south africa: Accommodations - Golf - Other Activities South Africa Golf Courses South Africa’s terrific temperate climate and bountiful natural beauty has helped make this country one of the great golfing destinations in the world. The majority of South Africa’s courses compare favorably with the best the world has to offer and, as an added bonus, they often feature incomparable views of the surrounding countryside. Where else can you play golf surrounded by wild animals one day and hemmed in by mountains and ocean the next? Golf has been popular in South Africa for over a century with the first club founded in the Cape in 1885. There are now hundreds of courses stretching from the fairest Cape to the sun-baked Highveld. One of the great tourism drawcards of South Africa is the golf. Ernie Els is always ranked in the world’s top ten and a number of great golfers like Retief Goosen are also lighting up the fairways. The Nedbank Sun City Challenge and President’s Cup are but two of the many tournaments played here. The real magic of a South African golf tour is a diversity of courses and their majestic backdrops. Legends including Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player have designed most of the courses, but Africa does the rest - dozing crocodiles minding the 13th hole at Sun City’s Lost City course or a wandering giraffe on the green at Kruger. Pezula Golf Club Designed by: David Dale, Ronald Fream Par 72; 6,220 yards The Pezula Championship course, adjacent to the Pezula Resort Hotel and Spa, is a challenging layout featuring undulating fairways winding through the southern Cape landscape. Pezula is the frequent recipient of prestigious awards including “Best New Course in South Africa” in 2001 and “Most Outstanding Golf Resort” in 2006. [BACK TO TOP] Erinvale Designed by: Gary Player Par 72; 6,500 yards Erinvale’s first nine holes are on the low, flat part of a Winelands estate and the back nine are on high, undulating ground. Throughout the course there are majestic mountain backdrops, panoramic views of the surrounding [BACK TO TOP] Leopard Creek Designed by: Johann Rupert, Gary Player Par 72; 6,533 yards Leopard Creek opened in 1996 as an exclusive club for “likeminded individuals sharing common values”. Innovative architectural and landscaping techniques ensure that the golf course is in harmony with the environment. Lakes and small streams have been diverted through the development to create scenic vistas and interesting golf strategies. 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 – the crocodile. [BACK TO TOP] Fancourt - The Links Designed by: Gary Player Par 72; 6,362 yards The Links at Fancourt is considered the most impressive golf design and construction in South Africa. The links is a thorough test for every golfer, and is ranked among the top courses in the world. Gary Player’s design team spent months studying the classic links courses of Scotland and Ireland and then, armed with inspiration from the best that those countries had to offer, embarked on the ambitious task of recreating some of their finest holes. They succeeded and created a genuine links course on what was once an airfield. [BACK TO TOP] Fancourt - The Montagu Designed by: Gary Player, David McLay Kidd Par 72; 5,985 yards The Montagu is the much celebrated parkland course at Fancourt and has been ranked as the top course in South Africa. Montagu has recently undergone major renovations and has two completely new holes – the 1st and the 9th. [BACK TO TOP] Fancourt - The Outeniqua Designed by: Gary Player Par 72; 5,996 yards The Outeniqua is another majestic 18-hole parkland layout at Fancourt. Similar in character to the Montagu, its challenging design and fine condition will ensure an excellent test for all golfers. [BACK TO TOP] Fancourt - Bramble Hill Designed by: Gary Player Par 70; 6,616 yards Bramble Hill is the newest course at Fancourt, built in response to a need for an 18-hole facility that would be accessible to the community of George and surrounding areas. The course itself is challenging enough to test the most proficient golfer, yet it is sure to be an enjoyable round, even for beginners. The course shares many characteristics with its highly pedigreed sibling – undulating fairways, raised greens and water hazards. [BACK TO TOP] sun City Designed by: Gary Player Par 72; 7,636 yards South Africa's most famous golfer has designed an interesting course with a "links" feel – but which includes some decidedly local hazards. Two Baobab trees guard one green, and some greens and tees have been terraced into the side of the Pilanesberg mountains. With its desert style design and the contrast between green fairways and the surrounding bush this is a course with great appeal. Also to be noted is the use of bunkers and extensive water-features – and at the 13th hole, 38 crocodiles await. [BACK TO TOP] Plettenberg Bay Designed by: Fred Hawtree Par 72; 6,510 yards Set in the Piesang (Banana) Valley, Plettenberg Bay Country Club is on South Africa's famous Garden Route. Distances on the course vary from 524 yards to a scant 130 yards, but challenges await the golfer everywhere. This course is in the midst of a nature reserve and is the home of a vast array of bird and other wildlife. [BACK TO TOP] Steenberg Designed by: Peter Matkovich Par 72; 7,075 yards This exclusive course occupies the oldest wine estate outside of Cape Town. It winds around and through vineyards and has its share of water hazards. The flat topography has been transformed into an attractive layout, with both parkland and wetland features. The course is designed to reward those who successfully execute a carefully planned strategy. It has much to offer to players of every level. [BACK TO TOP]