When it comes to the game of golf, South Africa more than holds its own. For a start, the country has produced world-class players — think of Bobby Locke, Gary Player, Ernie Els, Retief Goosen, Trevor Immelman and Charl Schwartzel. South Africa is also among the top 20 countries when it comes to number of courses, with 420 — about 220 of them 18-holers.
Now it is looking to crack the rankings of top-rated golfing destinations; those are Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Turkey and Scotland.
There’s no reason South Africa shouldn’t make the list. ProGolf Africa Safaris co-owner Carl Reinders, who is also golf chapter chair of the South African Tourism Services Association (Satsa), tells the FM: “When considering the favourable weather, with golf courses open throughout the year, the quality of these courses, the variety and quality of the food and wine, the spectacular scenery and the opportunity to see Africa’s wildlife here in its natural environment, it’s clear that no country can offer as much as South Africa.”
It leaves the country well placed to tap into the lucrative golf tourism market — one of the fastest-growing tourism sectors across the globe. As news service Business Wire tells it, the golf tourism market will reach $41.87bn by 2030, growing 7.6% from 2022. That’s no surprise, given the interest in the game. The US alone has in the region of 25-million golfers, followed by Japan (8.5-million), the UK (993,000), Germany (652,000) and Sweden (540,000), says Reinders. And about 8-million golfers in affiliated nations are registered with global governing body The R&A.
Golf tourism can have a substantial impact on a country’s economy. According to a note by financial services group Investec, the US National Golf Foundation found that the game contributed $102bn to the economy in 2022, creating more than 1.6-million jobs. Factor in the secondary effects — travel, ancillary purchases and investment in golf estates — and the value runs north of $226bn.
The Investec note adds that GolfRSA CEO Grant Hepburn previously told Daily Maverick that in South Africa, the game contributes R49bn to the economy each year and provides jobs to about 40,000 people.
Satsa CEO David Frost says golf tourism, as a luxury segment of the market, has huge potential. “Golfers spend 120% more per person per day than the average tourist,” he says. “We aim to tap into this potential to promote high-value experiences across Southern Africa for both international and domestic travellers.”
Still, the competition is stiff. “The top five golfing destinations in the world have all consistently marketed themselves as preferred destinations, with tourism marketing programmes specifically focused on golf tourism,” says Reinders.
He points to Turkey in particular. The country has only 20 courses in total, but it has successfully marketed the Belek area as a choice golf destination, with hotels offering packages that include food and beverages as well as golfing.
According to Reinders, the three most important considerations for an international golf traveller are the quality of the courses, fair weather and the quality and value of food and beverages.
In terms of value and the overall offering, South Africa has far more to offer over and above the quality of our golf courses and hospitality
— Carl Reinders
The sand traps
South Africa is an inexpensive destination compared with the top five golf destinations in the world, says Reinders; green fees, caddies, food and beverages are far less expensive than those in any other quality golf destination. “The challenge, however, is that South Africa lacks overall [recognition] among global golf travellers as a choice destination.”
A second problem is that South Africa is a long-haul destination, Reinders adds.
Yet, he says, “in terms of value and the overall offering, South Africa has far more to offer over and above the quality of our golf courses and hospitality. When you add cultural experiences, gastronomy, wine, great weather all year round, the beauty of nature and, of course, safaris, there is no country that can compete with our offering.”
According to Golf Digest South Africa, Leopard Creek in Mpumalanga is now the top course in the country, followed by The Links at Fancourt, the St Francis Links (its highest position yet), Blair Atholl and Arabella at No 5 (its highest ranking since 2014).
These courses are well designed, in beautiful settings, and in extremely good condition, says Golf Digest South Africa editor Stuart McLean. “Those are the most important aspects. Also, they can host championships. They can test the best players in the world — and that’s a prerequisite.”
Unfortunately, McLean says, the emphasis on golf tourism in South Africa comes “a bit late in the day”, with Cape Town for years having pushed cycling ahead of golf. He says: “Golf started booming in South Africa 20 years ago; since 1994 more than 50 new courses were launched. Maybe the government didn’t realise it was so popular, but the country is a top golf destination.”
Nevertheless, Frost says, Satsa has been working to formalise a partnership with South African Tourism for the collaborative promotion of golf tourism. And Giltedge Travel CEO Murray Gardiner says the country is already growing into a golfing hub, with its host of well-conditioned, demanding golf courses. And, he says, standards of hospitality and service have shown marked improvement as the influx of international visitors has increased.
Gardiner says South Africa has always been a country of great contrasts, and this “is certainly reflected in the range of golf courses on offer, which is made dramatically different both by their design and their geographical location”.
In his view, the country has gems that “no other destination can offer” — such as Leopard Creek, where a golfer can tee up along the border of the Kruger National Park.
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