Sport: Golf in Africa

The course at Leopard Rock Hotel in Zimbabwe is one of my favourite places in Africa. The vistas are unequalled, overlooking a valley with a precipitous drop-off. It's like playing golf in Switzerland - absolutely stunning. Anyone who loves golf should definitely try to go.

Over the past five decades of my career as a professional golfer, I have been fortunate enough to have competed on the world's top courses. This has afforded me insight into the features that make certain venues outstanding.

In South Africa alone the Gary Player Foundation has designed over 20 courses, and there are further exceptional ones designed by some of the most renowned golfers, including Jack Nicklaus and Tom Weiskopf. In addition, they offer spectacular scenery, making them comparable to none in the world for an all-round golfing experience sure to please.

Several other factors also contribute to Southern Africa being a golfer's paradise. These include our incredible weather, with over 300 sunshine days a year and relatively mild winters, coupled with the fact that during the Northern Hemisphere winter, over Christmas and New Year, it's the height of summer in South Africa.

In addition to the finest courses we have world-class resorts, which are in excellent condition and at the exchange rate, extremely affordable. To name just a few of the many spectacular golfing venues located in South Africa I must begin with the Gary Player Country Club, located at Sun City and ranked as South Africa's finest, which stages the annual Million Dollar Golf Challenge.

It not only offers a world-class course, but a health spa too. The Lost City Golf Course, which is among my personal favorites, is nestled in the African bushveld and provides a challenging experience for any level of golfer, with huge waste bunkers, water hazards, rolling Kikuyu fairways, Bent grass greens and mountainous terraces - but beware of the crocodiles on the 13th hole.

Host to the 1996 World Cup of Golf, Erinvale Golf Estate in Somerset West  outside Cape Town is located at the foot of the Heldenberg and Hottentots Holland Mountains. The 18-hole course has undulating fairways and six holes are surrounded by water.

The 2002 Presidents Cup will be held at The Links at Fancourt, located in George, said to be the most beautiful place in the world by the late English novelist Anthony Trollope. This is an exceptionally challenging course, with holes modelled after some of the most famous links-style courses of Scotland and Ireland. It takes golfing in Africa to the next level.

Your Questions Answered

Some basic tips to help you plan your African golfing holiday.

Green fees in Kenya are usually around $35 for standard courses. In Egypt you can expect to pay between $20 and $75 (at the Royal Valley). Some rounds in Morocco are only 12 but you can be charged up to $60 on top courses. Tunisian greens will set you back about $30 but residents at the resort clubs in Mauritius and the Seychelles can play without paying fees.

How much are caddy fees?
Caddie fees are not usually included in organised tour charges. In general expect to pay about $5 in Kenya and on southern African courses. Rural courses in Zimbabwe are about half that but top-level championship courses in the region charge up to 12 - tips not included.

Is it possible to rent golf clubs at courses?
Clubs may be hired at quite a few (but not all) courses. Advance booking is
advised. Charges are likely to be about 10 at many South African clubs. Most
of the bigger courses have golf pros and a pro-shop.

Do courses offer golf carts?
In Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, South Africa and Zimbabwe, many top clubs have carts, which usually cost between $12 and $24 to hire. However, the only way to get around most of the courses in the sub-continent is on foot. Note that for many of these and North African courses, soft spikes or rubber studs must be worn and a caddy must be hired where carts are not available.

Is an official handicap needed?
Officially yes, if you want to play in a competition or at an exclusive club. However most resort clubs and many others do not require proof from visitors enjoying a round or two.

What dress code normally applies?
Some status courses are very particular (e.g. golfing slacks), especially in
clubhouses. However, smart casual is generally welcomed (collared shirts, with standard shorts and golf shoes). More casual attire, such as drawstring shorts, is sometimes found on less formal courses.

Do I need to be a member of a golf club or course?
Very few clubs in Africa require this, unless you want to play in a competition.

