Best golf courses in South Africa

Being named the best-conditioned course in the Western Cape 6 times doesn’t happen by accident. Enjoy the immaculate Jack Nicklaus Signature Course situated in the Paarl-Franschhoek Valley with some of the most incredible course aesthetics around. Host to the South African Open, relish the experience and don’t forget your camera as you weave your way around the emerald grass fairways.

Currently sat in pole position and at number 1 in the Top 100 Golf Courses ranking in South Africa, the Links Course can be only described as the hallmark as part of the private Fancourt Hotel & Golf Estate. Designed by Gary Player and possibly his greatest feat as an architect, the course offers a memorable yet tough experience with the Outeniqua Mountains towering above. Host to some of the most prestigious tournaments in the world, this unique course deserves its place in our top golf courses in South Africa.

A connection with nature and genuine respect for the surrounding ecosystem is a factor that Arabella Golf Club takes great pride in. The 8th hole is coupled with an amazing backdrop of the Bot River Lagoon, making it one of the most aesthetically pleasing par 5’s in the country. Your passion for golf should most certainly bring you here to experience an honest test of golf and a perfect example of respecting nature when out on the course.

The Montagu course should definitely not be overlooked when staying at the Fancourt Estate. It consistently ranks highly in South Africa’s top 10 best golf courses proving its worth as one of the finest parkland layouts around. Upgraded in 2005, the course resembles the features of many championship spec courses and is maintained to the highest of standards.

Host to the ‘Million Dollar Golf Challenge’ since 1981 this famous course built in an extinct volcanic crater has firmly stapled itself in our South African favourites. Do not be fooled by the flat landscape as this incredibly hard course will eat you up and swallow you out before you can shout ‘fore left!’. Designed by Gary Player himself, his architectural intelligence has formed this gem of a golf course with slick greens protected by water hazards, bunkers and mounds. Reckon you’ve got the distance to reach par-5 9th in two at a huge 596-yards?

You are truly spoilt for choice at the Outeniqua as there are arguably 4 to 5 signature holes to choose from. The parkland layout provides a more forgiving round perfect for any handicapper but still has water and bunker hazards to be wary of on no fewer than 11 holes. Aptly named after the incredible mountain range behind, the walk between the 11th and 10th will remain in your memory as one of the most breath-taking scenic views.

In the dunes of Algoa Bay, the only true links-style course in South Africa has wide undulating fairways to tackle the constant barrage of Indian Ocean coastal winds. Wayward shots will be lost amongst the dense rough and accuracy is a must in order to protect the scorecard at this prestigious tournament host. It’s never comforting when the green is hidden away uphill and out of sight on the signature 449-yard par 4 13th but the elevated green will provide a sight to behold once up there.

Arguably the most visually pleasing set of 18-holes on the South African coastline, you really do feel what the name translates to; ‘high up with the gods’. Part of the Pezula Resort and covering a mammoth 254 hectares on the clifftops of Knysna, the signature hole is the par-4 14th, where the course forces you to choose between using your head or your heart. Big hitters will need an accurate tee shot when going for the green as anything wayward will be swallowed up by the clifftop’s unforgiving vegetation.

The 5* golfing experience at the Simola Estate is another fine example of working with nature, not against it. Jack Nicklaus has hit a metaphorical hole in one with the design of this course and has an unusual amount of five par 5’s and five par 3’s. The elevated tee at the short par-4 2nd offers a birdie opportunity, but also the chance to sit back and take in the truly outstanding scenery. Nestled in the Simola Ridge means it has a rest bite from the harrowing winds that most of South Africa’s coastal courses suffer from. This should be on everyone’s bucket list!