Leopard Creek Golf Club

Reclaiming the No. 1 spot in the 2023 South African Golf Course rankings, Leopard Creek Golf Club borders the picturesque Crocodile River and the Kruger National Park. This is African golf at its best and most unique. The ultimate vision of Leopard Creek, built by Gary Player, was to create an ‘Augusta in Africa’ and no expense has been spared creating the masterpiece. This is one of the most popular requests for South Africa golf holidays, and is easy to combine with some time on a safari holiday in the Kruger region.

The course went through massive remodelling in 2017 and finally re opened for play on the 1st May 2018. For the most part the redesign has made the course a little friendlier for high handicappers but more penalising for the longer hitters. Some of the streams that bisected fairways have been removed but in place bigger green side bunkers have appeared on the 1st and 5th.

The bunkering has been softened, either because they have been flattened out or strategically moved forward. The course has been reseeded with a new grass and the drainage improved, resulting in a lush, carpet like fairway.

Leopard Creek is  determined to maintain its exclusivity. Membership is by invitation only and members include the likes of Ernie Els and Jack Nicklaus. Guests staying at select hotels or safari lodges in the area may get on the course only by successful application and a hefty green fee which is roughly the same as the green fee at the top courses in Europe or America. The green fee has risen again in 2022.

Golfing hazards take on a new dimension at Leopard Creek as some of the water is home to hippos, and the creature for which the adjacent river is named – crocodile. The signature hole is the 18th, this par 5 is not particularly long at 475m but the island green presents a tricky shot over water. For mere mortals it is best to lay up first!

The 13th is equally dramatic, with the green ‘floating’ above the Crocodile River which separates the course from the Kruger National Park. A creek first splits the fairway and then runs alongside the left hand side of the hole. The green is built out over the river, which runs underneath. Take a moment to look along the bank of the river below and see if any animals have come down to drink.

An exceptional environment, unique in its location, Leopard Creek is a notable addition to the world’s most celebrated golf courses. A must-play course for anyone on a South African golfing holiday, but pricey compared to other South African courses. The green fee does at least include your cart and a delicious halfway house styled on a traditional English cream tea!

There is a choice of safari lodges and accommodation nearby and we include Leopard Creek as one of the courses on our Luxury Kruger Golfing Safari Itinerary.

For more information about South Africa golfing holidays and playing at Leopard Creek, contact us here or speak to our South Africa golf holidays team on +44 208 249 5919.