South Africa has some of the best golf estates in the world, but these estates don’t just cater for golfing enthusiasts– they also offer an enviable lifestyle.
South Africa’s residential golf estates are among the best in the world. Their scenic settings and spectacular views are as much an attraction for visitors and residents as the world-class golf courses themselves. Over the years, many estates have evolved beyond a primarily golf-centred offering and now offer a full lifestyle experience, with features such as hotels, restaurants, shops, children’s activities and other sports facilities.
For many residents, it’s the secure lifestyle that is the prime motivation for choosing to buy into a golf estate. Families love that children have the freedom to be independent and retirees enjoy the reassurance of living in a safe environment. Easy access to the golf course and driving range are top of the list for golfers.
People who don’t play choose the golf estate lifestyle for the convenience of having all the facilities they need on their doorstep, such as a gym, a clubhouse and restaurant, spacious houses, landscaped surroundings, as well as views of the ocean, mountain, fynbos and forest.
The New World Wealth annual report assesses South Africa’s residential estates on a variety of criteria, such as the quality of the houses, the views, natural surroundings, security, investment potential and activities offered. We bring you the top 10 golf estates in South Africa from the recently released 2017 report, and their median prices as listed on Private Property..
Eye of Africa
With panoramic views of the Johannesburg skyline, Eye of Africa has a wide range of lifestyle amenities and is home to the only Greg Norman-designed golf course in South Africa. Buyers can select an empty stand to build their freehold luxury home or buy a house or apartment within one of the cluster villages.
The median asking price for a typical property (a four-bedroom house) is R5,75m.
The grand prize in this year’s Win a Home competition is a multi-million rand home on this stunning estate. Enter here and stand a chance to win.
eyeofafrica.co.za
Fancourt
Located on the scenic Garden Route, with mountains, forests and the warm Indian Ocean nearby, Fancourt o¬ffers three Gary Player-designed golf courses, five-star hotel accommodation, a spa, restaurants and a leisure centre. Residential property ranges from exclusive freestanding family homes in various architectural styles to lock-up-and-go holiday homes.
The median asking price for a typical property (a three-bedroom house) is R5m.
2 bedroom house for sale in Fancourt Hotel & Country Estate | Price: R4 200 000
fancourt.co.za
Pearl Valley at Val De Vie Estate
Surrounded by the Simonsberg and Drakenstein mountains in the beautiful Paarl-Franschhoek Valley, Pearl Valley boasts a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course and top-notch facilities, including a new luxury hotel and Camelot Spa. There’s a wide variety of luxury property on the estate, ranging from Polo Village apartments to Gentlemen’s Estates.
The median asking price for a typical property (a four-bedroom house) is R8,2m.
valdevie.co.za
Pezula Golf Estate
Perched on Knysna’s Eastern Head, with views of the ocean, lagoon, fynbos and forest, Pezula has its own private beach, nature trails through an Afromontane forest, a hotel and spa, and a world-class golf course designed by David Dale and Ronald Fream. Properties range from three-bedroom freestanding homes to large residences, with empty stands also available.
The median asking price for a typical property (a four-bedroom house) is R4,5m.
4 bedroom house for sale in Pezula Golf Estate | Price: R4 950 000
pezulagolfestate.com
Pinnacle Point Estate
Located on the Garden Route coastline near Mossel Bay, Pinnacle Point Estate is known for its spectacular cli¬ff-top golf course designed by Peter Matkovich. With beautiful beaches, the Pinnacle Point caves, a wellness spa and restaurants, it’s also a prime holiday destination. Spacious freestanding homes are surrounded by fynbos, with views over the golf course to the Indian Ocean.
The median asking price for a typical property (a four-bedroom house) is R4,9m.
pinnaclepointestate.co.za
Simola Golf and Country Estate
High on the hills above Knysna, overlooking the peaceful Knysna River to the lagoon and the ocean beyond, Simola Golf and Country Estate is a prime Garden Route lifestyle choice, with a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, a hotel, country club and spa. Available properties include freehold stands, villas and houses, sectional title apartments and chalets, and fractional ownership apartments.
