You’ve qualified your client as a keen golfer. You’ve even discussed their preferred style of course. But the factor that will truly close the deal (and ensure a rave review) is often what happens off the course. The non-golfing partner’s experience is paramount, and the “Golf Plus” proposition differs significantly between South Africa and Kenya.
South Africa: The “Golf Plus… Everything” Itinerary
South Africa’s strength is its ability to seamlessly blend golf with a diverse range of world-class activities, making it the ideal destination for couples or groups with mixed interests. You are not just selling a golf safari; you are selling:
- Golf + Wine: Playing a round at Pearl Valley, then spending the afternoon tasting award-winning wines in nearby Franschhoek.
- Golf + Gastronomy: Pairing a morning round with an evening at one of Cape Town’s globally acclaimed restaurants.
- Golf + Adventure: A game at Pinnacle Point followed by shark cage diving or exploring the Cango Caves.
- Golf + Big Five Safari: The classic combination, perfected at lodges near Leopard Creek and in the malaria-free Eastern Cape.
This variety means the non-golfer is never just “waiting around.” They are having their own, equally compelling luxury holiday.
Kenya: The “Golf Plus… The Ultimate Safari” Itinerary
Kenya’s “Plus” factor is more focused but no less powerful. It is inextricably linked to delivering one of the planet’s most iconic and sought-after experiences: a classic East African safari.
The journey is built around the rhythm of the bush. While the golfer is on the course at Vipingo Ridge or in Nairobi, their partner can be enjoying a spa treatment, visiting a local market, or relaxing by the pool. Then, they come together for the main event: flying to the Maasai Mara for an unparalleled wildlife spectacle. The non-golf activities are luxurious and well-catered, but they are generally more centred around the lodge and the safari experience itself.
Scott Edkins, CEO of Ascot Tours, emphasizes this point: “A successful golf safari is one where every guest feels like the itinerary was designed just for them. In South Africa, that means creating parallel, diverse experiences. In Kenya, it means ensuring the shared safari experience is so spectacular that it becomes the unforgettable centrepiece for everyone.”
The Agent’s Takeaway:
- When selling to a couple where one is a non-golfer, South Africa is often the easier choice due to the sheer breadth of alternative activities available daily.
- When selling Kenya, frame the trip around the shared, monumental experience of the Maasai Mara. The golf is a fantastic part of the journey, but the safari is the unifying, core memory for all guests.
By addressing the “Plus” factor head-on, you show your clients you’re not just thinking about their tee times—you’re thinking about their entire holiday. Let Ascot Tours help you craft a balanced itinerary that delights every traveller in the group. Contact us today.