GOLF TRAVEL
Whether you call it“ Gwara gwara” or simply golf, in South Africa the game is about much more than neatly cut fairways, expensive clubs, and that one mate who takes five minutes to read a two-metre putt.
Across Mzansi, golf courses tell stories too: of people, places, history, and the communities that have grown around them.
For a heritage-inspired golf getaway, the beauty is that you don’ t have to choose between a good round and experiencing the real South Africa. You really can have both.
Take the Western Cape, home of the“ Gatsby”, as some would say. Golf around the Cape Winelands brings together mountain views, historic towns, and some seriously good food. A morning round can easily turn into an afternoon exploring Stellenbosch or Franschhoek, where Cape Dutch architecture, old vineyards, and local restaurants offer a taste of the province’ s rich history.
It’ s the kind of trip where one quick beer after golf can become a full-blown afternoon.
Further along the N2, George and the Garden Route offer another side of the golfing story. Courses here are framed by mountains, forests, and ocean, making the drive between rounds almost as enjoyable as the game itself. Add a stop in Knysna or Wilderness and you’ ve got the perfect mix of golf, nature, and laid-back coastal living.
Then there’ s KwaZulu-Natal, where golf comes with a generous helping of sunshine and history. Durban and its surrounding areas offer courses close to the Indian Ocean, while the province itself is packed with cultural experiences. From Zulu heritage to historic battlefields, there is plenty to explore once the scorecard is safely tucked away.
For something completely different, head inland towards Gauteng. Johannesburg and Pretoria may be known for business and city life, but their golf courses are surrounded by stories that stretch back generations. A golf weekend can easily become a chance to explore museums, heritage sites, old neighbourhoods, and the changing face of South African cities.
And let’ s not forget the Eastern Cape. Golf here feels slower, more relaxed, and wonderfully scenic. Places such as Gqeberha and the Wild Coast offer a chance to combine golf with intriguing coastal adventures and an appreciation of the province’ s diverse cultural heritage.
What makes a heritage golf trip special is that the golf is only part of the experience. It’ s the roadside padkos, the lekker braai after 18 holes, the local stories, the small-town stops, and the conversations with people you meet along the way.
So, pack the clubs, load up the car, and leave some room in the itinerary for the unexpected. In South Africa, the best golf trips aren’ t always about chasing the lowest score. Sometimes, they’ re about discovering where the fairway leads. IB
ROYAL CAPE GOLF CLUB – CAPE TOWN Established: 1885 PORT ELIZABETH GOLF CLUB – GQEBERHA Established: 1890 KIMBERLEY GOLF CLUB – KIMBERLEY Established: 1890 KING DAVID MOWBRAY GOLF CLUB – CAPE TOWN Heritage: Mowbray Golf Club was founded in 1910; the present club was formed through a merger in 2016 DURBAN COUNTRY CLUB – DURBAN Established: 1922
SEPTEMBER 2026 / INBOUND SA 45