South African Golf Courses
Help Me PlanCape Town
Cape Town and its surrounding area feature some of South Africa's top courses.
The Arabella Golf Course, set along the Kleinmond Lagoon, has long been considered one of the Western Cape’s top layouts. About an hour from Cape Town, it’s a rewarding addition to any golf tour.
This links-style course sits on the Atlantic shoreline with sweeping views of Table Mountain. It’s a short, convenient drive from Cape Town’s city center and suits a range of handicaps.
On the outskirts of Paarl, Boschenmeer offers a scenic, challenging round set against rugged mountain backdrops—about an hour’s drive from Cape Town in the Cape Winelands.
Erinvale lies below the Helderberg range with views toward False Bay. Notably, it has hosted the Golf World Cup. It’s roughly a 40-minute drive from central Cape Town.
Founded in 1910, Mowbray is a manicured parkland course with views of Devil’s Peak and Table Mountain. It has hosted numerous championships, including the South African Open.
In the Franschhoek valley, Pearl Valley is framed by the Drakenstein and Simonsberg ranges. Expect immaculate conditioning about 45 minutes from Cape Town.
South Africa’s oldest golf club, established in 1885, Royal Cape is a must-play for history and classic parkland golf in Cape Town.
A modern addition to Cape Town’s roster, Steenberg has quickly become one of the city’s most desirable rounds and regularly features in national rankings.
Garden Route
Dramatic ocean and mountain views are a hallmark of Garden Route courses.
Among the world’s most renowned layouts, the Fancourt Links hosted the 2003 Presidents Cup and consistently ranks at or near the top in South Africa.
The Gary Player-designed Montagu is a picturesque challenge for all handicaps and a perennial favorite for many visiting golfers.
Outeniqua pairs clever shot-making tests with sweeping views of its namesake mountains, delivering a scenic, enjoyable round.
A beautifully manicured parkland course in the heart of the Garden Route, with the option to walk with a caddie or ride in a cart.
Designed by Ernie Els, Oubaai blends clifftop ocean panoramas to the south with mountain vistas to the north for a memorable round.
Set atop the Knysna Heads, Pezula overlooks the Indian Ocean and challenges players with elevation, exposure, and a championship setup.
Opened in 2006 to rave reviews, Pinnacle Point delivers cliff-hugging holes and dramatic shot values on South Africa’s south coast.
Surrounded by a small nature reserve in a premier coastal town, this parkland layout is known for its setting and birdlife.
Jack Nicklaus’s first signature course on the Garden Route, Simola offers holes with views across the Knysna Lagoon or River.
Gauteng
South Africa’s economic heartland offers a mix of parkland and links-inspired courses.
Located in Waterkloof, Pretoria Country Club dates to 1910 and was significantly revamped in 2004–2005, yielding today’s refined parkland layout.
Home to two superb parkland courses, with the East Course the championship test. It has staged the South African Open multiple times and hosted Commonwealth amateur events.
Peter Matkovich’s risk-and-reward design set on Pretoria’s eastern edge, about 40 minutes from OR Tambo International Airport.
A well-manicured, tree-lined parkland course in Pretoria’s eastern suburbs, known for a peaceful setting and steady conditioning.
This Peter Matkovich design in a prestigious estate hosted the 2001 PGA Championship, and many pros attest it’s a thorough test.
Kruger National Park
Courses here offer dramatic natural settings with chances to spot wildlife from a safe distance.
A relaxed 9-hole par-36 Gary Player design close to the Kruger Park gates, ideal for combining golf with game drives.
South Africa’s most exclusive safari-side round overlooks the Crocodile River on Kruger’s southern boundary, with frequent wildlife views from safe vantage points.
An 18-hole parkland layout about 30 minutes from Kruger; water features can host hippos and crocodiles—heed on-course safety signage.
A basic 9-hole course inside Kruger near the Skukuza rest camp, often visited by plains game—always keep a respectful distance.
Convenient to Mpumalanga highlights like the Blyde River Canyon and Kruger; an 18-hole parkland course suited to a golf-plus-safari itinerary.
KwaZulu-Natal
Lush vegetation and, in places, sublime ocean views define KZN golf.
A classic coastal test that has hosted the South African Open a record 17 times, with elevated holes offering views toward the Indian Ocean and Moses Mabhida Stadium.
In the Drakensberg’s Champagne Valley, this parkland course pairs scenic mountain terrain with access to standout hiking and outdoor pursuits.
Just north of Durban near Umhlanga, Mount Edgecombe offers two courses refreshed in recent years, set among KZN’s signature greenery.
A Peter Matkovich/Dale Hayes design north of Durban, combining parkland and links elements with alternating ocean and woodland views.
A coastal estate course lined with palms and indigenous antelope, ideal for pairing golf with downtime on the South Coast’s beaches.
A compact par-60 Peter Matkovich layout near Ballito; engaging short-game tests make it a fun, quicker round.
Ocean views, subtropical forest, and abundant birdlife define this popular South Coast parkland course.
At the Eastern Cape/KZN border, this Sun International resort course pairs cliff-lined coastline with the amenities of a full resort.
A Tom Weiskopf links-coastal design set within a lush beachfront estate, combining luxury lodging with championship golf.
Sun City
Sun City hosts the celebrated Gary Player Country Club and the dramatic Lost City course, with Pecanwood nearby.
Home of the annual Nedbank Golf Challenge, this parkland course is a championship-grade walk and pairs well with a Pilanesberg safari.
Known for its unique crocodile water hazard and rugged bushveld surroundings, Lost City is as photogenic as it is challenging.
About an hour from Johannesburg on Hartbeespoort Dam, this Jack Nicklaus parkland course boasts views of the Magaliesberg mountains.
