Weather conditions are great, most of the year, courses are in good condition and the exchange rate is perfect for tourist to come down for a golf safari. It’s not a surprise: golf nowadays is the fastest growing sport in South Africa. And Ernie Ells is the local Tiger Woods.

Because the British have had a great influence on the South African culture, the game of golf is being played here for a long time. The first national championship already dates back to 1892, in Kimberley. Although only players from Port Elizabeth and Cape Town competed against locals from Kimberley, this was the first inter-club championship in South Africa. Denholm Walker, from Cape Town, won this match.

The first official golf club saw the light of day in 1895 in Cape Town. Now South Africa counts about 400 golf courses, most of them in the areas of Gauteng, Kwazulu Natal and Cape Town. The best being Gary Player Golf Course in Sun City, but Cape Town also has its share of fine courses.

By far the most popular golfer in South Africa is Ernie Ells. He’s one of the reasons why the game grew even more over the last years. At the moment he’s places 10th on the PGA Money Leader Tour. He’s only the fourth foreigner to win the US Open, in 1994. He won the prestigious title again 1997. The Johannesburg born player stays in coastal George now.

It’s all true. People have seen springboks or even elephants on the golf course. The game therefore actually has some different rules in the more rural parts of South African (e.g. ten penalty points when you hit a bushbuck!). So there’s plenty to discover here for the more experienced players.