| Whether you're a seasoned golfing enthusiast who | | | | need to have an accurate approach and watch |
| always keeps their clubs on them, or are the | | | | out for the copious bunkers and water hazards to |
| type who plays the odd game now and then to | | | | get a decent score here. |
| relax, luxury holidays in South Africa are | | | | Wild Coast Country Club |
| impressively well catered for. South Africa's varied | | | | Don't be lulled into a false sense of security by |
| terrain makes it a unique destination for golfers, | | | | the incredible Indian Ocean views - this is actually |
| with a mix of breathtaking coastal courses, a fine | | | | quite a tricky course, especially if you find |
| elevated selection and a good number included in | | | | yourself straying into the rough, or the coastal |
| international events. Then of course there's the | | | | winds whip up! It's quite a varied course, featuring |
| weather - the climate is absolutely ideal, with the | | | | several unexpected changes in elevation, which |
| bright sunshine perfect for those who like to | | | | offset the relatively wide fairways. Look out for |
| spend their times on the fairways and outside the | | | | the thirteenth hole, which is a particularly taxing |
| clubhouse. | | | | one, craftily designed to be up there with some |
| Here are some of the best golf courses in South | | | | of the best in the world. If you're heading for a |
| Africa. If you only play a couple of times while | | | | golf holiday in South Africa, this is a must. |
| out there, make sure one of these is on your list: | | | | Fancourt Hotel, Country Club and Golf Estate |
| Leopard Creek | | | | Yet another Gary Player design that's world |
| Leopard Creek is pretty much the undisputed | | | | renowned for a great round of golf, the Fancourt |
| jewel in South Africa's golfing crown, and is a | | | | Hotels' golf course is located on the charming |
| frequent inclusion in 'World's Best Courses' lists. If | | | | southern Cape. The views are stunning, as is the |
| you only play a handful of courses on your golf | | | | golf - though it took a lot of effort to make. |
| holiday in South Africa, make sure this is one of | | | | Over 700,000 metres of earth were moved to |
| them. As well as being an entertaining and | | | | make this links style course on a surface that |
| challenging course in its own right, what is really | | | | was originally flat! It was well worth the effort |
| unique about Leopard Creek is its location: right on | | | | though, and if Links style play is your preference |
| the border of the world-renowned Kruger National | | | | then this is certainly worth a visit. The hotel itself |
| Park. The course (a Gary Player design) is | | | | is very nice as well, and a good choice if you |
| sculpted to make the most of its location, and | | | | want to combine a few rounds of golf with your |
| you shouldn't be surprised to see a number of | | | | luxury holiday in South Africa. |
| moving hazards around the water features, as | | | | Arabella Country Club |
| warthogs, giraffes and crocodiles have been | | | | Not even 10 years old yet, the Arabella Golf Club |
| known to wander the course, and the trees are | | | | has come a very long way in a short time, and is |
| full of exotic birds too. With this kind of scenery, | | | | now one of the most celebrated golf courses in |
| it's an unforgettable round of golf, but don't let it | | | | South Africa. Designed by the celebrated South |
| spoil your concentration for the final hole: a | | | | African golf architect Peter Matkovich, the course |
| dramatic island green that has been known to | | | | is a wonderfully memorable mix of rolling |
| make and break scorecards! | | | | fairways, cheeky bunkers and well placed water |
| Gary Player Country Club | | | | traps. It's quite a sight too, as the course borders |
| Unsurprisingly, this South Africa golf course was | | | | South Africa's largest natural lagoon! |
| also designed by the legendary Gary Player, and | | | | There are plenty of golf courses in South Africa, |
| it's very much a challenge fitting for the man | | | | and although most struggle to match up to the |
| himself. This is one of the longest and toughest | | | | high standards laid out by these ones, the perfect |
| courses in the country, and not one for South | | | | conditions mean you're pretty much guaranteed |
| Africa holiday makers who barely play. If you | | | | an enjoyable round wherever you go. So if you're |
| have the skills though, this course is another which | | | | planning on a luxury holiday in South Africa, don't |
| frequently sneaks into 'worlds best' lists, albeit at | | | | rule out some quality time on the fairways! |
| a lower entry point than Leopard Creek. You | | | | |