Sun City is one of South Africa’s best-known golf resorts, offering two contrasting Gary Player-designed courses beneath the Pilanesberg Mountains. The combination of championship golf, extensive resort facilities and nearby safari experiences makes it particularly attractive for a longer golf holiday.

The Gary Player Country Club is Sun City’s principal championship layout. This par-72, walking-only course stretches to approximately 8,000 yards from its furthest tees, although several forward options allow golfers to choose a more manageable test. Wide-looking fairways are bordered by indigenous vegetation, while strategically positioned bunkers and large, undulating greens place a premium on thoughtful club selection.

The course has hosted the Nedbank Golf Challenge since 1981, attracting many of the game’s leading players. Its length, elevation changes and demanding green complexes make it a serious challenge, particularly in the South African heat. Caddie services are compulsory for visiting golfers, and no golf carts are permitted. An official handicap is required, with a maximum limit of 18 currently applied.

The Lost City Golf Course provides a visually dramatic alternative. Also a par 72, it measures approximately 6,983 metres and combines desert-style terrain with wide fairways, rocky outcrops, lakes and attractive bushveld scenery. Golf carts are available here, making it a more relaxed option for many visitors.

Its most famous feature is the par-three 13th, where the water hazard below the green is home to Nile crocodiles. The African continent-shaped green and elevated tee create one of South African golf’s most memorable settings.

Both courses have their own clubhouse, practice facilities and halfway-house dining. Sun City’s choice of hotels, restaurants, swimming pools and entertainment also works well for mixed groups, while Pilanesberg National Park adds the opportunity to combine golf with a safari.