital of the Southern Cape. It is situated beneath the Outeniqua Mountain range and is surrounded by a blend of rivers, rich farmlands, forests and wildflowers. The town has a comfortable, small-town ambience. The majority of people who reside in George are Afrikaans-speaking, but all can speak English. George has the biggest Shopping Centre in the Garden Route which is called the Garden Route Mall. The town is laid out in city-block fashion, making it very easy to find your way about. The town is a major accommodation centre with a vast array of facilities to offer. George has superb golf facilities and hosted the first ever Presidents Cup to be played outside the United States. George also has many different theatres and cinemas to choose from. George is quite an exciting place to visit with lots of fun filled things to do, from having fun with the family to having exciting adventures.
Hotels / Resorts / Lodges
There is so much to choose from in this amazing country but here are a few of the places our clients have enjoyed in the past.
Fancourt Hotel
Garden Route, South Africa
Fancourt, South Africa's premier leisure and business resort is situated in the heart of the Garden Route. Ideally located just seven kilometres from both George Airport and the historic town of George, the resort is superbly landscaped on both 613 hectares of lush countryside with majestic Outeniqua Mountains as the perfect backdrop. A VIP lounge at the George Airport, room service, satellite TV, valet, and state of the art conference and corporate entertaining facilities are of the highest international standard. The fully equipped and professionally staffed Fancourt Spa, which incorporates a sauna, steamroom, tepidarium and gymnasium with personal trainer, includes a heated indoor roman bath and jacuzzi, a hair salon and Cherot, Fancourt's exclusive ladies fashion boutique. Other facilities include two golf shops, golf academy, a deli, mini cinema and jewellery shop. A real estate office and showroom featuring premium Fancourt residential homes and 24-hour security is also available.
Garden Route, South Africa
Fancourt, South Africa's premier leisure and business resort is situated in the heart of the Garden Route. Ideally located just seven kilometres from both George Airport and the historic town of George, the resort is superbly landscaped on both 613 hectares of lush countryside with majestic Outeniqua Mountains as the perfect backdrop. A VIP lounge at the George Airport, room service, satellite TV, valet, and state of the art conference and corporate entertaining facilities are of the highest international standard. The fully equipped and professionally staffed Fancourt Spa, which incorporates a sauna, steamroom, tepidarium and gymnasium with personal trainer, includes a heated indoor roman bath and jacuzzi, a hair salon and Cherot, Fancourt's exclusive ladies fashion boutique. Other facilities include two golf shops, golf academy, a deli, mini cinema and jewellery shop. A real estate office and showroom featuring premium Fancourt residential homes and 24-hour security is also available.
| The Table Bay Hotel Cape Town, South Africa Set on the historic Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town; the Table Bay Hotel has been created as a tribute to this world-famous bay and also sets its own standards in international service, cuisine and luxury. Cosmopolitan, gracious and relaxed The Table Bay is the sum of all that is good about its home town, the Mother City, Cape Town. The Table Bay is a sanctuary for people who enjoy their food and wine. Whether it’s elegant dining on authentic South African cuisine by acclaimed chefs, informal ‘al fresco’ meals, or high tea with freshly baked scones, cream and preserves, The Table Bay will add delight to any occasion. Like a grand hostess, she’s always one step ahead. The adjacent V& A Waterfront offers a wide range of things to do and see with markets, malls and stalls, cabarets and live bands. Full-time charter service from the hotel and the Waterfront offers every type of trip imaginable to the endless array of attractions in the Western Cape. |
Jock Safari Lodge
Kruger Park Area, South Africa
This historic lodge was the first private lodge to be built in the heart of Kruger National Park, Africa's premier wildlife reserve. The lodge is built in the Jock of the Bushveld Concession Area in the southern area of Kruger National Park at the confluence of the Mitomeni and Biyamiti rivers. The lodge's two spacious decks offer stunning views over a pool and the river. This cultural has the ambiance of a bygone era, and incorporates elements of the colonial past, as well as indigenous Zulu and Shangaan cultures. The lodge has exclusive traversing rights in an area that is regarded as one of the best areas in the Kruger National Park for its Big Five sightings. Guests can enjoy daily game drives in open safari vehicles to see the areas diverse wildlife. Set out on bush walks to see ancient Bushmen paintings nearby. Learn about the stories of the stars during a star gazing session or in the rainy season head out on a Frog Safari and see the many different amphibians that occur in the area. Be pampered with a relaxing wellness treatment at the spa.
