25 Best Golf Courses in South Africa
From wildlife encounters at Leopard Creek to world-class links at Fancourt, South Africa offers some of the most diverse and spectacular golf on the planet. Here's our definitive ranking of the 25 courses every golfer must play.
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How We Ranked These Courses
Our ranking considers multiple factors: course design and architecture, conditioning, setting and scenery, challenge and playability, clubhouse and facilities, value for money, and overall experience. We've played every course on this list and consulted with local pros, tour players, and golf travel experts.
South Africa is blessed with incredible golf diversity—from wildlife-filled bushveld courses in Mpumalanga to dramatic coastal links in the Western Cape, highveld parkland in Gauteng, and subtropical layouts in KwaZulu-Natal. This list represents the very best the country has to offer.
The Bucket List
Leopard Creek Country Club
MpumalangaPar 72 | Designer: Gary Player
Wildlife encounters while playing, Kruger Park border
Fancourt Links
Western CapePar 73 | Designer: Gary Player
SA's only true links, World Top 50
Pearl Valley Jack Nicklaus
Western CapePar 72 | Designer: Jack Nicklaus
Signature design in wine country
Pinnacle Point
Western CapePar 72 | Designer: Peter Matkovich
Dramatic clifftop holes over Indian Ocean
Gary Player Country Club
North WestPar 72 | Designer: Gary Player
Sun City flagship, Million Dollar host
The Elite
Arabella Golf Estate
Western Cape
Lagoon views, SA Women's Open host
R1,800+Blair Atholl
Gauteng
8,000-yard monster, altitude golf
R1,600+St Francis Links
Eastern Cape
True links on wild coastline
R1,500+Pezula Championship Course
Western Cape
Knysna Heads views, heathland layout
R1,500+Royal Johannesburg (East)
Gauteng
Historic SA Open venue, Royal status
R1,200+Outstanding Courses
Glendower Golf Club
Gauteng
Parkland perfection, SA Open host
R1,400+Durban Country Club
KwaZulu-Natal
Historic coastal club, beachfront location
R1,400+Steenberg Golf Club
Western Cape
Wine estate setting in Constantia Valley
R1,600+Lost City Golf Course
North West
Desert oasis design, Sun City
R1,200+Erinvale Golf Club
Western Cape
Mountain backdrop, Sunshine Tour venue
R1,200+Excellent Courses
Fancourt Outeniqua
Western Cape | R1,800+
Resort championship course, immaculate conditioning
Zimbali Country Club
KwaZulu-Natal | R1,600+
Coastal forest setting, luxury resort
Atlantic Beach Golf Club
Western Cape | R1,000+
Cape Town's only links course
Royal Cape Golf Club
Western Cape | R1,400+
SA's oldest club (1885), Table Mountain views
Houghton Golf Club
Gauteng | R1,000+
Central Johannesburg, city skyline views
Must-Play Courses
De Zalze Golf Club
Western Cape | R1,100+
Stellenbosch wine estate, water features
Serengeti Golf & Wildlife
Gauteng | R1,800+
Wildlife encounters, Big 5 estate
Humewood Golf Club
Eastern Cape | R700+
Links-style, Nelson Mandela Bay
Simola Golf & Country Estate
Western Cape | R1,300+
Dramatic elevation changes, Knysna forest
Dainfern Golf Estate
Gauteng | R1,200+
Estate lifestyle, excellent conditioning
By Region
Western Cape (10)
The most courses in our Top 25, including Fancourt Links, Pearl Valley, Pinnacle Point, and the Cape Winelands courses.
Explore Western Cape →Gauteng (6)
Historic clubs and modern estates. Play at altitude for extra distance at Glendower, Royal JHB, and Blair Atholl.
Explore Gauteng →Other Regions (9)
Don't miss Leopard Creek (Mpumalanga), Sun City (North West), Durban CC (KZN), and St Francis Links (Eastern Cape).
All Regions →Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best golf course in South Africa?
Leopard Creek consistently tops rankings for its unique combination of world-class golf and wildlife encounters. However, Fancourt Links is often rated as the best pure golfing experience, being South Africa's only true links course.
How much does it cost to play top courses in South Africa?
Green fees range from R700 for excellent courses like Humewood to R3,500+ for bucket-list experiences like Leopard Creek and Fancourt Links. Most top-25 courses fall in the R1,200-R2,000 range.
What's the best time to play golf in South Africa?
The best overall time is March-May (autumn) and September-November (spring). Coastal areas are great year-round, while inland courses offer dry winter weather from May-September.
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