What facilites do most courses offer?
Most clubhouses have changing facilities with showers, a restaurant, a bar with snack menus, halfway house, a pro-shop, putting and chipping greens. Some clubs offer accommodation and conference facilities, as well as coaching clinics.

Are spouses and families allowed?
Generally families are accepted in the clubhouse but children must be
accompanied by adults. Many clubs allow a spouse or friend to accompany a player on his/her round as long as play is not impeded. However some are for members and players only, so check regulations beforehand.

Will I see wildlife on the course?
On rural courses small buck, monkeys, baboons, warthogs and zebra are part of the scenery. Where there may be visits from larger animals, the course is usually patrolled and warnings given. Some waterholes have notices of habitation by crocodiles. Wild animals will nearly always keep well away from players and, when common sense is exercised, there is no danger.

When is the best time for a holiday?
This depends on where you're planning to play. In South Africa, for example, Cape courses are at their best between October and April, and those in Gauteng between September and March. In KwaZulu-Natal and the Cape conditions are usually good year round, as in Kenya. In North Africa spring (mid-March to mid-June) is pleasant and free from the tourists and summer heat.

Are courses busy as in the UK?
During school or public holidays and weekends, courses can be popular.
Weekends are often reserved for members. On weekdays, few golfers are out.
Tee-off times at most top courses can be booked for the current week.

Travel Planning

There is no doubt that Africa offers unrivalled opportunities to integrate golf into a great holiday. The following sample itineraries give you an idea of how some golf tour operators try to strike the right balance between playing time and leisure time.

South Africa General Overview

Distant Landings

17 days, 9/10 rounds of golf

Day 1
Arrive Cape Town. Collect rental car and spend day at leisure.

Day 2
Day at leisure. Visit Table Mountain, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront or Robben Island.

Day 3
Morning golf at Mowbray Park Golf Club. Afternoon at leisure.

Day 4
Morning golf at Royal Cape Golf Club. Afternoon scenic drive around Cape Peninsula.

Day 5
Morning golf at Stellenbosch or Erinvale. Afternoon exploring winelands and historic Stellenbosch.

Day 6
Morning golf at Milnerton Golf Club, with views over Table Bay. Afternoon at leisure.

Day 7
Air transfer or self-drive to George, on the Garden Route. Overnight at the Fancourt Hotel & Country Club Estate.

Day 8
Golf on Outeniqua course and relax at Fancourt.

Day 9
Explore Wilderness, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay and Tsitsikamma NP.

Day 10
Golf on Montague course and relax at the Fancourt.

Day 11
Morning golf at George Golf Club, before drive to Oudtschoorn. Visit Ostrich Farm and explore Cango Caves.

Day 12
Depart Fancourt and drive to Shamwari Private Game Reserve, near Grahamstown.

Day 13
Full day of safari activities at Shamwari.

Day 14
Return car to Port Elizabeth for flight to Johannesburg. Transfer to Sun City. Afternoon free.

Day 15
Morning golf at Gary Player Country Club and afternoon at leisure.

Day 16
Morning golf at Lost City Golf Course and afternoon game viewing at nearby Pilanesberg National Park.

Day 17
Morning at leisure or a final round of golf before afternoon transfer to Johannesburg for international flight.

South Africa Golf, Game and Beach

African Fun Tours

9 days, 4 rounds of golf

Day 1
Arrive Johannesburg. Road transfer to Sun City.

Day 2
Golf on the Gary Player Course at Sun City

Day 3
Direct flight to Mpumulanga and transfer to game lodge in time for an evening game drive in the Kruger National Park.

Day 4
Golf on the Hans Merensky Golf Course near Kruger Park.

Day 5
Game viewing activities exploring the Kruger National Park.

Day 6
Fly to Durban. Afternoon golf at Zimbali Golf Course. Overnight Umhlanga Rocks Hotel.

Day 7
City tour of Durban, including time for shopping or relaxing on the beach.

Day 8
Golf at Durban Country Club

Day 9
Fly to Johannesburg for international flight.