The Garden Route, better known for its scenery, is also home to the BIG 5... golf courses that is. 

The celebrity…

Designed by golfing legend Gary Player, the well-known Fancourt is situated in George. It is here where 400 million viewers got to witness the playoff between our own Ernie Els and Tiger Woods, in the 2003 Presidents Cup after a historic tie. Fancourt Hotel and Country Club Estate has joined the prestigious Leading Hotels of the World Fraternity. And the Fancourt Spa has also been accredited with an award for Leading Spas of the World. This golf and spa resort epitomizes elegance and gaining membership means going through a stringent screening before admittance is allowed.

The underrated…

Rated amongst the top 10 golf courses in South Africa, George Golf Course is a beautifully manicured, 72 par, 18 hole-course. Its bent greens are set in the heart of the Garden Route. Being a neighbour to Fancourt Links, George Golf Course has also hosted many prestigious events. The vegetation and the large dam make the course a challenge for the most distinguished golfer - but it is none-the-less welcomed as it adds to the course’s beauty.

The high-and-low…

Located on the peninsula but situated on the juts of the Indian Ocean, Mossel Bay Golf Course was created by Bob Grimsdell in 1957. Upgraded to an 18-hole links-style course, this golf course offers the adamant golfer magnificent views of the ocean from every hole. Mossel Bay Golf Course ventures out one step further by offering a golf tour to suit all levels, even the wannabe-golfer. You can focus on perfecting your golfing technique or opt for a combination of golf, sightseeing, safaris and fine dining.

The ocean view…

Goose Valley Golf Course is just 2km away from Plettenberg Bay. It doesn’t only offer the golfer the view of the ocean, but of the Keurboom Lagoon and the Tsitsikamma Mountains. In 2002, the course was revamped by the Gary Player Design Company. This 72 par, 18 hole golf course is set amongst natural fynbos. While additional trees, animal and bird life all add to the backdrop of the Goose Valley Golf Course. Since its reconstruction, this course has matured and positioned itself to rank amongst the 15 best-conditioned golf courses in South Africa.

The oasis…

The Oudtshoorn Golf Course is situated in the Little Karoo. Its setup forms an oasis of green fairways in the dry scrubland, epitomizing the area. The Little Karoo occasionally receives rain so it is slightly off what you'd expect of a true desert. The course is irrigated with sewage water and this makes it playable all year-round. The 72 par, 6 210-metre layout is a challenging and enjoyable one with pepper, palm and blue gum trees lining the fairways. Three large pepper trees adorn the middle of the fairway at the 497-metre, par-five 13th hole. The large dam on the 13th hole is also nature reserve, taking into consideration the wellbeing of Mother Nature.

So the next time you in the Garden Route, check out one of these spectacular golf courses and enjoy all its splendour.

The Garden Route, better known for its scenery, is also home to the BIG 5…golf courses that is.

The celebrity…

Designed by golfing legend Gary Player, the well-known Fancourt is situated in George. It is here where 400 million viewers got to witness the playoff between our own Ernie Els and Tiger Woods, in the 2003 Presidents Cup after a historic tie. Fancourt Hotel and Country Club Estate has joined the prestigious Leading Hotels of the World Fraternity. And the Fancourt Spa has also been accredited with an award for Leading Spas of the World. This golf and spa resort epitomizes elegance and gaining membership means going through a stringent screening before admittance is allowed.

The underrated…
Rated amongst the top 10 golf courses in South Africa, George Golf Course is a beautifully manicured, 72 par, 18 hole-course. Its bent greens are set in the heart of the Garden Route. Being a neighbour to Fancourt Links, George Golf Course has also hosted many prestigious events. The vegetation and the large dam make the course a challenge for the most distinguished golfer - but it is none-the-less welcomed as it adds to the course’s beauty.

The high-and-low…
Located on the peninsula but situated on the juts of the Indian Ocean, Mossel Bay Golf Course was created by Bob Grimsdell in 1957. Upgraded to an 18-hole links-style course, this golf course offers the adamant golfer magnificent views of the ocean from every hole. Mossel Bay Golf Course ventures out one step further by offering a golf tour to suit all levels, even the wannabe-golfer. You can focus on perfecting your golfing technique or opt for a combination of golf, sightseeing, safaris and fine dining.

The ocean view…
Goose Valley Golf Course is just 2km away from Plettenberg Bay. It doesn’t only offer the golfer the view of the ocean, but of the Keurboom Lagoon and the Tsitsikamma Mountains. In 2002, the course was revamped by the Gary Player Design Company. This 72 par, 18 hole golf course is set amongst natural fynbos. While additional trees, animal and bird life all add to the backdrop of the Goose Valley Golf Course. Since its reconstruction, this course has matured and positioned itself to rank amongst the 15 best-conditioned golf courses in South Africa.

The oasis…
The Oudtshoorn Golf Course is situated in the Little Karoo. Its setup forms an oasis of green fairways in the dry scrubland, epitomizing the area. The Little Karoo occasionally receives rain so it is slightly off what you'd expect of a true desert. The course is irrigated with sewage water and this makes it playable all year-round. The 72 par, 6 210-metre layout is a challenging and enjoyable one with pepper, palm and blue gum trees lining the fairways. Three large pepper trees adorn the middle of the fairway at the 497-metre, par-five 13th hole. The large dam on the 13th hole is also nature reserve, taking into consideration the wellbeing of Mother Nature.