How Many Golf Courses Are In The World?
In 2019 there were close to 39,000 golf courses in the world.Approximately 80% of all the golf courses are located in just 10 countries: the United States, Japan, Canada, England, Australia, Germany, France, Republic of Korea, Sweden and Scotland.
Golf is now played in 206 of 251 countries. Almost 25,000 of worldwide golf facilities are open to public play.
How Many Golf Courses In South Africa
There are over 450 golf courses in South Africa.The Royal Cape Golf Club established in 1885 is the oldest golf club in South Africa.
Some of the best golf courses in South Africa are: Fancourt Links, Leopard Creek, Royal Johannesburg, Gary Player Country Club, Fancourt Montagu, Durban Country Club, Glendower, Arabella Country Estate, East London Golf Club, George Golf Club Joint, Highland Gate Golf and Trout Estate, Humewood Golf Club, Erinvale Golf Estate, Pearl Valley Golf Estate, St Francis Links, Blair Atholl Golf and Equestrian Estate.
Golf In South Africa
The South African Golf Association
The South African Golf Association registers more than 450 affiliated golf clubs, and there are an estimated 150,000 golfers in the country. For some reason, however, there have not been very many new courses of late. That is a shame, because the vast and varied landscapes of South Africa offer abundant opportunities for great golf.
There are now at least a few courses that live up to the promise of their surroundings. Leopard Creek Country Club is one, located on the southern border of Kruger National Park, where water buffalo, giraffes and leopards are among the animals that one may come across on the course, while just over the aptly named Crocodile River in the Park, lions, elephants and zebras can be glimpsed.
Nevertheless, South Africa has had no problem producing champion golfers. The first was Bobby Locke, known for his shining plus-fours and skill with a putter, who got his start just before World War II and remained a major presence (except in America) into the Sixties. Gary Player is of course a major star, and he has remained active into his 80s. Among contemporary players Ernie Els is the most high-profile South African; and both he and Player have achieved recognition as course architects.
The rising generation is well represented by Charl Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen, who have alrea dy won major events, and Branden Grace, who will undoubtedly do so very soon now that he has a number of wins on the European Tour under his belt.
