The Links at Fancourt, South Africa

Golf legend Gary Player has designed over 300 courses in his career yet he considers The Links at Fancourt to be his greatest feat. Opened in 2000, the course is ranked as the best in South Africa and regularly ranks as one of the top 50 courses in the world. It’s modelled after a traditional Scottish links and is a tough course that will challenge even the most experienced golfer. Fancourt is a private club with a suitably exclusive atmosphere, but a few precious tee times are available to guests staying one of the hotels on the estate.

Leopard Creek Club, South Africa

The Leopard Creek course is the work of two golfing greats, Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus. Player designed the original course, opened in 1996, and Nicklaus advised on a radical overhaul some years later. The result is a captivating course with pristine playing surfaces and many exciting strategic shots to play. Leopard Creek backs directly onto the famed Kruger National Park and sightings of elephant, hippo, crocodile, buffalo and antelope are common. Views over the Crocodile River are stunning, especially from the 13th hole where the green sits right on the river’s edge, more than 30 metres above the water.

Gary Player Country Club, South Africa

Part of the huge Sun City complex, the Gary Player Country Club is one of the world’s longest golf courses at almost 8,000 yards. It’s been one of South Africa’s landmark courses since it opened more than 30 years ago and has consistently been improved, with new back tees added and bunkers enlarged in recent years. It’s not a difficult course in itself, but the extreme length coupled with small greens make for challenging play. The experience is enhanced by the fantastic facilities of Sun City, with luxury hotels, endless restaurants, waterparks and entertainment right next door.

Ile aux Cerfs, Mauritius

In just over 2,000 square kilometres, the paradise island of Mauritius manages to squeeze in a dozen world-class golf courses. The most spectacular is Ile aux Cerfs (formerly known as Le Touessrok), an $11.5 million course set on a separate island off the east coast of Mauritius. Designed by Bernhard Langer, the par 72 course stretches for just over 7,000 yards. It opened in 2003 and has undergone extensive upgrades in recent years. There’s a big focus on water with ocean views from all 18 holes and nine lakes dotted throughout the course. Colin Montgomerie called Ile aux Cerfs a “must play” and golfers of all levels are sure to walk away feeling exhilarated.

Heritage Golf Club, Mauritius

Another of Mauritius’ stunning tropical courses, Heritage Golf Club hugs the southwest coast of the island, nestled between the Indian Ocean and rolling mountains. It’s a 27-hole course made up of an award-winning 18-hole championship course and a 9-hole par 3 that’s great for beginners. The course hosted the first ever tri-sanctioned tournament, endorsed by the European, Sunshine and Asian tours, and is regularly named as the best in the Indian Ocean. Pristine fairways, rolling greens and tricky water hazards will keep even experienced golfers on their toes. Don’t miss an after-game drink at the grand, tropical-style Club House.

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To find out more contact curious@forthandwonder.com.au or call 03 9045 9819 or complete our contact form and one of our Travel Designers will be in touch to start planning your dream escape.