The origins of the ancient game of golf are unknown and hotly discussed. The modern version of the game, on the other hand, started in Scotland in the 15th century and has undergone various adjustments to become what it is today. Golf is widely seen as a wealthy man’s pastime in the current era.
Several people relate it to a variety of factors, including the financial difficulties of participating in the sport (high cost of golf facilities and equipment and club membership). Some expensive elite golf clubs even require premium membership with additional benefits, making them solely accessible to the wealthy. Membership in some clubs, such as The Links Fancourt Club in South Africa, is limited to a few invited individuals.
Because the nature of the game does not necessitate much physical exertion and sweating, it is a joyful and appealing game that attracts more to wealthy persons. Golf is more popular in South Africa than in any other African country, and it is one of the most popular recreational sports among the country’s rich residents.
South Africa is home to some of the best and top-rated golf courses in Africa, as well as some of the leading golf courses in the world, which are typically located in luxury parks, resorts, and estates because the game is mostly marketed to the super-rich.
Highlighting the luxury and beauty of some golf courses in South Africa, these five destinations were carefully selected based on the following ratings criteria;
- Condition and maintenance of the course
- Location, appealing views, and scenery
- Environmental awareness
- Golfing facilities and other non-golfing facilities
Pearl Valley Golf Course
Pearl Valley Golf Course, located inside Val De Vie Estate, is a sporting and recreational destination inspired by the stunning natural mountain ranges, vegetation, and landscape of the Western Cape’s famed Cape Winelands. It is a world-class facility designed by Nicklaus Design that embodies Jack Nicklaus’ intuition, vision, philosophy, and enthusiasm for the game of golf. The 18-hole championship golf course has pristinely created all-season fairways, exceptional bunkering, and appropriate use of water elements to challenge golfers of all skill levels.
It was opened in 2003 and is housed within the beautiful and safe Pearl Valley Hotel in Pearl-Franschhoek. It provides guests luxury and tranquillity to relax, play, wine, and dine. Its closeness to several of South Africa’s renowned wine estates provides extra possibilities to explore and indulge in more adventurous pleasures. The Golf Academy on the Golf Course provides students and instructors with one of the best facilities for coaching and practice, as well as expert teaching from experienced coaches.
Highland Gate
Highland Gate Golf Course is a lovely athletic facility in the Steenkampsberg mountain range near Dullstroom, about two and a half hours from Johannesburg. The Highland Gate Golf and Trout Estate, a 700-hectare estate with 455 luxury buildings and pristine undeveloped areas and woods for residents to stay close to nature, includes the Highland Gate Golf and Trout Estate.
This top-rated golf facility, dubbed the “ideal weekend hideaway for outdoor aficionados,” is focused not just on the championship level, but also on a plethora of delightful leisure activities such as fly fishing, mountain biking, hiking trails, picnics, walking, bird-watching, and more. The Clubhouse and Flycatcher restraint serve a variety of local and international dishes. The Flycatcher Restaurant provides a spectacular panoramic view of the Ernie Els Signature Golf Course, the emerald lawn, and the hills in the distance.
Durban Country Club
The 100-year-old Durban Country Club Golf Course is one of the best in South Africa. It takes pride in being the only golf course in Africa that has been rated in the Top 100 Golf Courses in the World by Golf Magzine USA, the Top 5 Courses in South Africa by Gold Digest S.A, and many other rating institutes. The magnificent undulations on the fairways, particularly on the third, fifth, eighth, and seventeenth holes, distinguish the golf course.
The Links-style layout and coastal sand dunes make the course appealing to both professional and amateur golfers. Legendary players such as Jack Nicklaus, Sam Snead, Sally Little, and others have played on the spectacular golf course overlooking the Blue Lagoon estuary and the Indian Ocean. It has hosted more South African Opens than any other golf course in the country. The best golf course, which opened in December 1922, is home to some of the country’s greatest athletes, including Neil Tovey (soccer), Shaun Pollock (cricket), John Smit (rugby), and others.
The Links Fancourt Club
Links Club is an 18-hole championship course owned and created by Dr. Hasso Plattner, with further design contributions by Gary Playe and Phil Jacobs. The Club’s private membership provides the exclusivity that a world-class golf course deserves. A locker room, a Roman bath, Jacuzzis, an outdoor pool, steam and sauna rooms, a gymnasium, an onsite Pro Shop completely supplied with exclusive Links branded apparel and golfing equipment, and many other amenities are available.
Because of its unique architecture and critical role in environmental sustainability, The Links Club has been designated as an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary. The golf course has held prominent world competitions such as the President’s Cup in 2003, the South African Open in 2005, and the Volvo Golf Championship European Tour in 2012. Among the great legends who have played golf are John Bland, Justin Rose, and Branden Grace.
Zimbali Golf Course
The 18-hole Tom Weiskopf-designed golf course is part of the Zimbali Country Club, which is located on the Zimbali Coastal Estate on the North Coast of KwaZulu-Natal. Zimbali is an eco-friendly golf course and estate with beautiful greenery, coastal woodland, and bird life. It is home to a variety of Kingfishers, including the uncommon Crowned Eagle.
The hybrid course, which opened on November 7, 1998, features both a Links and a Coastal Forest 18-hole layout, with tee boxes strategically placed for environmental sustainability. The first eleven holes go across undulating hills, providing a fantastic viewing position and spectacular vista, while the 12th to 18th holes run through the Zimbali indigenous forest.