Boasting diverse cultures and a no less diverse range of activities, it is no surprise that South Africa offers excellent golfing holidays! There are plenty to choose from and many are frequented by professionals alike so you’ll be sure to enjoy the challenge too. Check out some of our choices…
Sun City
Sun City is home to some of South Africa’s foremost golf courses; The Gary Player Golf Course and The Lost City Golf Course, having both been designed by professional golfer Gary Player, you know that by coming here you’ll experience nothing short of an exhilarating game. The designs boast a challenging round to golfers of all skill levels and offers unexpected hurdles.
Start off at the Gary Player Course, with 18 holes and a par of 72 this prestigious course features fairways and strategically placed bunkers that will provide your round with interesting challenges. Water hazards are scattered throughout the course and will test your abilities, whether you’re a beginner or golfing pro! The 8,000 yards of course are filled with regular changes in elevation, bent-grass greens and perfect playing conditions to ensure you have the best game.
When you’ve finished on the Gary Player course, head over to The Lost City Course; with a change in terrain comes a change in playing style, you’ll be faced with a desert-like course, surrounded by the stunning natural views of South Africa; there are still park areas so it really will provide an assortment of golfing experiences.
100 hectares of course incorporates 28,000sqm of water, including an interesting and rather intimidating challenge that you will notice on your approach to the 13th hole; Nile crocodiles bask in the sunshine and wade in the water, so if your ball ends up getting a little too close for comfort we don’t recommend going after it!
When you’ve worn the green thin, why not discover what the rest of this amazing resort has to offer? Suitable for all the family you can experience a truly memorable day together. Take the kids to the water parks, such as The Valley of the Waves; here you will find a sandy beach and a myriad of intense flume rides. Head across to Sun City’s Waterworld where you’ll find a man-made beach hosting wake-boarding and cruises!
As Sun City is a couple of hours away from Johannesburg Airport, why not hire a car and really take in the sights on your way here? Doing so will enable you to drive to the Madikwe Game Reserve, which is just an hour from the resort, and as no trip to Africa would be complete without a safari, this is a must. Marvel at the cheetah and spotted hyena that live in this 75,000 hectare reserve; the perfect way to compliment your holiday.
Arabella
Just over an hour’s drive from Cape Town you’ll find The Arabella Hotel and Spa, so why not hire a car from the airport and enjoy the scenic route. Come on a long break with friends and play a few rounds on the golf course. The course is brilliant in its design and complements the natural beauty surrounding the resort.
While on the green, you’ll notice that the rolling fairways and cleverly placed bunkers are providing nothing less than a unique golfing experience; and set along the banks of the Bot River Lagoon you’ll feel completely relaxed during your game.
The 18 hole par 72 course is of championship quality and is currently ranked at number 5 in South Africa by Golf Digest, a fact which is certainly reassuring. It undoubtedly confirms that this is one of the best golf courses at which to spend your long weekend. A place of beauty, each hole poses a new challenge and a different picture.
Created by architect Peter Matkovich, many pros and celebrities alike have donned their argyle gear and golfing gloves at this location, including Gary Player and actor Samuel L. Jackson. High praise from professionals for this course will frequently be heard, not only on the standard of the course itself but of the immaculate scenery, the excellent warm-up range, halfway house, as well as the bars and restaurants.
Finish up on the course and head to the Arabella spa, providing opulence, privacy and rejuvenation, with a myriad of treatments on offer where you can relax after a hard day’s work out on the green. If you’d rather spend your spare time being a little more active then why not head out and explore everything else on offer? There’s quad biking and kayaking for the adventurous plus horse-back riding as well as sandy beaches.
Round the whole day off by taking a stroll in the relaxing botanical gardens and vineyards; whatever you decide to do you’ll end up feeling fulfilled and relaxed, all at the same time.
Enhance your holiday in South Africa by staying at one of these resorts, you’ll find a vast selection of things to do and there will be no shortage of activities to keep your days occupied. South Africa is truly an excellent golfing destination waiting to be enjoyed.
