Top golf estate properties in SA
Over the past decade, golf estates have become the preferred residence for wealthy South Africans. The upcoming development of Steyn City represents a logical next step, adding shops, parks, a hospital and offices onto the traditional golf estate model.
Pearl Valley Golf & Country Estate is arguably the best all round golf estate in the country.
In this feature we review the top golf estates currently in South Africa. Ratings criteria include:
- Quality and design of houses
- Exclusivity
- Average stand size and placing / spacing of houses
- Scenery and wildlife
- Facilities – including spa, bars, parks, shops and restaurants
- Security
- Golf course quality and rating
According to Western Cape golf estate expert Basil Weinrich, the top things wealthy people look for when buying a golf estate property are security, scenery and house design. House location and spacing is also critical.
The most exclusive
Leopard Creek is on the top of many South African’s lists of golf estates. Unlike traditional golf estates, Leopard Creek has no houses on the course itself. Instead stands are located next the game fence that looks onto the Kruger National Park.
Atlantic Beach is the ‘hidden gem’ of South African golf estates. Located betweenBlouberg and Melkbostrand in Cape Town, it is home to some of the most spectacular houses in the country.
These limited stands are owned by some of the wealthiest individuals in the country, along with large companies that use them for senior management getaways.
Leopard Creek is the brainchild of magnate Johann Rupert and is usually rated as one of the top 5 golf courses by Golf Digest, along with Fancourt Links, Sun City, Arabella and Pearl Valley. Facilities at the estate are limited but it scores highly when it comes to scenery, golf course design and security.
The most picturesque
Arabella is arguably the most picturesque golf estate in the country, with several lakes and fynbos wild zones. It is located on the Bot RiverLagoon, 28 miles west of Hermanus.
Leopard Creek is on the top of many South African’s lists of golf estates.
There are 236 freehold properties on the estate, all designed to high specifications. Only a few of the holes have houses on them and as a result stands are limited. Arabella also contains a highly rated spa.
The hidden gem
Atlantic Beach is the ‘hidden gem’ of South African golf estates. Located between Blouberg and Melkbostrand in Cape Town, it is home to some of the most spectacular houses in the country.
The estate also operates as a wildlife sanctuary, with several wild animals such as antelope living on the property. Like Arabella, Atlantic Beach makes the most of the local fynbos vegetation which engulfs most of the holes on the course, making it a very challenging course to play.
Unlike traditional golf estates, the houses at Atlantic Beach are located well off the fairways, so wayward balls are unlikely to bother residents. – Andrew Amoils
Arabella is arguably the most picturesque golf estate in the country, with several lakes and fynbos wild zones.
The all rounder
Pearl Valley Golf & Country Estate is arguably the best all round golf estate in the country.
It features one of the top 5 golf courses in the country, well designed homes, a highly rated spa, natural fynbos scenery, mountain backdrops, several lakes and it is located within 30 minutes ofStellenbosch and Cape Town.
Furthermore, stand sizes are relatively large and well-spaced. It is also a sanctuary for over 120 species of birds including the iconic African Fish Eagle and Malachite Kingfisher.