Golfing the Savannah
The game is truly a global community
by Ian Hulsey, MSGA Membership Services Coordinator
Golf is a worldwide sport. Played and beloved by millions, it continues to grow and thrive, especially in recent years. For example, the World Handicap System, implemented in 2020, is working to unify the game around the globe. It is currently used in 130 countries, which includes a healthy list of associations. From mountains, coastlines, forests, and savannahs, golf links find their home everywhere.
Vibrant, exotic, and mysterious, Africa shines as an example of what golf can really be. When my wife and I traveled this summer, we were mainly thinking about the coming Safari. But golf soon became a driving factor of interest in this vast continent.
First stop, South Africa.
What do you need for a perfect game of golf? How about good weather and good courses. South Africa has both. Most golfing meccas have just one, like Great Britain. Sure, it has first-class courses rich with quality and history…but the weather? Gloomy, cloudy, rainy. Not all the time, of course. I’ve enjoyed some sunny days in England, but those tend to be less numerous. Not ideal for an outside sport.
You won’t find that in South Africa, which is warm and dry, while avoiding the extremes. Year-round, temperatures in the 60s and 70s are likely to be in the forecast, with a few 80s sprinkled in.
It’s got the golf courses, too. One of the first recorded courses in the country is the Cape Golf Club, established around 1885 in Cape Town. Later, it was renamed the Royal Cape Golf Glub, and it remains one of the country’s most prestigious and well-respected courses to play.
As the resources continued to grow, so did the locations. Cities like Johannesburg and Durban quickly laid the foundations for their golfing communities as well. Other local favorites include the Gary Player-designed Leopard Creek Country Club, with a polished layout and views of elephants across the river. Where else can you see that while playing a round?
For a more challenging experience, try the Jack Nicklaus-designed St. Francis Links, showcasing towering sand dunes and sloping greens guarded by deep bunkers.
South Africa also has a rich tournament history as well. The first official South African Open was held in 1903, and is one of the oldest in the world. Initially a competition played by British and Scottish players, it quickly became a place for local talent to show their skills.
Out of the 20th century came some of the game’s most recognized and respected players, all born and raised South Africans. For example, Bobby Locke rose to fame and won an astonishing nine South African Open titles in the years from 1935-1955. Arguably the most famous South African golfer, Gary Player, won nine major championships, including three Masters titles. He also became a promoter and ambassador for the game in South Africa, designing several world-class courses such as the one mentioned earlier.
South Africa continues to roll out famous players. Ernie Els brought his smooth, effortless swing, earning him the nickname, “The Big Easy.”
The stunning and uniquely diverse landscapes, the rich history, and the pleasant weather of South Africa make this, in my mind, one of the premier golf destinations on our planet.
Next stop, Zimbabwe.
One of my biggest takeaways from this region is the people. Warm, dynamic, and hospitable are just a few qualities in this area that I won’t forget. These qualities translate to the golfing community as well. The original foundations of the game were built by the heavy British influence of the early 20th century. They brought their refined, tried-and-true methods to the links. At first, golf in this area was only played by colonial officials and the privileged. But in time, the locals became entranced by the game and popularized it.
Among the first clubs built in Zimbabwe was The Royal Harare Golf Club, established in1898. The Zimbabwe Golf Association was formed in 1980, which helped to stabilize and fuel the game’s growth even further. The immaculately kept greens and challenging obstacles showcase how proud the Zimbabweans are of their courses. Another gem is the Elephant Hills Golf Club, blending golf with jaw-dropping views of the nearby Zambezi River and, of course, Victoria Falls. The dry season from May to October is fantastic for golfing, as temperatures are mild and rainfall is minimal.
The locals will excitedly rattle off several courses that “everybody” plays, so many I could hardly keep enough mental notes to keep up. They love it. They were so humble and more than happy to show us around. They considered hosting us and our other activities a privilege. If you haven’t yet experienced a true African Safari, I recommend it as one of the unforgettable highlights of my life.
Southern Africa is a unique treasure. What other place in the world can you swing a club near a wild elephant, or near a roaming lion’s back yard? As the game of golf continues to grow around the world, who knows what other treasures are waiting to be discovered? Just don’t forget your golf bag, like I did.