How Can I Play Gary Player Country Club?

Construction of South Africa’s Sun City Resort began in 1978, and among the ambitious plans was to include a golf course that would rival the best in the world.

The result is the Gary Player Country Club. As its name suggests, the nine-time Major winner designed the course. While it is one of around 400 designed by Player, it is the only one bearing his name and is widely acclaimed as one of his best. It is, in fact, one of two courses the South African designed for the resort. The other is the Lost City Golf Course, which includes the famous crocodile hole featuring a green in the shape of Africa.

However, the Gary Player Country Club is the most well-regarded and has hosted the Nedbank Golf Challenge since 1981. The course, built in an extinct volcanic crater, offers dramatic views of the Pilanesberg mountain as it winds through the bush. Along the way, players will find lakes and strategically placed bunkers. Meanwhile, the immaculate greens play fast, ensuring you need to bring your best putting game to master them.

The toughest hole on the course is arguably the eighth, with dense bush on either side of the fairway and a ditch across it as you head towards the sloped green. Next, the par-5 ninth is the course’s signature hole and features an island green that the longest drivers could be tempted to reach in two shots. For most, though, the relative safety of aiming for the green in three ensures the best chance of making par.

One of the most notable aspects of the courses is its extraordinary length, which, at almost 8,000 yards, is one of the longest in the world. Nevertheless, it is relatively flat despite its challenges, meaning walking is comfortable for most players.