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Leopard Creek
This private and exclusive course is set in the bushveld adjoining the southern border of the Kruger National Park. It is a spectacular Gary Player design with holes bordering the Crocodile River. Wild animals such as giraffe and ‘Harry' the hippo are sighted more regularly on your round than other golfers. The signature hole is the par 5 13th which has a stream running down the left hand side of the fairway. The striking beauty of the hole is the position of the green overlooking the Crocodile River where plenty of wild animals can be seen whilst you putt. |
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The Links
The Links at Fancourt was designed by Gary Player from a piece of land that was originally an airfield. This has now been converted into the most stunning man-made Links golf course. It will challenge the very best golfers as it is considered to be the most difficult course in South Africa. It was also the venue for the Presidents Cup in 2003. Each hole has a unique feature such as the short 2nd and its bunker in the middle of a 2 tier green to the 15th which many consider to be the signature hole. This is called ‘Roon the Bend' and is a dogleg hole swinging around a wetland and ending on a peninsular green. |
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Gary Player Country Club
This is arguably South Africa's most famous golf course due to its status as host of the Nedbank Golf Challenge at Sun City. The course cuts through the middle of the African bush and is set alongside a nature reserve. Ranked number 1 in South Africa until 2003, it is ideally set up for those on holiday with some fair forward tees. The par five 9th hole at over 500 metres, finishing at a small island green will leave most amateurs the challenge of attempting to reach the green with two huge shots.
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Pinnacle Point
This opened in 2006 with the promise of being one of the most dramatic golf courses in the world. Situated on sloping cliffs overlooking the Indian Ocean there is a stupendous view from each hole. The best example the 7th , measuring just 111 metres, requires you to hit your shot across a ravine with the sea below to a green 40 metres below the tee on the edge of a cliff face. If you just edge your ball a little too far right it is a goner. This hole characterises Pinnacle Point. |
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Montagu at Fancourt
In 2004 the golf course underwent a dramatic and superb redesign when two new holes were added, the greens redone, and new tees created. The changes to this golf course make it still one of the top in South Africa. Among the many excellent holes lies the par four 6th, which is bordered by a stream on the left, and must be carried for a second shot. |
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Durban CC
This gently undulating course is built in high dunes by the sea, with the holes running through dense tropical vegetation. The third hole is considered to be one of the best par 5's in the world, where you play off a high tee to a narrow stretch of fairway framed by a large, deep bunker on the left hand side. One of the oldest courses in South Africa, it has been host to the South African Open more times than any other. Despite modern technology it has held up to remain a narrow and challenging course. |
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Pearl Valley
This course was designed by Jack Nicklaus and opened in 2003. It is laid out on a flat property situated between the Paarl mountain range and the Berg River not far from Franschhoek in the Winelands.. The clever course design and the excellent fairways, regarded as the best in the country, make it suitable for all levels of golfers. The two most challenging and pleasing holes are the 7th and the 8th which have been built around a large dam.
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Arabella
The golf course opened in 1999 and immediately received accolades for its classic design set on meandering landscape bordering the famed Bot Rivier lagoon. Arabella means 'beautiful land' in Italian and it is no coincidence that this translates to the experience enjoyed by every golfer on this well-endowed course. The tough and scenic par three 17 th alongside the lagoon requires a precise tee shot to a narrow green as misplaced shots land on the beach. |
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Wild Coast Country Club
Playing at this course is a truly remarkable experience. The course descends into ravines and climbs up over waterfalls, with breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean and rocky terrain. It is relatively short and depending on the wind fairly easy to conquer. Golf carts are now compulsory as it has some long walks from tee to green The 13th tee shot carries a ravine, and the green here is partly hidden by bushes and rocks. |
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St Francis Links
When Jack Nicklaus saw the land on which he was to build St. Francis Links he said that this would be the best course he would ever design. Opened in 2006, the first 9 holes cut through the dunes and each hole is its own natural amphitheatre. The second 9 are far more open with some spectacular views stretching across St. Francis Bay and a fair amount of natural water. The par five 13th ‘Bear Claws' is named after the great man himself and with water running the whole length of the hole accuracy is paramount. |
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George
In recent years the course has been noticeably improved and now has bent grass greens and kikuyu fairways with a central dam introduced to this classic layout. This has added a visual splendour and remains one of the most popular stops for golfers conveniently located on the Garden Route. The course is well guarded by trees and the fairways and greens are protected by many well shaped bunkers. The 17th hole is a true challenge, and is played from an elevated tee and requires a fairway wood to a narrow green, where there are two bunkers waiting to catch your shot.
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Pezula
Undoubtedly one of the best golfing locations on the African continent, the course lies above the famous Knysna Heads overlooking the Indian Ocean. The course has encompassed the many moods on offer on this varied and hilly terrain. Dramatic downhill holes, backed by the Ocean, as well as classic sweeping fairways winding through forested areas create more than enough drama in a round. Golfers completing a round here will leave knowing they have played a major challenge, particularly if the strong breezes decide to accompany them. The dramatic short par four 14th, only 275 metres in length, visually will not be forgotten.
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Pecanwood
This Jack Nicklaus designed course is typical of his style, with sweeping features and a variety of strategic options. It lies on the banks of the Hartbeespoort Dam, conveniently located between Johannesburg International Airport and Sun City. The par three 13th hole is regarded as the signature hole measuring 187 metres from the back tee and plays over a corner of the dam.
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Humewood
This championship course, situated in on the seashore of Port Elizabeth, hosted the SA Open in December 2006. It is very exposed to the wind and has two separate nines coming back to the clubhouse. The back nine are the more attractive choice which snake their way through the large dunes. It might be unlucky for some, but the 13th is a really demanding test climbing gradually up and over a rolling fairway to a green perched on the crest of a sand dune.
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Simola
Opened in 2005 and designed by Jack Nicklaus, Simola lies high in the hills above Knysna. The views of the region are particularly good, with lots of elevation and dramatic tee shots to be faced. The elevation changes ensure that everyone has their own favourite hole. One of the most attractive is the 8th , which plays down a narrow incline to a small green. Buggies are essential unless you are incredibly fit. |
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