Golf Courses in Africa

Tee off on one of the top golf courses in the Western Cape. Arabella is a classic parkland course with spectacular views across the Bot River Lagoon and the Kogelberg Mountain Range. It is also home to the annual Nelson Mandela Invitational Tournament. The Arabella Golf Course in South Africa is ranked by Compleat Golfer magazine as the number one golf course in the Western Cape. It is also featured in Golf Digest’s USA’s Top 60 courses outside of America in 2007. A round of golf here is truly an exceptional experience.

Considered one of the world's most challenging links courses, Humewood Golf Course is consistently ranked as one of South Africa's Top 10 golf courses. The late Bobby Locke considered Humewood Golf Course to be the best in South Africa and said that it compared favourably with the top links courses in the British Isles. Humewood has hosted the South African Amateur 9 times and the South African Open 4 times.

Situated in the coastal city of Port Elizabeth, the golf course is a genuine seaside links, frequently lashed by the winds off Algoa Bay. The length of the course is 6 225 meters with 18 holes/par72. With wide and undulating fairways, fast greens and thick coastal bush, a round at Humewood is an absolute must for any golfers visiting South Africa.

The course is home to a variety of animal life with an abundance of cheeky plovers, otherwise known as kiewietjies, one of which makes up the club's emblem. And, after your round of golf, relax at the "19th" in the elegant Club House and indulge in a spectacular view over the links course itself as well as Algoa Bay.

Considered one of the finest golf courses in South Africa, Clovelly Country Club is famous for its rolling, computer-irrigated fairways and undulating holes complementing its rich coastal environment. The championship-quality greens consist of bent grass and poa annua mix. Nestled in the pristine and tranquil Silvermine Valley close to Fish Hoek, Clovelly offers its members and visitors a memorable experience.

The picturesque and challenging courses are a favourite of Bobby Locke, where each hole has a distinctive setting, with magnificent views of the surrounding mountains and False Bay. The Silvermine River, natural sand dunes and trees line the fairways with water features and a wide variety of birdlife such as guinea fowl, pheasant and steppe buzzard. Adjoining the club house is a pro shop, restaurant and driving range.

Established in 1907, the historic Royal Port Alfred Golf Club is situated on the Sunshine Coast in Port Alfred, half way between East London and Port Elizabeth. This charming and old-fashioned course has some quirky holes and pretty much preserves the atmosphere of the early 1900's in South Africa.

One of the true links courses in South Africa, it is set on the rolling hills of Port Alfred, with plenty of indigenous bush, wildlife and wonderful sea views. The 18 hole course is 5 800 meters and has a unique layout, which, in true links tradition, tests your ability to read the elements as much as the course. A golfing experience not to be missed!

Irresistible ocean and forest views, exceptional water and wetland features and an inspiring natural setting where "conservation takes precedence" as well as a memorable course with charisma and challenge - could anyone ask for more? The exclusive Zimbali Country Club is situated along the coastal area of KwaZulu-Natal, an area featuring some of the best golf courses in South Africa.

Having been described as "an enthralling journey through 18 holes", the changing terrain stretches the skill yet captivates its participating golfers. Designed by Tom Weiskopf, his philosophy of "presenting a fair challenge to any level of play" the essence of this course is that it will reward the good shot and punish the bad. Zimbali Golf Course is a mere 50 kilometres from the top golf course in South Africa, the Durban Country Club. Other world class golfing venues situated on this coastline are Prince's Grant, Umhlali Country Club, Royal Durban Golf Club, and Mount Edgecombe.

The Country Club provides full amenities for golf, including compulsory golf carts, a halfway house, putting greens, a driving range, tennis courts and a bar and lounge facility. Zimbali truly is the ideal venue for the discerning golfer who would like to not only test his/her abilities on some of the finest golf courses in Africa, but who would also like to do so in style.

In terms of the ultimate golfing experience, Zimbali is amongst the top 10 courses in South Africa to receive the Complete Golfer's Five-star Golf Experience Award; based on service excellence, top-class clubhouse facilities, golf course conditioning and last but not least the overall lingering experience. Zimbali Country Club and Golf Course is rated independently by Golf Digest magazine as a top 250 South African golf course, as well as a top 5 finest golfing experiences in South Africa.

In 1961 Umhlali Country Club was established as a 9 hole golf course, some years later and under the skilful hand of Peter Matkovich, the course was redesigned and a 2nd nine holes were added.

Both the course and the club underwent a total transformation in 2006, still under Peters’ watchful eye, and the results speak for themselves.

Today this world class 18 hole golf course has a halfway house, pro shop, golf cart hire, bowling greens, five tennis courts (of which two are floodlit), secluded swimming pool and two glass-backed squash courts.

Tee off on stunning greens next to the banks of the Hartbeespoort Dam with sweeping views of the foothills of the Magaliesberg. Magalies Park Golf Course is an 18-hole course designed by Loutjie van Aswegen. Here, the total length of the course is a mens 5 864m and a ladies 5 001m.

The course rating for men is 72 and for ladies is 70. While the course may not be very long, it does not however mean that the golfer can take out his driver and play to his heart's content. A number of small trees have been strategically placed and although there are few water holes and no bunkers this is not a course for the faint-hearted, making for a challenging game of golf any day.

Interesting holes are the par 4 8th, and the par 4 12th stroke five, which is one of the most attractively designed holes on the course. At the clubhouse, a Pro Shop is made available for all your golfing needs, golf cards and club hire. Lessons are available on request. The "Barn Owl" Halfway House, the "Loeries Flight" takeaway and the "Albatross" Halfway House provide light meals and refreshments when the going gets tough.

The Steenberg Golf Club is an exclusive, private golf club set in the idyllic surroundings of the Constantia Valley. The course attracts golfers seeking a total golfing experience. Known for its hybrid plan, it offers traditionalists the opportunity to “bump and run” (a rare shot in South Africa) in the rough around the greens, and to meet the challenges of strategically placed sand pits and waterways.

The par-three, not-so-short 14th hole, features the largest green in Africa at 76 meters in length; indigenous shrubs guard the green and the mound has been shaped to echo the distinctive mountain range behind. Steenberg has always been named as one of the best conditioned courses in South Africa Golf Digest’s annual Top 100, consistent in its improvement each year.

The 18 hole course was designed to make full use of natural features and hazards such as the vineyards, pine forest and gentle waterways. Its environmental diversity gives the course its unique character. The well-designed and refurbished clubhouse has seen many golfers enjoying the 19th hole.

Need to know? The Steenberg Golf Club is open to the public, but priority and special green fee rates are given to Steenberg Hotel guests and members.