About 130 years ago golf became popular among South Africans. During the colonial times the English brought a variety of new sports to South Africa amongst others the golf which storied in South African sport history in 1885. The natives quickly developed a growing fascination for the small golf ball and this is how South Africa's first golf stars were born.
Today everybody knows the famous South African golfers Gary Player and Ernie Els. The oldest golf club in South Africa named the Royal Cape club in Wynberg is still the elite club of Cape Town. Moreover there are numerous of golf links in South Africa that evolved not only out of the popularity of this sport but also because of the great conditions the country offers. Worldwide known golf courses in the 5-stars-category are: Erinvale Golf Club, Boschenmeer Golf Estate, Arabella Golf & Wellness Estate, Fancourt and Pezula. Due to high competitions among the golf clubs it is necessary to keep up investing to provide a luxurious standard and the highest possible comfort. Therefore, it is often essential to hire a known architect for the design of the golf courses. In addition to the exquisite sports facilities you can book overnight stays in the exclusive hotels.
Apart from these excellent golf clubs nearly every city in South Africa has a 9 hole pitch and putt course. There are the beach golf course at the Indian Ocean, the Oudtshoorn golf course in the semi-desert Karoo, the golf course in the vineyards of Paarl or the Milnerton Links at the Atlantic Ocean each offering pure enjoyment in a stunning atmosphere. The Greenfees are still low at these places.
South African golf clubs are open for top level golfers as well as for beginners. The affordable daily prices give every holidaymaker the chance to get to know the true promise of golf. Only some of the famous golf clubs have restrictions like staying overnight or an invitation to be allowed to play golf. If you plan your holiday during high season you should telephone or E-mail the golf clubs to make a reservation.
Open competitions are not uncommon and offer the opportunity to join the game without any previous bookings. For the excellent and centrally organized caddies you have to pay about 150 Rand per turn.
Below we have listed some of the interesting golf links at the South African coast. You can use E-mail addresses and telephone numbers to easily book what you like.

Thanks to both the terrific and temperate climate and the british influence this country has become one of the best known destinations for golfing. There are over 500 famous, exclusive and challenging golf facilities. No matter what time of the year each golf course offers its individual defiance not only challanging a layperson but also the professional player. Due to the excellent conditions as well as the clime with its varying vegetation you will find first-rate golf links. Yet, Cape town has been South Africa's golfing hot spot for over 100 years and still is. Embedded in a breathtaking atmosphere and close to the fascinating Table Mountain you will find 20 golf courses. Not for nothing is this the place where annualy the most expensive tournament, the Million Dollar Golf Classics, is battled at the Gary Player Country Club in Sun City known as one of the most brilliant golf clubs in the world.
In addition to the outstanding conditions for golffans South Africa also presents her yaw-dropping and spellbinding flora and fauna while being on the fairway like at the golf course of Skukuza or Hems Merensky as well as Milnerton near Cape Town or at San Lameer near Durban.

Golf lovers just recently discovered South Africa for themselves. That is why the flow of enthusiastic golfers coming to the Cape region of South Africa rises annualy. Not only the beauty of South Africa but also the high quality of the golf facilities make the 500 golf courses an outstanding highlight in this region. The famous golfers Ernie Els and Gary Player are responsible for the fact that South Africa and golf are inseperable.
Since 100 years Cape Town is the golfing highlight at the Cape. 20 different golf courses provide the opportunity to broaden your golf skills. The prices are still favourable. For an 18 hole pitch and putt course the greenfee is about 30 €. The caddies are well equipped and centrally organised.

Information:
Golf-Line in Johannesburg (Tel.: 011/907 1632), but also
South African Golf Association
E. Hassen
15 Gordon Rd, Rondebosch East
Tel.: 021 / 467 2564
Fax: 021 / 467 2610

In the dale of the Helderberg Mountain in Somerset West near Cape Town is the Erinvale Golf Club situated. Designed in 1995 by the golf champion Gary Player this golf link is known for its pristine and simple beauty. Player brilliantly integrated one of the most luxurious golf facility on the former Erinvale farm. Embedded in the massive Hotentot Mountains, surrounded by the vineyards of the Vergelegen Wine Estate and by the Indian Ocean Gary Player aptly summed many South African charms and created an exquisite golf paradise. In 1996 the World Cup of Golf took place in this Golf Club.

The course is a challenge for every passionated golfer. In the dale of the Lourens River the alleys 1 to 9 are part of the natural landscape with its numerous water obstacles and enormous bunkers. It is of advantage to charter an electro cart.
The Golf Club offers diverse variations: there are long as well as short alleys and many of the hilly greens are set diagonally. Erinvale possesses four different kinds of bunkers which in combination with the wind tempt the golfer. The Kikuyu-Fairways are spacious and the rough can excellently be played.
In the heart of the golf course between the first and last nine lanes you'll find the precious club house as well as the luxurious Erinvale Estate Hotel which possesses first-rate apartments and a distinguished service.
Guests of the hotel, the owner of the estates of the place and guests of members are allowed to play golf in Erinvale. The playing time for guests is scheduled as follows: on Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday and there is the possibility to take part in a group match. For bookings please contact Jenny Bain per telephone or fax.