Kruger Park Area, South Africa
This historic lodge was the first private lodge to be built in the heart of Kruger National Park, Africa's premier wildlife reserve. The lodge is built in the Jock of the Bushveld Concession Area in the southern area of Kruger National Park at the confluence of the Mitomeni and Biyamiti rivers. The lodge's two spacious decks offer stunning views over a pool and the river. This cultural has the ambiance of a bygone era, and incorporates elements of the colonial past, as well as indigenous Zulu and Shangaan cultures. The lodge has exclusive traversing rights in an area that is regarded as one of the best areas in the Kruger National Park for its Big Five sightings. Guests can enjoy daily game drives in open safari vehicles to see the areas diverse wildlife. Set out on bush walks to see ancient Bushmen paintings nearby. Learn about the stories of the stars during a star gazing session or in the rainy season head out on a Frog Safari and see the many different amphibians that occur in the area. Be pampered with a relaxing wellness treatment at the spa.
Golf Courses
As with the hotels, golf courses are plentiful in South Africa but here are a few of the courses our clients have enjoyed in the past.
| Fancourt - Montagu Course Garden Route, South Africa The Fancourt Montagu Golf Course is nestled at the foot of the Outeniqua Mountain in the heart of The Garden Route, in George, renowned throughout the world for its immense natural beauty and world class setting. This is an 18-hole parkland course is delightful with top of the range conditioning and a setting that takes in mountains, water and interesting wildlife. |
THE LINKS
GARDEN ROUTE, SOUTH AFRICA
Created from a previously flat piece of land, over 700 000 cubic metres of earth was moved in transforming The Links at Fancourt from an airstrip into a typical Links style course. The course presents undulating windswept terrain and dune-style landscape - The result being an awe-inspiring course eliciting praise from some of the world’s finest golfers. Every hole has attention to detail ensuring overall balance in terms of length, position of hazards and shot values are in harmony. As a result, The Links presents a stern test in all weather conditions and bound to test the best golfer in every way. One of the extraordinary holes include the par-3 second, with its bunker in the heart of the enormous green. The Links at Fancourt is a private club, with play restricted to members and their invited guests. There are limited times available to guests staying at Fancourt’s hotel making bookings essential.
GARDEN ROUTE, SOUTH AFRICA
Created from a previously flat piece of land, over 700 000 cubic metres of earth was moved in transforming The Links at Fancourt from an airstrip into a typical Links style course. The course presents undulating windswept terrain and dune-style landscape - The result being an awe-inspiring course eliciting praise from some of the world’s finest golfers. Every hole has attention to detail ensuring overall balance in terms of length, position of hazards and shot values are in harmony. As a result, The Links presents a stern test in all weather conditions and bound to test the best golfer in every way. One of the extraordinary holes include the par-3 second, with its bunker in the heart of the enormous green. The Links at Fancourt is a private club, with play restricted to members and their invited guests. There are limited times available to guests staying at Fancourt’s hotel making bookings essential.
| PINNACLE POINT GOLF CLUB GARDEN ROUTE, SOUTH AFRICA The emerald green fairways and tees of this Cliff top Fynbos Golf Course provide the perfect surface for superb shots and the bent grass greens will ensure a challenging and entertaining game. The course's dramatic views, breathtaking terrain and challenging layout inspires the golfer to play this course with a high level of respect and concentration. The 72 par layout is characterised by 7 majestic holes that line the Indian Ocean rock cliffs, 4 of which are played over ocean and cliffs. All of the 18 holes have been designed to fit the lay of the land and is a true testament of a golfer's ability. |
ERINVALE GOLF COURSE
WINELANDS, SOUTH AFRICA
The Gary Player-designed golf course was host to the 1996 World Cup of Golf and has fast become renowned both locally and abroad. Erinvale Golf Club’s beautifully manicured par 72 championship course boasts some of the country’s most challenging and spectacular holes. This is a course with two distinctly different nines. The demanding front nine meanders through park-like terrain and the back nine provides a contrasting challenge winding its way through the foothills of the mountains with panoramic views of False Bay. The signature hole is the par-four 17th hole, a great finishing hole that swoops downhill and is an extreme test of nerves playing from an elevated tee towards a long and narrow green.
WINELANDS, SOUTH AFRICA
The Gary Player-designed golf course was host to the 1996 World Cup of Golf and has fast become renowned both locally and abroad. Erinvale Golf Club’s beautifully manicured par 72 championship course boasts some of the country’s most challenging and spectacular holes. This is a course with two distinctly different nines. The demanding front nine meanders through park-like terrain and the back nine provides a contrasting challenge winding its way through the foothills of the mountains with panoramic views of False Bay. The signature hole is the par-four 17th hole, a great finishing hole that swoops downhill and is an extreme test of nerves playing from an elevated tee towards a long and narrow green.
