Love Golf? Exotic Golf courses you’ll find only in South Africa

Golf courses with an ocean view? You’ll find those around the world. But when a monkey steals your ball from the fairway, or the hazard on the next par three features a crocodile, you know you’re in South Africa.

The picturesque Leopard Creek Golf Club. Image courtesy of Leopard Creek 

Courses set in South Africa's bushveld provide some of the most unique and memorable golfing experiences in the world. So if you’re looking to turn your next game into a mini-safari, look no further than some of these top South African courses.

Leopard Creek – Malelane

Innovative architectural and landscaping techniques have ensured that the Leopard Creek Country Club golf course blends in with the natural surroundings of the bordering Kruger National Park. It’s known as a paradise for birdwatchers, and the shade from the indigenous trees, some of them hundreds of years old, provides welcome relief from the heat of the bushveld.
The area is protected from wild animals, but you’ll still see hippo wallowing in the water hazards, or crocodiles basking in the sun on the banks. The 510m par five fourth is probably the most memorable hole on the course, with magnificent views of the Kruger National Park from the elevated green situated next to the Crocodile River. Don’t forget the sunscreen.
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Skukuza

Built in 1972, the Skukuza Golf Course was initially only open as a recreational facility for staff of the Kruger National Park’s Skukuza camp. It later became the first golf course set in a game reserve to be opened to park visitors.
The nine-hole course is not fenced in, which means unexpected visitors like baboon, zebra, impala and warthog are often seen parading across the fairways. Bear in mind that Saturdays are reserved for club days or sponsored events.
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An impala wanders across the fairway at Skukuza golf course. Image courtesy of Chris Eason

Legend Golf Resort – close to Mookghophong (Naboomspruit)

It’s not often you get to ride a helicopter to the top of a mountain, and then tee off hoping your ball finds the Africa-shaped green hundreds of metres below. Welcome to the Legend Golf & Safari Resort, a golfing experience nothing short of exceptional. Eighteen golf pros from around the world were chosen to each design a hole, including the likes of Bernard Langer, Vijay Singh, Retief Goosen and Sergio Garcia.
Then the ‘Extreme 19^th’ adds a finishing touch like no other, with the tee box situated atop the Hangklip Mountain, looming over the course and only accessible by helicopter. Want to know what you’re in for? Check out this video.
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Looking down from the epic 19th hole at Legend Golf & Safari Resort. Image courtesy of Legend Golf & Safari

Hans Merensky – Phalaborwa

The Hans Merensky course has been awarded for being the highest rated course in Limpopo province. And it’s not hard to see why – the course is kept in immaculate condition, and being next to the Kruger National Park also means a unique experience for golfers.
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A family of warthogs graze on Hans Merensky's fairways. Image courtesy Hans Merensky

Lost City – Sun City

South African golfing icon Gary Player designed this impressive par-72 course, set within the beautiful valleys of Sun City. The design incorporates a variety of course styles across 100ha. Watch out for the water hazard on the 13^th, where you are able to see a number of sluggish crocodiles (don't worry, they can't get near you).
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The gorgeous Lost City Golf Course. Image courtesy of Sun City South Africa

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