In our last post, we discussed the high-level differences between South Africa and Kenya. Now, let’s get down to what matters most to your golfing clients: the on-course experience. A golfer’s personality and preferences are as unique as their swing, and matching them to the right type of course is the secret to a successful trip.
South Africa
Selling golf in South Africa is like giving a client access to a master library of course design. The variety is simply staggering, allowing you to tailor the trip to any golfer’s taste.
- True Links: Fancourt and St Francis Links offer authentic, challenging links golf that rivals some of the best in Scotland or Ireland.
- Pristine Parkland: Courses like Royal Johannesburg, Glendower, and Pearl Valley offer lush, tree-lined fairways and championship pedigree.
- Dramatic Coastal: Pinnacle Point and Pezula are cliff-top masterpieces, delivering jaw-dropping ocean views on every hole.
- Unique Bushveld: Leopard Creek and the courses at Sun City are set in the African bush, offering the surreal experience of sharing fairways with resident wildlife.
“The beauty of South Africa is that you can challenge your client on every level,” says Scott Edkins, CEO of Ascot Tours. “You can ask them, ‘Do you want the strategic test of a links course or the dramatic beauty of a coastal layout?’ This ability to customize the type of golf they play each day is a powerful selling tool that builds an incredibly rich and memorable journey.”
Kenya
Kenya’s on-course offering is more focused. The narrative here is less about variety and more about prestige. The clear headliner is the PGA Baobab Course at Vipingo Ridge. For many international golfers, the chance to play a PGA-accredited course in Africa is a significant draw. It’s a “trophy” experience, a recognisable name that carries weight and a guarantee of quality. Other key courses like Muthaiga and Karen Country Club in Nairobi offer a more classic, historic parkland feel, steeped in colonial-era charm. The experience is consistently high-quality but less varied than South Africa’s.
The Agent’s Takeaway
- For the Golfing Purist/Explorer: South Africa is the clear choice. You can craft an itinerary that allows them to test their skills on multiple styles of world-class courses.
- For the Prestige-Seeker: Kenya is an excellent fit. The sales pitch is simple and powerful: “Come play a PGA course in the morning and see the Great Migration in the afternoon.”
The key is to ask your client what kind of golf they love to play, not just if they want to play. Their answer will point you directly to the right destination.
Need help matching a client to the right course? The team at Ascot Tours has played them all. Let us help you build the perfect golfing itinerary.