South Africa has quietly become one of golf’s great all-round destinations. For travelling golfers, the appeal starts before the first swing: a favourable exchange rate means world-class courses, luxury accommodation and unforgettable dining often come at a fraction of the cost you’d expect elsewhere.
Added to that is the joy of no jet lag, meaning you arrive feeling fresh, focused and ready to play. Then there’s the golf itself. South Africa offers an extraordinary range of places to play, from classic parkland layouts and rolling inland courses to dramatic coastal links, where the ocean breeze is as much a factor as the pin position.
You can drive a few hours and feel like you’ve entered a completely different golfing world. One day you’re navigating mountain backdrops and indigenous fynbos shrubs, the next you’re fairway-side with views of the Indian Ocean.
Camps Bay Beach. Source: YGT
Beyond the courses, the country’s natural beauty, warm hospitality and rich culture elevate every round into a broader experience. South Africa isn’t just a golf trip; it’s an adventure – one that rewards curiosity, appetite and a love for the game in all its forms.
Golf travel experts Your Golf Travel take the hassle out of planning your trip and using their in-depth knowledge and experience, can put together a bespoke itinerary that is perfect for you, whatever your requirements.
Not only will your dedicated Golf Travel Specialist book your preferred tee-times on the most sought after courses, they will arrange your flights, transfers and accommodation, as well as throw in a few added extras, such as airport lounges, buggies and halfway hut beers.
Here, we take a closer look at two of the most popular South Africa experiences.
Itinerary One – The Western Cape
The Western Cape of South Africa is an incredible stretch, where the crashing waves
of the Atlantic meet the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.
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The itinerary takes in ever-popular Cape Town, the Stellenbosch Winelands, and the world-famous Garden Route which runs from Mossel Bay to Storms River.
There’s such a broad variety of attractions: take a cable car up Table Mountain; see lions, leopards and rhinos on a game drive at Gondwana; take a guided tour through South Africa’s finest wineries; try whale watching in Hermanus; or play the number one golf course in South Africa at Fancourt.
You will be spoilt for choice with things to do in the beautiful Western Cape.
Cape Town
The Mother City is the most popular destination in South Africa. Key attractions include the bustling V&A Waterfront, cool beach communities like Clifton and Camps Bay, Cape Point Nature Reserve, Robben Island and the colourful Bo-Kaap neighbourhood.
Play at the Royal Cape Golf Club, a classic parkland in the southern suburbs of Cape Town, home to the oldest golfing society in South Africa.
Steenberg Golf Club is nestled in the spectacular Constantiaberg Mountains, with a course designed by Peter Matkovich.
Steenberg Golf Club. Source: YGT
Stay at the 5-star resort on the Steenberg Estate for the ultimate stay and play experience. Clovelly Country Club is set in the Silvermine Valley a few miles south of Cape Town.
The course has spectacular views of both mountains and the ocean and plays slightly short but narrow, providing a sufficient challenge for all levels of golfer.
The Wineland’s and Hermanus
Just a short drive east of Cape Town takes you to the beautiful wineries of Stellenbosch and Constantia, where you can sample fine wines whilst overlooking the rolling landscape.
Travelling further south you will reach Hermanus, famous for its whale watching trips where, with luck, you can witness a spectacular display of water acrobatics from these incredible animals.
The quality of the golf courses in the Winelands region is superb. Arabella ranks among the top 10 in South Africa and has a magnificent hotel overlooking the course.
Arabella Hotel and Spa. Source: YGT
Pearl Valley with its stunning mountain backdrop is a Jack Nicklaus Signature design and has hosted the South African Open on three occasions.
Erinvale was one of the earliest courses in South Africa and is in a particularly beautiful spot among the sloping vineyards on Helderberg Mountain.
The Garden Route
The Garden Route is one of the planet’s most famous drives, spanning 200 km of scenic coastline dotted with white sandy beaches.
Stop off at laid back towns like Knysna and Plettenberg Bay or get your wildlife fix and a chance to sport the Big Five at Gondwana Game Reserve.
Fancourt is regarded as one of the best golf resorts in the country. All three courses here are highly regarded, but the Links Course is the most prestigious.
Fancourt’s Signature Hole. Source: YGT
Located in George in the heart of the Garden Route, it’s an ideal destination. The course at Pinnacle Point was co-designed by Peter Matkovich and Darren Clarke.
It is set along the stunning cliffs of Mossel Bay and has panoramic views over the Indian Ocean. Finally, the Pezula Championship Course’s extraordinary setting delivers breathtaking views of the Knysna Lagoon.
Itinerary Two – Golf and Safari
Sun City
Sun City is a world-famous luxury golf and leisure resort located around 90 miles northwest of Johannesburg bordering the Pilanesberg National Park, a malaria free zone which is home to the sacred Big Five.
It has two outstanding championship golf courses and is famous for hosting the annual Nedbank Golf Challenge held at the Gary Player Country Club course, the penultimate tournament in the Race to Dubai.
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Sun City provides four different accommodation options including the grand luxury of the Palace of the Lost City and the more contemporary Cabanas Hotel, offering something for everyone.
The Palace of the Lost City. Source: YGT
The Gary Player Country Club is arguably the most recognisable course in South Africa. Measuring more than 7,700 yards from the Championship tees, framed by the Pilansberg Mountains, it is revered as one of South Africa’s, and the world’s, top golf courses.
Also within the resort is another Gary Play design; the Lost City Course, a spectacular creation carved through dramatic landscape.
Whilst it is often in the shadow of the Country Club layout, Lost City is by no means inferior. Its 13th hole is the resort’s most amazing – should you find the water, as many do, you will have to contend with two-metre-long crocodiles to retrieve your ball!
Kruger National Park
It’s a short flight from Sun City to Kruger National Park. Kruger offers a wildlife experience that ranks with the best in Africa and is one of the largest game reserves on the continent.
It is home to the Big Five; lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and buffalo, along with hundreds of other diverse species of mammals and birds. The opportunity to play golf within such a landscape is an experience that will stay with you forever.
Kruger is home to another Gary Player masterpiece and perhaps the most iconic golf course in Africa: Leopard Creek. Since its inception in 1996, it has built an enviable international reputation for the quality and conditioning of the estate.
The course is also an annual feature on the European Tour, hosting the Alfred Dunhill Championship which attracts some of the best players in the world.
Accommodation options include Lukimbi Safari Lodge, set deep within the southern part of Kruger National Park. It is a place of rare sanctuary and wild beauty, perched on the banks of the Lwakahle River, offering breathtaking views and an immediate connection to the bush.
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Here on 15,000 hectares of exclusive wilderness you are invited into a world where elephants amble past your deck and the Big Five roam free.
Buhala Lodge is a family owned and run business which focuses on guest comfort and relaxation, paired with all the luxury you would expect. The ample outdoor veranda space provides guests an opportunity to relax and dine outside while admiring the gorgeous views of the Kruger National Park.
A trip to South Africa is a golf holiday in its most unforgettable form. From sunrise tee times framed by Table Mountain to fairways rolling along wild coastlines of the Indian Ocean.
World-class courses challenge and reward in equal measure, while warm hospitality, exceptional food, and legendary wines fill evenings with laughter and stories.
Add in close encounters with wildlife and the shared thrill of great shots and near misses, and this journey became far more than a golf holiday – it becomes a truly life-affirming experience.
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NOW HAVE YOUR SAY
Have you played golf in South Africa before? If so, what did you make of it? Which were your favourite courses you have played out there? Let us know by leaving a comment or a post on X!
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