New Golf Courses Opening in South Africa, 2026
South Africa's newest golf is resort led, headlined by Zimbali Lakes, an Ernie Els signature course on the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast. With Leopard Creek reopening after a revamp, the country's best known names are leading the change.
Photo via Google.
Resort golf leads the way
South Africa is not in the middle of a course building boom, but its newest golf is among the most appealing in the southern hemisphere. The story for 2026 is led by resort and signature projects, headlined by a new Ernie Els course on the KwaZulu-Natal coast and a significant revamp at one of the country's most famous layouts.
Below we cover what is genuinely new and changed: the recently opened course worth a detour, the marquee renovation, and what it means for a trip. As with any resort development, conditioning on a young course settles over time, so check before you build a trip around an opening.
New South African golf, 2026 at a glance
| Project | Where | Status in 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Zimbali Lakes | Ballito, KwaZulu-Natal North Coast | New Ernie Els signature course, open recently with resort construction ongoing |
| Leopard Creek | Malelane, Mpumalanga | Reopened after a revamp that repositioned fairway bunkers and redesigned the 12th |
What is actually new
Zimbali Lakes, Ernie Els on the North Coast
The headline new course is Zimbali Lakes, an Ernie Els signature design at Ballito on the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast, part of the wider Zimbali coastal resort development around 40 minutes north of Durban. It has been open only a short time, with construction at the resort still ongoing, so it is one to watch as it matures, and a natural addition to a coastal KwaZulu-Natal golf trip.
Leopard Creek's refresh
The most significant change at an established course is at Leopard Creek, the famous Gary Player design on the edge of the Kruger National Park. It reopened after a revamp that repositioned fairway bunkers and redesigned the 12th hole, sharpening one of the great experiences in world golf without altering its character. For anyone who has played it before, the changes are reason enough to return.
The wider picture
Beyond these, South Africa's appeal in 2026 rests on its established depth, from the Garden Route to the Cape and the Highveld, rather than a wave of openings. The smart trip pairs the newest resort golf with the proven classics, taking advantage of a strong exchange rate and superb conditioning.
Our take
For the traveling golfer, South Africa in 2026 offers a young Els course to fold into a coastal itinerary and a freshened version of a bucket list favourite. Neither requires you to gamble on an unproven opening, which makes for an easy trip to plan.
Our advice is to anchor a trip on the established giants and add Zimbali Lakes on the coast as it settles. Combine a Kruger leg around the reworked Leopard Creek with the KwaZulu-Natal coast or the Cape. Our South Africa destination hub and the best courses in South Africa list are the places to anchor the plan.
Plan a South Africa golf trip
Want a 2026 trip built around the new Zimbali Lakes course and South Africa's classics? Tell us your dates and group and one concierge will shape the route, tee times and lodging, costed to the head, with no obligation.
New South African courses, your questions
Are any new golf courses opening in South Africa in 2026?
The headline new course is Zimbali Lakes, an Ernie Els signature design at Ballito on the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast. It opened recently with resort construction still ongoing, so it is a young course that will keep maturing through 2026.
What changed at Leopard Creek?
Leopard Creek, the Gary Player course near the Kruger National Park, reopened after a revamp that repositioned fairway bunkers and redesigned the 12th hole, refreshing one of the country's most celebrated layouts.
Where is Zimbali Lakes?
Zimbali Lakes is at Ballito on the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast, around 40 minutes north of Durban, within the Zimbali coastal resort. It pairs naturally with the other coastal courses in the region.
Related
The Tee Sheet
Tee time windows, course access changes and the trips worth taking. Every other week.
Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. South African course openings and renovation status compiled June 2026 from South African golf media and resort announcements; young courses keep maturing. Last reviewed June 2026.