General · 26 August 2022
Golf in all its global glory
By The Golf Planet Holidays Team · Golf-travel specialists since 1981 · Updated 28 May 2026 As Autumn approaches in the UK, golf courses in the Southern Hemisphere are gearing themselves up for a return to ‘business as usual’. Our top spot is of course, South Africa, and a recent trip there showed me that […]
As Autumn approaches in the UK, golf courses in the Southern Hemisphere are gearing themselves up for a return to ‘business as usual’.
Our top spot is of course, South Africa, and a recent trip there showed me that the Rainbow Nation is ready to welcome golfing guests, looking for a guaranteed dose of winter sunshine.
The tourist season really gets going in South Africa after January 15, when all the residents are back at work and there is plenty of room for visitors to explore the numerous delights this hospitable country has to offer. I’ll be there from the end of January to welcome all our travellers and lead our tours. Check out our website to grab your holiday and flights.
The PGA Tour finale continues this weekend at East Lake, Atlanta. I watched a remarkable recovery from McIlroy after starting triple bogey which you would have thought wiped his tournament out. But great players such as Rory put disasters behind them and carry on – one shot at a time. He fought back with seven birdies and an eagle to keep himself in the hunt for the £15m first prize…amazing stuff. Torrential rain, yes, it wasn’t just here, means the competition has come down to the putting.
For those who don’t know, and it’s the only mention I will make…The LIV tour is aptly named as it is 54 in Roman numerals, and all their competitions are 54 holes…
Closer to home, I am getting the sticks out this Bank Holiday weekend, despite a sore arm after my fourth jab. I am at my home club, Thorpe Hall in Essex, on Sunday for a weekly catch up with some great characters, normally around 12-16 of us are ready to do battle.
We play 9 hole Stableford, best 4 scores go through to a ‘final’ where the game becomes 4 ball better ball match play, draw for partners and off you go for the back nine. The remaining players continue the back 9 and play for the much heralded ‘Scum pot ‘ in stableford format with the winner often decided on countback from the 18th. Oh, and you also play a fourball matchplay against the other pairing…also decided on countback from the 18th if tied.
The group is called the ‘Strollers’ and has been playing this format since it was devised by Sir Michael Bonallack and his late brother Tony back in the day, it certainly makes a Sunday morning entertaining.
Wherever you are playing, enjoy the weekend.
Where to stay & play in South Africa
Tailor your South Africa golf trip →
What our golfers say
4.997 reviewsWe have just returned from a trip to the Western Cape and the Kruger, that will be remembered for many years. We played Stellenbosch, De Zalze and Paarl - all of which were in superb condition - along with Erinvale. We then moved on to …
I have used the team at golf planet over the past 7 years to organise bespoke golfing holidays across Europe and North and South Africa. I cannot recommend them highly enough. As a smaller independent travel consultancy they really look …
just returned from great golf trip to South Africa thanks Nigel highly recommend.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a golf holiday in South Africa cost?
Tailor-made golf breaks in South Africa start from £125 per person, including your hotel, green fees and airport transfers. Every package is built around your group, dates and handicaps.
Do you arrange flights to South Africa?
Flights can be added as an ATOL-protected option, or you book your own and we handle everything on the ground — private transfers, tee times and buggies.
Is my money protected?
Yes. Every booking is financially protected through Protected Trust Services (PTS) — your money is held safely in trust until you have travelled. Flight-inclusive trips are also ATOL protected.
Can I tailor the trip?
Always. We don’t sell off-the-shelf packages — every South Africa break is built personally around your group, your preferred courses and your dates.
Come and play with us
Wherever you're travelling from, you're welcome on a Golf Planet hosted tour — a small group, a host with you from the first tee to the last, and every round, transfer and dinner taken care of. You just bring the clubs.
