Fancourt Golf Estate

Fancourt has established itself as the top golfing destination in South Africa and deservedly so. With three courses maintained to the highest possible standards, this is a golfer’s dream destination. A mix of two parkland and one links-style course, there is plenty of variety. It is a ‘must-play’ destination for a South Africa golfing holidays.  It is ranked No.2 in the Top SA Golf Courses listings for 2023. Well deserved.

The Montagu is a parkland-style course, and a past holder of the Top South African Golf Course accolade. (Ranked No.5 in 2023) On the front nine, the course winds through wooded areas with quite tight fairways. There is also a lot of water, either running alongside the fairways or hazards around the greens. The course finishes with 2 spectacular holes, the 17th is a deceptive par 3 over water, with some mean bunkering that guards the front of the green. The final hole brings you back to the clubhouse with a rising par 5 and the front of the green protected by a small lake. You’ll need a great third shot to give you a chance of making the green in regulation, and if you over shoot, there are bunkers behind waiting for your ball. The course underwent some renovation and new greens in 2018 to bring it back to the kind of top condition that Fancourt is renowned for.

The Outeniqua Course, also in the parkland-style, is more forgiving, with wide, undulating fairways. There are some large expanses of water on the course which come into play on several holes. The 15th is a tricky downhill par 3 with water behind to receive any balls that overrun the ‘dance floor’. The course also winds through Cape Dutch style houses and picturesque landscaped grounds. It is not quite of the same standard at the Montagu but never the less, a really good course and always in excellent condition.

For those who really want to pit themselves against the elements, The Links Course at Fancourt is surely the ultimate test for any golfer. It is one of the most stunning and exclusive courses in the world. Voted the No. 2 golf course in South Africa in 2023, the Links was famously home to the 2003 Presidents Cup. The Links is a separate entity from the rest of the Fancourt Club, with its own clubhouse and limited membership. A restricted number of guests staying at the Fancourt Hotel are permitted to play a round on the course each day. A complimentary caddy is included in your green fee. You will soon see how necessary they are to you completing your round! From 2021 golf carts are also available for all golfers.

A round on the Links course is magical, it really is ‘millionaire’s golf’ with hardly another soul on the course. It goes without saying that it is in immaculate condition with carpet like fairways and lightning fast greens. In our opinion a high light of a South African golf holiday. Don’t miss it!

Fancourt also offers a comprehensive Golf Academy, the perfect location for honing your golf skills. There are 4 full holes which you can use as a pre-game warm up area. You can get tuition and a full swing analysis at the indoor teaching centre or hit practice balls on the range, or in the chipping and bunker practice areas.

The Fancourt Estate has a policy of providing local employment through its caddy scheme. It is compulsory to have a caddy, at least one per four ball on the Montagu and Outeniqua courses and each golfer has a complimentary caddy when playing on the Links. The caddies are rated according to their competence and knowledge and are costed to reflect their experience. Expect to pay your caddy, R270 for a round, and it is customary to give them R50 of that, when you stop at the halfway house so they can buy a snack.

Your Halfway House snack lunch is included in your green fee on all three courses.

It is necessary to stay at least one night at Fancourt in order to play on the Montagu and Outeniqua courses. However to play the Links course, you must be a hotel guest at Fancourt for at least two nights or a Member’s guest. Out of Africa Travel offer a number of South African golf holidays which include a chance to play at Fancourt but staying some nights at accommodation off the estate.

Course Information

Montagu     Outeniqua  Links

Holes               18              18           18

Par                  72              72            72

Type                Parkland     Parkland    Links

Length Mens     6324m       5986m      6477m

Length Ladies    5669m       4954m      5205m

For more information about golfing holidays in South Africa and playing at Fancourt, contact us here or call +44 208 249 5919 to speak to our South Africa golf holiday’s team.