Over the past 30 years our resident PGA pro Nigel Burch has spent a great deal of time in South Africa, playing golf and watching it become the winter golf destination it is today.
“Golf and South Africa are my two great passions, and for nearly 30 years I have been lucky enough to combine the two.
I learned the game on the pleasant parkland courses of Essex. Arriving in South Africa to join the Sunshine Tour was another thing altogether.
Here was a nation teeming with possibilities. Tourism was opening up, people were keen to see the wildlife, the flora and fauna and, above all, the people themselves, and for a young professional golfer the opportunities appeared endless.
After playing on both the European and Sunshine Tours I spent 15 years there, playing and teaching, including some memorable spells coaching in the Townships. From the historic courses of Cape Town and Durban to the relative newcomers along the Garden Route, I cannot overstate how much course conditioning has improved. I go back at least once a year. Every time, something new has emerged, and it is a great thrill to explore it and pass the recommendation on.
When I returned to the UK full time I began sharing my golf knowledge with a company in York, Southern Africa Travel, at the time the largest tour operator to South Africa. Set against the itineraries we ran then, golf travel in South Africa has come on in leaps and bounds.
Now we hand-build an itinerary around your dates. Start in Cape Town, where The Bay Hotel, Camps Bay, from
On the Durban coast, given the choice, I would steer you to Beverly Hills, Umhlanga, from
Through my PGA membership and my years on the circuit I have built strong contacts across South Africa. That proves invaluable when I am putting together my own escorted golf tours for Golf Planet Holidays. I keep my ear to the ground, scooping up news on course conditions, accommodation changes and, naturally, the current pick of restaurants and bars.
My mission on our hosted golf tours in the Western Cape is simple: everyone comfortable, everyone enjoying themselves. The overnight flight is a long one, I will be honest about that, but with only an hour’s time change you land ready to play rather than losing days to jet lag. You are in my hands from landing to departure. In between I take you to the best courses, hotels, guest houses and restaurants, not to mention the odd winery in Stellenbosch & Franschhoek. Spier Hotel, Stellenbosch, from
The same care extends to guests travelling on their own hand-built itineraries. You might be watching whales from the terrace at Harbour House Hotel, Hermanus, from
Since Covid, tourism in South Africa has gone from strength to strength. The pause seems to have given everyone time to work out what needed improving to keep the country’s reputation for great winter golf holidays, and the improvements have stuck.
Our clients leave South African shores after a successful winter golf holiday knowing they will be back soon. And hopefully, after a few tips from me, their golf is ready for the British summer ahead!
Call me anytime. I am always happy to talk about South Africa and will be delighted to discuss any thoughts you may have.”
Nigel Burch
PGA Member.
00441277284284
Where to stay & play in South Africa
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What our golfers say
4.997 reviewsjust returned from great golf trip to South Africa thanks Nigel highly recommend.
We have just returned from a fantastic 31/2 week holiday in South Africa organised by Golf Plant Holidays. Nigel was amazing sorting the itinerary for our group of 8 to include all the …
My husband Philip and I had a wonderful golf trip to South Africa in March with Golf Planet holidays. It was our first time to South Africa and it didn't disappoint us. …
Frequently asked questions
How much does a golf holiday in South Africa cost?
Hand-built golf breaks in South Africa start from
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.