PEARL VALLEY GOLF ESTATE
WINELANDS, SOUTH AFRICA
This fairly flat and largely uninterrupted terrain enabled Nicklaus the freedom to develop hole strategies making this a golf course the golfer has to think his/her way around. In its engineering and planning detail, the course is very rare. It is crossed by roads in only three places, and the drainage system allows play to continue just minutes after a severe cloudburst. Every hole is played against the spectacular backdrop of the mountains surrounding the estate and all are challenging due to the strategically set bunkers and fast greens. The 13th hole, par 3, is the ‘Signature’ hole of the course and perhaps the most scenic. The water cuts from the right and a greenside bunker awaits the cautious tee shot. Hole 4 – equally challenging; leaves no room for error crossing the creek three times on route to the green. This par 5 is listed as one of the best in South Africa, a real ‘risk and reward’ classic!
WINELANDS, SOUTH AFRICA
This fairly flat and largely uninterrupted terrain enabled Nicklaus the freedom to develop hole strategies making this a golf course the golfer has to think his/her way around. In its engineering and planning detail, the course is very rare. It is crossed by roads in only three places, and the drainage system allows play to continue just minutes after a severe cloudburst. Every hole is played against the spectacular backdrop of the mountains surrounding the estate and all are challenging due to the strategically set bunkers and fast greens. The 13th hole, par 3, is the ‘Signature’ hole of the course and perhaps the most scenic. The water cuts from the right and a greenside bunker awaits the cautious tee shot. Hole 4 – equally challenging; leaves no room for error crossing the creek three times on route to the green. This par 5 is listed as one of the best in South Africa, a real ‘risk and reward’ classic!
LEOPARD CREEK COUNTRY CLUB
KRUGER PARK AREA, SOUTH AFRICA
Working closely with the Kruger National Park and nature conservation authorities, the Leopard Creek Golf Course was specifically designed to blend in with the surroundings, providing sophisticated leisure amenities in an undisturbed natural environment. Innovative architectural and landscaping techniques ensure that the golf course is in harmony with the environment, while lakes and small streams have been diverted through the development to create scenic vistas and interesting golf strategies. Sightings of crocodile, hippo, antelope, buffalo and wild boar are commonplace, either on the course itself or in or next to the river running alongside several holes. Golfing hazards take on a new dimension at Leopard Creek for much of the water is home to hippos and the creature for which the adjacent river is named – crocodile. To single out a signature hole is brave as there are some memorable holes. Not for the faint-hearted, the par five 18th is not particularly long at 475m but the island green presents a tricky shot over water. The 13th is equally dramatic, with the green 'floating' above the Crocodile River which divides the course from the Kruger National Park. A creek first splits the fairway and then runs alongside the left hand side of the hole. The green is built out over the river, which runs underneath. Perfect Climate Malelane, with its temperate climate, offers year-round attractions – comfort, convenience and informal elegance. The winter season is an especially enjoyable time in Malelane with easy game-viewing and bird-watching, and off course - ideal weather for golf!
KRUGER PARK AREA, SOUTH AFRICA
Working closely with the Kruger National Park and nature conservation authorities, the Leopard Creek Golf Course was specifically designed to blend in with the surroundings, providing sophisticated leisure amenities in an undisturbed natural environment. Innovative architectural and landscaping techniques ensure that the golf course is in harmony with the environment, while lakes and small streams have been diverted through the development to create scenic vistas and interesting golf strategies. Sightings of crocodile, hippo, antelope, buffalo and wild boar are commonplace, either on the course itself or in or next to the river running alongside several holes. Golfing hazards take on a new dimension at Leopard Creek for much of the water is home to hippos and the creature for which the adjacent river is named – crocodile. To single out a signature hole is brave as there are some memorable holes. Not for the faint-hearted, the par five 18th is not particularly long at 475m but the island green presents a tricky shot over water. The 13th is equally dramatic, with the green 'floating' above the Crocodile River which divides the course from the Kruger National Park. A creek first splits the fairway and then runs alongside the left hand side of the hole. The green is built out over the river, which runs underneath. Perfect Climate Malelane, with its temperate climate, offers year-round attractions – comfort, convenience and informal elegance. The winter season is an especially enjoyable time in Malelane with easy game-viewing and bird-watching, and off course - ideal weather for golf!
Note:
Special thanks to a Golf Away Tours Partner, Pro Golf Safaris, for information and picture support.
Special thanks to a Golf Away Tours Partner, Pro Golf Safaris, for information and picture support.
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