The best golf courses in South Africa

Leopard Creek Country Club, designed by Gary Player, is a celebrated private golf course in Malelane, South Africa. Overlooking the Crocodile River and bordering Kruger National Park, the course features immaculate parkland design, prolific wildlife sightings, and world-class facilities. Host to the Alfred Dunhill Championship, it blends natural African vistas with modern architecture for a truly unique playing experience.

Designed by Gary Player and Phil Jacobs, Fancourt Links is widely regarded as South Africa’s premier golf course. Modeled on classic British Isles links courses, it features undulating fairways, dramatic dune-style landscapes, and pot bunkers. Exclusivity sets The Links apart, with limited access for resort guests and members, making every round memorable.

Pearl Valley Golf Estate is a Jack Nicklaus Signature course located in the scenic Winelands north of Cape Town. Opened in 2003, it’s renowned for championship quality, strategic water hazards, and pristinely maintained bentgrass greens. Consistently ranked among South Africa’s finest courses, Pearl Valley challenges experienced golfers while providing stunning mountain views.

Opened in 1979 and designed by Gary Player with Ron Kirby, this par-72, 18-hole championship course at Sun City is one of the longest in the world. Famous for hosting the Nedbank Golf Challenge, it's renowned for its pristine conditions, strategic design, and bushveld panorama. The walk-only layout offers a tough yet fair test for all skill levels.

St Francis Links, designed by Jack Nicklaus and opened in 2007, is widely considered one of South Africa’s top 10 golf courses. Sculpted among coastal dunes near the Indian Ocean, its links-style layout offers challenging play, firm turf, and natural scenery. The course regularly earns accolades for conditioning and memorable design, while delivering a blend of classic traditions and modern amenities.

Durban Country Club is a historic championship links course designed in 1922, famed for its rolling coastal sand dunes and lush vegetation. The course has hosted multiple South African Opens, features undulating fairways, and panoramic views over the Indian Ocean. Major architects, including George Waterman and Laurie Waters, contributed to its enduring design legacy.

Founded in 1890 and recently renovated, Royal Johannesburg & Kensington Golf Club features two renowned parkland layouts. The East Course, originally designed by Bob Grimsdell and updated by Golf Data, is known for championship standards and memorable tournaments. Its lush fairways, strategic bunkering, and Bentgrass greens make it one of South Africa’s premier clubs.

Erinvale Golf Club is a Gary Player-designed 18-hole parkland course in Somerset West, Western Cape, South Africa. Noted for its variety and strategic layout, the course offers stunning mountain and wineland vistas, championship-standard facilities, and excellent year-round conditions. Its combination of scenic beauty and strong design has made it a frequent tournament venue.

Zimbali Country Club, designed by Tom Weiskopf, is a renowned 18-hole course on South Africa's Dolphin Coast. Blending links and parkland styles, it traverses undulating terrain, offering panoramic ocean views and forested holes. Eco-conscious and challenging, the course is celebrated for its natural beauty and superb amenities.

Humewood Golf Club, designed by Colonel S.V. Hotchkin in 1929, is a revered true links course set on coastal dunes of Port Elizabeth. Renowned for its undulating, wind-swept fairways and natural terrain, Humewood is one of Africa's finest links, consistently ranked among South Africa's top five courses and host to numerous national championships.