Golf

South Africa has a reputation for some amazing golf courses and many of these combine golf with hotels and restaurants to create a resort. Our focus is the Garden Route at present as that is where most of our itineraries lead just now - but if you need to know more, just ask. The map below is used from Google via their Geo Guidelines. The Garden Route proper is the lighter area surrounded by the red dots. You will notice that the courses we have detailed are all along the coast - Mossel bay, George, Knysna and Plettenberg Bay. There are plenty more, including inland, but these are all popular time and again.

Mossel Bay

This harbour town is the place where the first Europeans landed back in 1488 and it sits about halfway between Cape Town and Gqeberha, about 400 km from both. It's a large town of 170000 so is well equipped for any visitors.

Mossel Bay Golf Club - Par 72 links, 5940 metres

You can see the Indian Ocean the whole way round and noted holes include the 3rd, that tees off towards the ocean, and the 17th that is a long downhill hole that needs careful play to avoid the bunkers before tackling a three-level green. Green fees for visitors are R510 Affiliated and R640 non-affiliated, carts are R440.

Pinnacle Point - Par 72 links, 6460 metres

This is an award winning course that includes a number of holes on the cliff edge and the challenging 8th, a par 4 that tempts you to aim across a ravine to reach the green. Green fees for visitors are R2950 peak (October to March) and R1500 off-peak (April to September).

George

Named after King George III, this is a city at the heart of the Garden Route's administration. It originally grew due to the timber trade and is a large place that really does have everything you need.

George Golf Club - Par 72 parklands, 6162 metres

One of the older courses in the country, it is known for its picturesque fairways with the mountains forming a backdrop. It includes a 1st hole that has a dam on the left and trees on the right, the 16th that is a par 5 dogleg, and the 18th, a long par 4 that plays towards the mountains. Green fees for visitors are R565 to R695 depending on season, carts are R350.

Kingswood Gold Club - Par 72 inland links style, 6285 metres

This course combines inland scenery with coastal styles. Feature holes include the 16th, a par 5 with a water hazard running next to the fairway, and the 18th, a par 3 that ends with a green surrounded by bunkers. Green fees are R670 affiliated and R560 non-affiliated, carts are R200.

Oubaai Hotel Golf and Spa - Par 72 links, 6446 metres

This relatively young course is very coastal in its layout has five Par 5 holes, all over 500 metres. It's feature hole is the 17th, a par 3 that begins at an elevated tee and ends at a narrow green with stunning ocean views. Green fees range from R965 to R1450, varying according to day and time of year. Carts are available.

Fancourt Montagu - Par 72 parklands, 6714 metres

This course is in the country's top 25 (and one year was number 1) and is only available as part of an accommodation package. It is an all round challenge with three long (over 400 metres) par 4 holes, the 3rd, 6th and 7th. As well as needing to be a guest, there are also additional green fees of R1525 high season (November to March) and R1120 low season (April to October). Carts are R585.

Fancourt Outeniqua - Par 72 parklands, 6301 metres

This course is in the country's top 25 and is only available as part of an accommodation package. It is an all round challenge with water hazards on over half the holes. As well as needing to be a guest, there are also additional green fees of R1525 high season (November to March) and R1120 low season (April to October). Carts are R585.

Fancourt Links - Par 73 links, 6930 metres

This long course is the highest ranked in South Africa and is not open to day visitors. If you aren't able to get yourself an invite from a member you will find that there are a limited amount of tee times for guests at Fancourt Hotel, whilst adhering to strict rules. If you are a guest and able to secure a tee time there is a green fee of R6325, although they will throw in a cart and caddy!

Knysna

This town sits next to the N2 and is a stopping off point for most tours in the area, with a mix of coastal scenery and inland lagoons offering lots of outdoor options.

Knysna Golf Club - Par 72 parklands with tidal waters, 5752 metres

More than a hundred years old, this course is an attractive blend of natural things, including tidal pools. Holes that stand out are the par 3 8th with an island green, and the par 5 9th that plays its way through the wetlands. Green fees are R590 affiliated and R775 non-affiliated.

Pezula Golf Estate - Par 72 links, 6308 metres

This highly rated course offers great views of the ocean and the lagoon and features changes of height through the round. Of note are the 13th on the cliff edge and the 14th with a sloping fairway and heavily bunkered green. Green fees are R1055 affiliated and R1595 non affiliated. Both options include a cart.

Simola Golf Estate - Par 72 parklands, 6401 metres

This course makes the most of the surrounding terrain to maximise its undulations amidst great scenery. This leads to feature holes such as the 2nd with a drop of 100 metres from tee to fairway, and the closing 18th, a par 5 that heads downhill and is peppered with water and bunkers. Green fees are R1050 affiliated and R1790 non-affiliated, and that includes a cart. Plettenberg Bay

Right at the eastern end of the Garden Route, this town has a real seaside vibe alongside its expansive beach.

Goose Valley Golf Club - Par 72 links, 6005 metres

Sat next to the Keurbooms river, this course makes its way through local trees and the specialised fynbos vegetation. It features holes like the 7th that is over 500 metres and heads up to a green with water along the left side, and the 11th, played from an elevated position towards the lagoon. Green fees are R675 affiliated and R560 non-affiliated with carts R230.

Plettenberg Bay Country Club - Par 72 links, 6057 metres

Situated in a nature reserve, the course is picturesque and definitely one for bird and animal lovers. The 16th is a real feature as the river runs down the left side of the fairway and then has to be crossed to reach the green. Green fees are R700 for affiliated and R800 for non-affiliated. Carts are R360.