Golf Courses in South Africa

Arabella Golf Estate

The golf course is widely regarded as the best course in the Western Cape and was ranked in the Top 10 in South Africa by both “Complete Golfer” and “Golf Digest”. The awards abound here as every aspect of this development has set standards to compete with any equivalent resort anywhere in the world.

The course has been highly acclaimed for its interesting blend of holes, each clearly defined and each making the most of the natural changes in elevation on this spectacular terrain. The lagoon that borders five of the holes has been declared a world heritage site and is home to hundreds of bird species

Homepage: www.arabella.co.za

Pearl Valley Golf Estate

In the history of golf - and golf course design - no man has achieved more than Jack Nicklaus. Universally acknowledged as the Golfer of the Century, his understanding of the game - and the course - is unequalled. He sees it as the sum of his knowledge, representing almost 50 years of international competition and decades of designing many of the world's most famous courses.

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.

Homepage: www.pearlvalley.co.za

Pezula Golf Estate

The Pezula (formerly Sparrebosch) golf course is situated in one of the most spectacular locations in South Africa. Situated atop one of the Knysna heads, the high vantage point allows for majestic panoramic views. On one side lies the tranquil Knysna lagoon backed by the Tsitsikama mountain range. On the other side the ever fascinating Indian Ocean crashes onto rugged and dramatic cliffs.

The course has a European feel, but the magnificent vistas over the ocean and the Outeniqua mountains are pure Garden Route ­ one of South Africa’s most scenic areas.

Homepage: www.pezula.com

Fancourt Golf Estate - Outeniqua

Outeniqua'' means ''Man with an abundance of honey'' and, while it is uncertain as to how the mountain range which broods over the course (Fancourts’ ''second'' facility) acquired this name, a round of golf on the Iayout so named is indeed the sweetest of treats.

Although the Montagu layout is thought of as having the older and better pedigree, both courses as we know them now are composite designs, the current routings having grown out of the expanded possibilities resulting from the building of a third and then a fourth nine.

Homepage: www.fancourt.co.za

Fancourt Golf Estate - Montagu

The Fancourt Resort and estate complex near the Garden Route Town of George must be the premier golf resort destination. Its three championship courses (Montagu, Outeniqua and The Links), augmented by state-of-the-art practice and teaching facilities, are a measure of the finest we have to offer.

The course is also serenely beautiful. Although a residential estate, the architecturally themed dwellings are set well back and away from the playing corridors. Over the whole presides the ever-present backdrop of the Outeniqua mountains.

Homepage: www.fancourt.co.za

Fancourt Golf Estate - The Links

Unique to South Africa, The Links golf course was officially opened in November 2000, by owner Dr Hasso Plattner and course designer, Mr Gary Player.

The Links hosted the prestigious golf event, The Presidents Cup in 2003. The event saw players such as Tiger Woods, Davis Love and Phil Mickelson competing against players like Ernie Els, Vijay Singh and Nick Price. Without doubt the biggest golfing event in the history of South African Golf. In a first for South Africa, the tees and fairways are a mix of four cool season grasses: Kentucky Blue, Rye, Fescue and Bent, with the greens a dominant Bent.

Homepage: www.fancourt.co.za

Gary Player Country Club

The Gary Player Country Club at the famed Sun City Resort has been ranked as the top course in South Africa and is acknowledged as a difficult and demanding course. Since 1979 it has been home to the Nedbank Million Dollar Golf Challenge. The course requires stamina and accuracy from players.

The comparatively flat nature of the golf course is misleading - water hazards, cunningly sited bunkers and pins hidden away on kidney shaped greens makes up for the lack of gradient. A distinguishing feature of the course is its green's complexes, with strategically placed bunkers, swales and mounds that protect the super slick clover shaped greens.

Homepage: www.suninternational.com

Lost City Country Club

Golfers are astounded by the breathtaking beauty of the par-72 Lost City Golf course. The rich green fairways give a dramatic contrast to the bushveld backdrop and the barren waste bunkers are a special feature of this intriguing course.

The desert style design of the golf course has an exotic allure all of its own and designer, Gary Player has acknowledged it as one of his favourite courses.