Address:
Erinvale Golf Club
Lourensford Road
PO Box 3500
Somerset West 7129
Tel.: 021 / 847 1906
Fax. 021 / 847 1901
clubhouse@erinvale.com
www.erinvale.com
Golf course: 18 holes 6.294 metres, Par 72
Handicap: gentlemen 28, ladies 36
Closed: Wednesday and Saturday

 

Near the N1 north west of Stellenbosch is the enchanting Devonvale Golf Estate located. Since 1962 there is the possibility to enjoy the terrific view of the Table Mountain while playing an 18 hole pitch and putt champion course.
Not only its location makes Devonvale an interesting golf paradise but also the exceptional challenges its offering. The golfer can dabble in playing narrow greens or the partly by bushes and trees surrounded and with hindrances endued fairways which ask from time to time for a "blind shot". Visitors looking for easier requirements can make use of the Driving Range, the Putting area or the training bunker.

Address:
Devonvale Golf Estate,
Bottelary Road, Koelenhof, Stellenbosch, 7605,
Tel: +27 (0)21 8652080,
Fax: (0)21 8652601,
info@devonvale.co.za
Golf course: 6.100m - 18 holes - Par 72
Handicap: no guidelines for visitors
Open: the whole year round
Club house, restaurant; bar; pro shop

 

Next to the Stellenbosch golf course is this charming golf club created by Peter Matkovich, a popularity amongst the architects of golf links. Surrounded by grass-green vineyards the spacious golf course is divided by the Blaauwklippen River which provides an interesting hindrance here and there.

The course is all but easy. The hilly fairways, the river and the deep Greenbunker ask for some "blind shots". The highlight is to play from a Tee that is located on an Isle.

De Zalze Winelands Golf Estate,
P.O. Box 12706,
Die Boord, Stellenbosch 7613
Tel: +27 (0)21 8807300,
Fax: +27 (0)21 8801976,
info@dezalzegolf.com
Golf course: 6.385 m - 18 holes - Par 73
Handicap: no guidelines for visitors
Open: the whole year round
Club house, restaurant; bar; pro shop

 

60 kilometres north east of Cape Town is the golf club Paarl located. Like Stellenbosch Paarl is in the centre of the scenic tempting Cape Winelands. The wealthy town fascinates its visitors with a great many of interesting Victorian and Cape Dutch buildings.

The totally windless golf course of Paarl is among the most famous golf links of the Cape region. By affiliating the "Boschenmeer Golf and Country Estate" the golf course was enlarged by a number of nine holes.

Surrounded by impressive and enchanted trees the Berg River flows through this rather flat course. You may enjoy the sensational view at the 6th hole - the foreground charmed by the Berg River and the vineyards and the background characterized by the majestic mountains of the Escarpment.
The just recently renovated club house offers beside the excellent Golf Academy and Driving Range an outstanding restaurant, as well as a bar and a well organized pro shop.

Paarl Golf Club,
Wemmershoek Rd, Paarl 7646
Tel: +27 (0)21 8631140,
Fax: (0)21 8633660,
bookings@paarlgolfclub.co.za
Golf course: 6.260 m - 18 holes - Par 74
Handicap: no guidelines for visitors
Open: the whole year round; Wednesday afternoons and Saturdays just for members
Club house, restaurant; bar; pro shop

 

This golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus ranks among the most luxurious and well-known golf clubs at the Cape. Pearl Valley is surrounded by suave vineyards and lots of wineries as well as picturesque mountain chaines. The Berg River flows through the spacious estate.
The parkway is very cultivated. Greens and Fairways were seeded with "all seasons cool grass" from the USA. There is neither a lack of water obstacles nor of bunkers. All in all 76 bunkers are spread all over the 18 alleys which makes this course a true challenge for the keen golfer.
Not only the park is impressive but also the club house offers a convincing as well as first-class equipment like a restaurant, sportsbar, boma, smoking lounge, gym, swimmingpools, conference rooms, a pro shop and a kindergarten.

Pearl Valley Golf Estate,
PO Box 1, Paarl 7646,
Tel: +27 (0)21 8678000,
Fax: (0)21 8678099,
golf@pearlvalley.co.za
Golf course: 6.090 m - 18 holes - Par 72
Handicap: no guidelines for visitors
Open: the whole year round; Tuesday and Thursdays Corporate Days
Club house, restaurant; bar; pro shop

 

The "South African Open" took place in 1999 in the heart of the charming and idilyc wine-growing estates in Stellenbosch at the Cape. Stellenbosch is one of the most popular holiday destination due to its close location to Cape Town and its nostalgic air. The lovingly restored Dutch buildings and the famous university of the town as well as the golf course encircled by vineyards make this place unforgettable.

On the contrary to manny other estates this golf link is especially windless. The with trees enlaced fairways are partly narrow and therefore very challenging. You have to play the golfball very straight to avoid a "blind shot".

Especially imposing is the exclusive Driving Range in the Stellenbosch Golf Club in Western Cape. The modern club house provides an formidable restaurant and a well organised pro shop.
The golf course is highly visible and not to miss because of its spacious property. If you take the motorway N1 or N2 from Cape Town you will easily find it.

Stellenbosch Golf Club,
Strand Road, PO Box 277,
Stellenbosch 7599,
Tel: +27 (0)21 8800103,
Fax: (0)21 8800260,
bookings@stellenboschgolfclub.com
Golf course: 6.264 m - 18 holes - Par 72
Handicap: no guidelines for visitors
Open: the whole year round; Wednesday afternoons and Saturdays just for members
Club house, restaurant; bar; pro shop