Region: Cape Winelands, Garden Route & Bushveld, South Africa | Best Time: October–April (Southern Hemisphere summer) | Nearest Airport: Cape Town (CPT) or Johannesburg O.R. Tambo (JNB)
Editor’s Note: South Africa offers golf at a scale and intensity unlike anywhere else. Wildlife roams the fairways at Leopard Creek; the Cape Winelands provide extraordinary parkland conditions at Pearl Valley and Arabella; Sun City’s Lost City is resort golf’s most theatrical spectacle. Combined with the food, wine and safari culture, this is golf travel at its most complete.
The 5 Courses to Play
1. Leopard Creek Country Club ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Designer: Gary Player (1996)
- Par / Yardage: 72 / 7,015 yards
- Why Play It: Bordering the Kruger National Park — hippos, elephants and crocodiles patrol the Crocodile River bordering the course. The 13th hole shares a boundary with the park. Arguably the most extraordinary natural setting in world golf. Access by invitation; pursue aggressively through safari lodges.
2. Sun City — Lost City Golf Course ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Designer: Gary Player (1993)
- Par / Yardage: 72 / 7,649 yards | Rating: 76.8 / 143
- Why Play It: The most theatrical golf resort on earth — the 13th hole’s island green is surrounded by a crocodile pit (38 live Nile crocodiles). Host of the Nedbank Golf Challenge. The Palace Hotel and resort amenities are Las Vegas in the bush.
- Book: suncity.co.za
3. Pearl Valley Golf Estate ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Designer: Jack Nicklaus (2003)
- Par / Yardage: 72 / 7,004 yards | Rating: 74.2 / 138
- Why Play It: The finest parkland course in Africa — set in the Paarl wine valley with the Drakenstein mountains as backdrop. Nicklaus’s characteristic risk-reward design combined with the extraordinary Cape Winelands setting makes this a must-play. The estate hotel is exceptional.
- Book: pearlvalley.co.za
4. Arabella Golf Estate ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Designer: Peter Matkovich (2000)
- Par / Yardage: 72 / 6,808 yards
- Why Play It: Beside the Bot River Lagoon in the Overberg — every hole has a water view. The Arabella Hotel & Spa makes this one of South Africa’s finest golf-wellness destinations; post-round spa treatments with lagoon views are extraordinary value.
- Book: arabellahotel.co.za
5. Erinvale Golf Club ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Designer: Gary Player (1993)
- Par / Yardage: 72 / 6,672 yards
- Why Play It: Host of the 1996 Alfred Dunhill Cup — in the shadow of the Helderberg Mountains, 45 minutes from Cape Town. The most accessible championship course in the Western Cape; open to visitors, excellent conditions, and genuinely challenging. The clubhouse views are stunning.
- Book: erinvale.co.za
Where to Stay & Practical Information
- Delaire Graff Estate (5★): The most beautiful hotel in South Africa, in the Stellenbosch wine valley. Art collection, Michelin-calibre restaurant and spa. Check availability on Expedia →
- Arabella Hotel & Spa (5★): The best golf-spa combination in Africa. Spa packages with Bot River Lagoon views.
- Getting There: Cape Town (CPT) or Johannesburg (JNB) for direct flights from UK (11 hours). Car hire essential for the Winelands courses. Sun City is 2 hours north of Johannesburg by road.
- Exchange Rate Advantage: South African Rand makes SA golf exceptional value — world-class courses at 40–60% of European green fee prices.