The Lost City Golf Course is flexible: playing off the forward tee a course length of 5 953 metres, extending to 6 983 metres off the back tee.

Homepage: www.suninternational.com

Pecanwood Golf Estate

This upmarket residential estate on the banks of the Hartebeespoort Dam, boast the first Jack Nicklaus signature golf course in Africa. It is still a relatively young layout (opened in 1998), but the technology, expertise and attention to detail that has gone into its construction means that its conditioning is unsurpassed in South Africa.

The layout bears Nicklaus hallmarks of generously wide, collecting fairways and large multi tiered greens complexes. It is difficult for a golfer to loose a ball at Pecanwood – other than in a water hazard.

Homepage: www.pecanwood.co.za

Silver Lakes Country Club

Silver Lakes is a highly sought after, up market, residential and golfing estate in Pretoria. Apart from its elite residential and golfing community Silver Lakes is differentiated by the exquisite natural environment that has been created with the view in mind of making it accessible to all users of the estate from golfers to residents.

More rare bird species like the African Spoonbills, Purple Gallinules and the magnificent Fish Eagle are also found on the estate. The surrounding grasslands and golf course ensure that grassland birds such as Whydas, Widows, Larks and Grass Owls are easily seen in a relatively small area.

Homepage: www.silverlakes.co.za

Zebula Country Club & Spa

Situated a short drive from Mabalingwe Nature Reserve, Zebula Country Club & Spa lies within 660 hectares of natural bushveld. For renowned golf course architect Peter Matkovich this is the realisation of a long time dream, combining the wonders of golf, the challenges of the African bushveld and the uniqueness of its natural wildlife.

A sign of the commitment to ecotourism and the integrity of the area is evident in the positioning of the golf course. Blending naturally into the bush and adhering to guidelines sensitive to the environment, Zebula is a prime example of an eco-sensitive development.

Homepage: www.zebula.co.za

George Golf Club

The George Golf Club takes its name from the town and nestles against the imposing Outeniqua Mountains. George, capital of the Southern Cape and SA’s sixth oldest town lies in the heart of the Garden Route.

The course presents a delightful golfing experience. The game was played here since 1886 and although the course has been modernised throughout the years, it contained its classic feel and it is no surprise that it is consistently rated among South Africa’s finest parkland facilities. The perfect setting for holiday golf.

Homepage: www.georgegolfclub.co.za

Elements Private Golf Reserve

Elements Private Golf Reserve starts with the advantage of location in one of the most breathtaking malaria-free bushveld regions of southern Africa, offers superior accommodation, and the golf course is an unsurpassed Peter Matkovich design.

These elements come together to make Elements Private Golf Reserve one of South Africa's best luxury private golf clubs. More than anything, Peter Matkovich believes that golf is not just about scoring; it is a walk in the park, an experience for all the senses and hours of incomparable therapy.

Homepage: www.elementspgr.co.za

Pinnacle Point Beach and Golf Resort

The Pinnacle Point Golf Course is an immaculate eighteen-hole championship golf course, co-designed by renowned golf architect Peter Matkovich and professional golfer Darren Clarke.

The Pinnacle Point Golf Course is an immaculate eighteen-hole championship golf course, co-designed by renowned golf architect Peter Matkovich and professional golfer Darren Clarke.

The golf course stretches along four kilometers of spectacular coastline and boasts dramatic cliff-side holes and over 1000 acres of unspoiled beachfront.

Homepage: www.pinnaclepoint.co.za

Simola Golf & Country Estate

Simola Golf & Country Estate occupies one of the most beautiful tracts of countryside on South Africa’s world renowned Garden Route. This Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course offers perfect golfing conditions, free of wind despite the high vantage point, and conveniently situated, only 6 kilometres from the town of Knysna.

A five star, 40 suite resort hotel and Wellness Centre and Spa together with a new golf club house, conferencing facilities and gourmet restaurant; will be complete by the end of 2007.

Simola Sales Office +27 (0)44 382 0671
Golf & Pro shop +27 (0)44 382 0944
Golf Memberships +27 (0)44 382 0944
Simola Lodge Restaurant +27 (0)44 382 4116/9