The median asking price for a typical property (a four-bedroom house) is R7,5m.
simola.co.za
St Francis Links
Set on rolling dunes near the village of St Francis Bay in the Eastern Cape, St Francis Links estate has a Jack Nicklaus-designed links course and superb views of the mountains and ocean. Freestanding homes come in various sizes and the secure lifestyle estate is a popular permanent home to families and retirees, and a sought-after holiday destination.
The median asking price for a typical property (a four-bedroom house) is R4,1m.
stfrancislinks.com
Steenberg Golf Estate
In the lush Constantia Valley, surrounded by vineyards and mountains, and only 20 minutes from central Cape Town, Steenberg Golf Estate and the historic wine estate on which it stands o-ffer an enviable lifestyle. The world-class golf course is designed by Peter Matkovich and the luxury freestanding homes are some of the most sought-after properties in the area.
The median asking price for a typical property (a three-bedroom house) is R11m.
3 bedroom house for sale in Steenberg Golf Estate | Price: R10 995 000
steenberggolfclub.co.za
Steyn City Parkland Residence
On rolling hills just north of Fourways, Gauteng, Steyn City Parkland Residence is a complete lifestyle development. In addition to the Jack Nicklaus-designed championship golf course, residents enjoy restaurants; a gym; tennis courts; fishing; trails for walking, hiking, cycling; and horse riding. Properties in Steyn City include freestanding homes, clusters and apartments, and freehold stands in a parkland setting.
The median asking price for a typical property (a one-bedroom apartment) is R2,2m.
steyncity.co.za
Zimbali Coastal Resort
On the KwaZulu-Natal Dolphin Coast south of Ballito, Zimbali Coastal Resort is known for its five-star golf course designed by Tom Weiskopf, an abundance of fauna and flora, a variety of eateries and a gentle management style that fits in with nature. Properties in Zimbali include freehold and sectional title homes and freehold stands.
The median asking price for a typical property (a four-bedroom house) is R13,5m.
zimbali.co.za
The security is phenomenal here, the kids can walk home from the clubhouse on their own, we can walk the dogs or cycle on a multitude of safe trails, there’s lots of wildlife and it’s beautiful.
-Kay Aitcheson, resident Atlantic Beach.
Our top picks
- Best Golf Estates in Cape Town and the Winelands:
- Arabella Country Estate, Kleinmond
- Boschenmeer Golf Estate, Paarl
- De Zalze Golf Club, Stellenbosch
- Erinvale Estate, Somerset West
- Langebaan Country Estate, Langebaan
Best Golf Estates in Gauteng:
- Copperleaf Golf and Country Estate, Centurion
- Pecanwood Estate, Broederstroom
- Silver Lakes Golf Estate, Silver Lakes
- The Houghton, Houghton
- Dainfern Estate and Country Club, Dainfern
Best golf estates in KwaZulu-Natal
- Cotswold Downs Golf Estate, Hillcrest
- Gowrie Farm Golf and Fly-fishing Estate, Midlands
- San Lameer Estate, Southbroom
- Simbithi Eco Estate, Ballito
- Umhlali Golf and Country Estate, Dolphin Coast
Best golf estates in Garden Route:
- Kingswood Golf Estate, George
- Oubaai Golf Estate, George
- Mossel Bay Golf Estate, Mossel Bay
- Wedgewood Golf and Country Estate, Port Elizabeth
- Goose Valley Golf Estate, Plettenberg Bay
Other Provinces:
- Elements Private Golf Reserve, Bela Bela, Limpopo
- Euphoria Golf Estate and Hydro, Mookgophong, Limpopo
- Highland Gate Golf and Trout Estate, Dullstroom, Mpumalanga
- Millvale Golf Estate, Koster, North West
- Vaal de Grace Golf Estate, Parys, Free State
This article originally appeared in Neighbourhood, Sunday Times.
