South Africa's number one course, clifftop holes over the Indian Ocean, the Stellenbosch winelands and one of the world's great coastal drives. World class golf at a price that still feels like a secret.
Photograph: Fancourt, The Links via Google
This is the South African golf trip that has it all, and it suits golfers who want a genuine holiday wrapped around the rounds rather than a relentless schedule of tee times. Base in Cape Town for the winelands and the city, then track east along the N2 through the forests, lagoons and beaches of the Garden Route, with a marquee links waiting at George. The scenery is the equal of the golf, which means non golfing partners are as happy as the players.
It works for couples, for buddies groups, and for anyone who likes the idea of pairing golf with wine, whales and the chance to bolt on a Big Five safari. The exchange rate is the quiet bonus: a strong currency back home stretches a long way here, so the green fees, the food and the five star lodges all land as exceptional value.
The headline round is Fancourt's The Links, widely rated South Africa's best course and reserved for resort residents, so a night or two at Fancourt is the centre of gravity. Around it, build in the clifftop drama of Pinnacle Point, the forests of Simola, and a Cape Town winelands round at Steenberg.
A man made Scottish style links carved from flat farmland into towering created dunes, host of the 2003 Presidents Cup and consistently rated South Africa's number one course. Play is reserved for Fancourt residents and members, so it anchors a stay at the resort.
A dramatic clifftop fynbos course where seven holes line the Indian Ocean cliffs, four of them played over ocean carries. Designed by Peter Matkovich with Open champion Darren Clarke, it is the round everyone photographs on the Garden Route.
A forested, elevated Nicklaus signature layout high above Knysna, with big elevation changes and an unusual run of five par 5s and five par 3s. A spectacular inland contrast to the coastal courses.
Set among the vineyards of the historic Steenberg wine estate in the Constantia Valley, with water laced fairways and a par 3 seventh to an island green. The natural pairing of Cape Town golf and a cellar tour.
Designers, opening years and pars verified June 2026 from the clubs and leading course databases. Fancourt's The Links is reserved for residents and members. Green fees are indicative third party figures for the 2026 season and change with demand. Always confirm directly before booking.
Settle into the city or the Constantia Valley. A round at Steenberg among the vines, then a cellar tour and dinner, with Table Mountain and the Cape peninsula for the rest day.
East on the N2 through forests, lagoons and beaches toward George, breaking the journey at Hermanus or Mossel Bay. Settle into Fancourt for the heart of the trip.
The marquee round on The Links at Fancourt, then a clifftop round at Pinnacle Point in Mossel Bay, with the resort's Montagu and Outeniqua courses on hand for a spare round.
A forest round at Simola above Knysna, the lagoon and the oysters below. Fly home from George, or extend with a Big Five safari at a Garden Route or Eastern Cape lodge.
Cape Town to George along the Garden Route is roughly four and a half to five hours, often split with an overnight. Within the Garden Route, George to Mossel Bay is about 45 minutes and George to Knysna about an hour.
| Course or package | Indicative 2026 guide | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pinnacle Point green fee | around ZAR 2,200, near 135 US dollars | Clifftop course, books out months ahead in summer |
| Steenberg green fee | around ZAR 1,450 | Constantia winelands, Cape Town |
| Fancourt | resident and member play | Built into a stay and play package at the resort |
| Multi night golf package, per person | from around 1,789 pounds | Several courses, lodging and transfers |
| Golf and safari combination | quoted bespoke | Multi night with a game lodge added |
Indicative third party figures for the 2026 season, shown to set expectations only, converting at roughly ZAR 16 to the US dollar. We are a guide and trip planner, never the operator, and never quote our own pricing. Prices move with demand and exchange rates, so always confirm directly before booking.
Cape Town and the Western Cape are at their best in the dry, sunny summer from November to March, when the city sparkles and the winelands are in full swing, while the winter from June to August is the rainy season and less reliable for golf. The Garden Route is more temperate and plays well year round, with the spring and autumn shoulders the most settled. The sweet spot for a combined trip is the shoulder seasons of September to November or March to May, which give good weather in both areas, lighter crowds and better rates than peak summer. Book Fancourt and the marquee coastal rounds well ahead in the summer high season.
Tell us roughly when and who is travelling, and whether you want a safari added. One concierge costs the golf, the lodges and the transfers to the head and replies within one working day, with no obligation.
Cape Town is at its best in the dry summer from November to March, while the Garden Route is temperate and playable year round. The shoulder seasons of September to November and March to May give good weather across both areas with lighter crowds.
Fancourt's The Links near George is widely rated South Africa's number one course, a Gary Player design that hosted the 2003 Presidents Cup. Play is reserved for Fancourt residents and members, so it is built into a stay at the resort. Pinnacle Point and Simola are outstanding alternatives.
Yes. A favourable exchange rate makes green fees, dining and lodging excellent value against Europe and the United States, with indicative 2026 green fees at top courses often near 130 to 140 US dollars. Always confirm directly before booking.
Easily. Many groups bolt on a Big Five safari at a malaria free Eastern Cape reserve or a Garden Route game lodge, so non golfers get the wildlife while the golfers play. We route the safari and the golf together when we cost the trip.
Course openings, shoulder season value and the trips worth taking. Every other week.
Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Course designers, opening years and pars verified June 2026; green fees and package ranges are indicative for the 2026 season. Last reviewed June 2026.