The Top ten South African golf courses

South African golf courses are amongst the best in the world. Like Leopard Creek which holds the number 25 spot in Golf Digest USA’s list of top 100 golf courses outside the States. This Gary Player designed golf course is also rated the best course in South Africa. Although the golfer is protected from the wildlife, the golf course does make use of the natural habitat, which is home to the big five. Oh, and the occasional hippo or crock might pop out the water hazard as well. The Gary Player Country Club is probably the most well known golf course in the country, because it hosts the Nedbank Golf Challenge. Located at Sun City this golf course is one of the longest in the country. It features two holes that made it onto Golf online's 500 best holes in golf. This golf course also made it to spot 29 on the Golf Digest USA’s top 100 golf courses. The Wild Coast Country Club has got to be up there in the top ten. It was designed by the famous Robert Trent Jones against the backdrop of the Indian Ocean making it one of the most beautiful golf courses in the country. That however doesn’t speak of how punishing the golf course can be to those who stray into the rough. As often happens at the coast, the wind picks up and makes this golf course a particularly tricky one to play. It isn’t a very long one but with narrow fairways and interesting use of elevation and levels, it presents quite a challenge. Hole number thirteen made it into Golf online's 500 best holes in golf even though it’s only 146 metres.

In the Cape the Fancourt Hotel, Country Club and Golf Estate played host to the President’s Cup in 2003 where the Internationals battled the Americans for the cup. It also hosted the Women’s World Cup in 2005. The world-class links was ranked fifty-ninth in the Golf Digest and it took a massive effort to build. 700 000 cubic metres of earth had to be moved to create the design Gary player had set out for the stunning and picturesque golf course. Of course the Durban Country Club cannot be left out the top ten. Having hosted 16 South African Open Championships, it’s ranked sixty-second in Golf Digest. Golf online included three of the golf course’s holes on the top 500 holes in golf. Arabella Country Club has been the host to the Nelson Mandela Invitational since 2003. It was ranked 100 in the Golf Digest and was named the best new golf course in South Africa in 1999. Originally built in 1937 the golf course had all 18 holes reshaped and rebuilt in the eighties. Also holding on of the holes that Golf online voted in the top 500, the course has been host to the South African Open three times. The River Club Golf Course is the very exclusive Sandton club that only allows members and their guests in. it is well known for always being exceptionally well kept. George Golf Club is the only club other than Durban Country Club and Wild Coast Country Club to get a par three hole in the Golf Digest top 500. Beautifully laid out with trees and scenic rolling hills, the golf course is as breathtaking from its view as it is from its tricky holes. The Pecanwood Golf and Country Club Estate was designed by Jack Nicklaus and borders on the Hartebeespoort Dam. It is set against the backdrop of the beautiful Magaliesberg Mountains and plays over eloquently set water hazards.

It is clear that the level of South African golf courses is way up there with the best in the world. Having most of the golf courses displayed in either the Golf Onliness 500 top holes in the world or the Golf Digest USA’s 100 best golf courses outside the USA. Or often times, both.