Golf in South Africa
10 of South Africa's superb golf courses in South Africa are:
Leopard Creek
The Leopard Creek designed by Gary Player is rated the best golf course in South Africa, and listed at number-25 in Golf Digest USA's list of top 100 courses outside the United States. The course is situated on the border of the world famous Kruger National Park and thus uses the natural environment as its backdrop.
Gary Player Country Club
The Gary Player Country Club at Sun City, ranked 29th in Golf Digest's list of 100 best courses outside of the USA, is probably the most famous course in South Africa featuring two holes that rank in Golf Online’s list of the 500 best holes in golf: the 520 metre par-five ninth, and the 402 metre par-four eighteenth. The course is one of the longest and toughest in South Africa.
Wild Coast Country Club
The Wild Coast Country Club designed by Robert Trent Jones is set against the background of the Indian Ocean. The course is beautiful, but difficult especially with the wind that comes occasionally from the coast. The par-three thirteenth, which measures only 146 metres, was included in Golf Online's selection of the 500 best holes in golf.
Fancourt Hotel, Country Club and Golf Estate
Fancourt Hotel, Country Club and Golf Estate located in the scenic southern Cape, designed by Gary player, is ranked 59th by Golf Digest. Fancourt hosted the Presidents clash in 2003 and the Women’s World Cup of Golf in 2005. The par-three second can be seen as the most striking hole with a bunker in the heart of the green.
Durban Country Club
The Durban Country Club, ranked 62nd by Golf Digest in the list of top 100 golf courses outside of the USA has hosted 16 South African Open Championships, more than any other club in South Africa. Golf Online has included three of the course's holes in its list of top 500 holes in golf, these are the par-three second measuring 176-metres, then the par-five third, which measures from 460 metres to 513 metres and the par-four fifth with its 461 metres. The third hole is rated one of the best 18 holes in the world. The wind created by the channels can provided great difficulty for many players.
Arabella Country Club
Arabella Country Club, designed by Pete Matkovich and ranked 100th in Golf Digest , has been host to the Nelson Mandela Invitational since 2003 thus drawing many of the world's top golfers, and celebrities to its course. The course borders the largest natural lagoon in South Africa providing a magnificent landscape.
Glendower Golf Club
The Glendower Golf Club, which was built in 1973, was host to the Transvaal Open only two years after it was constructed. The course has under gone major renovations since then with all holes being rebuilt. The South African Open was held in 1987, 1993 and 1997. The par-four tenth is rated one of the 500 best holes in golf by Golf Online.
River Club Golf Course
The River Club Golf Course in Sandton, Johannesburg is known for its exclusivity and pristine condition. Regrettably, only members and their guests may have access to this picturesque layout and 6 500 metre course.
George Golf Club
The George Golf club is a scenic course, packed with trees. The course features four par-three holes, with three of them after the first 9 holes. The signature hole is the last of the par-threes, with 181 metres. This hole is rated one of the 500 best holes in the world.
Pecanwood Golf and Country Club Estate
The Pecanwood Golf and Country Club Estate bordering the Hartebeespoort Dam and designed by Jack Nicklaus is set against the backdrop of the beautiful Magaliesberg Mountains and thus provides dazzling surroundings. The course is fairly flat but still offers a challenge.