Golf Holidays in South Africa

South Africa Golf Holiday Destinations

Those familiar with the country will understand the phenomenal natural beauty of the landscape, and it is this incredible terrain that forms the basis of South Africa's best courses. The country's golfing precedents were set by the incredible Gary Player, who is inextricably linked with the Sun City Resort in the rugged hinterland near Johannesburg, where a select band of professionals vie for the annual Million Dollar Challenge.

While Sun City was for many years the leader in South African golf, and still sets the benchmark, but there is a new kid on the block in the shape of the awesome Fancourt resort. Boasting a number of the country's premier courses, Fancourt has burst on to the scene as one of the world's best new golf destinations. These golfing options are enriched by the possibility of combining your holiday with a safari excursion to see the legendary ‘Big 5'. More and more golfing enthusiasts are visiting South Africa to see what all the fuss is about, and are coming back converted - make South Africa the next fantastic golf holiday destination you can check off your list.

Quick Facts

• There are more than 500 golf courses in South Africa
• Cape Town's average Monthly temperature ranges from 13°C (55°F) to 23°C (73°F)
• Flights are 11hr (Johannesburg) to 11h 30 min (Cape Town) from the UK
• Home to five European Tour events (Alfred Dunhill Championship, BMW SA Open, Joburg Open, Tshwane Open & Nedbank Golf Challenge)

Reasons to visit

• Legend Golf & Safari Resort Xtreme 19th (Longest & highest Par 3 in the world)
• Enjoy exhilarating safaris
• Explore Table Mountain, V&A Waterfront and everything Cape Town has to offer
• Incredible local food and wine
• Off-course activities including cage diving and zip lining

Flying time

Depending on whether you wish to fly direct or not, the flight times will naturally vary. From London airports, airlines such as South African Airways, Virgin and Your Golf Travel partners British Airways provide direct flights to Johannesburg which takes around 11 hours. For direct flights to Cape Town from the capital, expect a flight time of approximately 11 hours and 30 minutes.

Non-direct flights are also available from airports outside of London, including Edinburgh, Glasgow and Manchester via Istanbul or Dubai.

Weather in South Africa

On the whole, South Africa boasts a much better climate than here in the UK, however across different regions and cities, the temperatures vary. In Cape Town, the best time to travel is between September and April, especially if you want to make the most of the surreal experience of whale watching.

If you’re looking for destinations within South Africa to travel all year round then consider Johannesburg or the coastal city of Durban; both offer a brilliant golfing climate throughout the winter and summer months.

Handy information

• Time difference: GMT +2
• Local currency: South African Rand
• Language: English
• Cost of a pint: 13 Rand (£0.79)

Recommended for

Championship Golf

As the most famous and most successful golfer to ever come out of South Africa, it comes as no surprise that Gary Player has had a hand in many of its exceptional championship courses. At Pearl Valley, he got a helping hand from fellow legend Jack Nicklaus, while perhaps his most notable is the Gary Player Course at Sun City Resort, the host of the annual Nedbank Challenge on the European Tour. Of course, the Western Cape’s Erinvale is another of player’s masterpieces and has hosted the South African Airways Open as well as the 1996 World Cup of Golf, which South African Ernie Els won with fellow countryman Wayne Westner. The two premier championship golf destinations are at Durban Country Club, 16 time South African Open host and the three world class courses at Fancourt.

Societies

Sun City is a spectacular resort tailored for larger groups of golfers; not only can you test yourself the two championship courses, but also enjoy the unique accommodation. The Palace of the Lost City has been recognised as one of the best hotels in South Africa and along with 338 rooms on offer, visiting golfers can take advantage of the brilliant facilities too. While Sun City is fantastic and the luxurious allure of Fancourt is ever present, Cape Town is the perfect base for groups and societies; the bustling city centre, stunning V&A Waterfront and catalogue of brilliant hotels, resorts and golf courses make it extremely popular.

Couples

Couples heading to South Africa have a wealth of options to choose from when looking for a romantic getaway. Cape Town is always a popular choice with the brilliant dining options at the V&A Waterfront as well as the stunning backdrop of Table Mountain. Pearl Valley isn’t just home to a wonderful golf course, the 5* hotel in Stellenbosch has everything you need as a travelling couple, from luxurious accommodation to state-of-the-art facilities and even an unforgettable wine tasting experience. Over in Knysna, Conrad Pezula is another magnificent 5* hotel which overlooks the championship course and has won several awards for its opulence and class. Potentially the best suited destination for couples would be Fancourt; a stay in the romantic Manor House or farmhouse suites are unrivalled for traditional charm and hospitality.

Night Life

If you wish to extend your drinking beyond the 19th hole, then there are a some brilliant destinations to do so. Cape Town is an obvious choice with a brilliant array of bars and clubs set on different strips and ensure a lively evening. For those in the area looking for something a little bit more chilled, then the V&A Waterfront is brilliant for dining out with beautiful views of the harbour; the Radisson Blu Hotel is the perfect base for an evening in Cape Town. Also a lively choice is the Stellenbosch town centre, a place where many university students head to for an affordable evening partying.

Luxury Hotels

Table Bay is widely considered as Cape Town’s most exclusive hotel and justifies this with complete excellence throughout. Set on the V&A Waterfront, the hotel’s location is as enviable as the brilliant services provided to guests. Stylish guest rooms, award winning restaurants and state-of-the-art spa all contributes to its worthy 5* status. Also in Cape Town and close to many of the championship golf courses nearby, One & Only Cape Town is a lavish, modern hotel boasting a mix of urban chic and traditional South African design to create a unique elegance.

Off-Course Activities

One of the biggest attractions of a golf holiday in South Africa is the incredible off-course activities to experience. If you’re heading to Cape Town then you can take in the immense culture by exploring the museums, galleries and wineland tours. For an exhilarating safari, the Port Elizabeth Game Reserve or Kruger National Park are both surreal, allowing you to get up close and personal to some of the world’s most incredible wildlife.

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