English Golf Courses

Golf in South Africa

South Africa stands on the brink of becoming one of the world's most popular golf destinations and there are various packages, deals and trips that give you a great taste of what this country can provide golfers. It has certainly produced some of the world's best-loved players of the game, most notably Gary Player and, more recently, Ernie Els and Retief Goosen.

Indeed, South Africa is more than just a great destination for golfers. This is an inspiring country that will have you yearning for a return as soon as you depart. It is a country where millions of people around the world want to call 'home'. For instance, for all his wealth, Ernie Els refuses to conform to the demands of modern day goflers and live in either London or the US. For Els, nowhere on earth has a bigger pull than South Africa.

In Cape Town you can be accommodated in the tranquil ambience of the President Hotel, close to the city centre with fabulous views over Bantry Bay. Your golf will be played on a variety of courses, including the magnificent parkland setting of Royal Cape Golf Course, the Atlantic links course of Milnerton Golf Club overlooking Table Bay and the Clovelly course with its breathtaking mountain views.

Countless tour operators specialise in organising golf breaks to this part of the world. There are various things to do and places to see, such as Cape Peninsular, where you can enjoy the rugged majesty of South Africa's scenery. Equally fascinating is a trip to Cape Town, where you can explore the dynamic city and before finishing the day with a trip up one of the natural wonders of the world, Table Mountain.

You could also travel to Durban. Here, you can enjoy play on two golf courses, the first being Selborne Lodge, the premier course on the Natal south coast. The second layout is the Wild Coast Country Club, designed by the revered Robert Trent Jones Jnr, which has breathtaking coastal views - a feature common in many of South Africa's golf courses.

The Sun City Resort is widely regarded as South Africa's premier holiday resort. It has two magnificent golf courses; the Gary Player Country Club and the desert-style Lost City, both designed by Player himself. The Lost City boasts wonderful, awe-inspiring views across the bushveld, although rumour has it there are plenty of crocodiles at the 13th hole, so be careful not to veer off the fairway!

The course comprises 28,000 sq meters of water hazards, so golf carts are a regular feature.
The Country Club course is host to the prestigious Nedbank Golf Challenge, previously won by Sergio Garcia among others. Although it is a fair test for highly skilled players, the clever design and multiple tee formats allow it to be enjoyed by higher-handicapped players.

Situated on the northwest coast of South Africa is the exclusive and deeply relaxing Zimbali Country Club, a treat for all those who like luxury on tap. With a razor edge pool overlooking the valley with views all the way to the ocean, this really is a place you will never forget. And that's without mentioning the golf course. A real test for the keen golfer, a video camera is recommended to capture on film what your friends might not believe.

South Africa is a wonderful golfing country that is becoming recognised as a major golfing destination, alongside the likes of the Algarve and sections of Spain. You can choose what type of accommodation suits you best, from two-bedroom apartments, five-star luxury comforts to countryside villas, the choice is yours.