Just seven miles from the George Airport, Fancourt is conveniently located along South Africa’s scenic coastal Garden Route and marks a prime spot on our South Africa golf safari tour.
Offering sublime views of the majestic Outeniqua Mountains from all three championship courses, Fancourt Country Club is a true golfer’s paradise. This exclusive golf resort in South Africa also boasts a golf academy, two five-star hotels, a luxurious spa, and multiple dining outlets.
The Links course played host to the dramatic 2003 President’s Cup where Ernie Els and Tiger Woods faced off to a tie after three playoff holes. It’s also the highest-rated course at Fancourt and is consistently among the top five in South Africa.
Proud South African, Gary Player, claims this Fancourt golf course as his best design. Modeled on his beloved links courses of the British Isles, the course is visually stunning and a delight to play, although not a true links course since the subsoil is clay. While private, the Links course offers a selection of hotel times for guests.
The Montagu course is rated among South Africa’s top 10 layouts and is a parkland design by Gary Player. Known for its stunning scenic vistas, strategically placed bunkers, fast greens, and immaculate conditioning. In 2005 David McLay Kidd was brought in to redefine bunkers and greens among other changes including adding and eliminating water features.
In 2018 Player was again at the helm of the resort courses synonymous with him, to make the design more challenging for low handicappers and yet more playable for higher handicaps. He achieved this by reducing the number of bunkers and forced carries and improved fairway definition.
The third course, Outeniqua, which translates as ‘the land of milk and honey,’ and is also the moniker of the surrounding mountains is another Gary Player-designed parkland classic that resides in South Africa’s Top 25 courses.
Rather than a ‘signature hole’ it is known for the ‘signature view’ that one encounters when walking from the 11th green to the par 3 12th – definitely one to savor.
The property dates to the mid-1800s when Henry Fancourt White built The Manor House, now a designated historical landmark and a boutique member of the Leading Hotels of the World.
The property has had multiple owners over the years and is now owned by Dr. Hasso Plattner, the founder of SAP software, and his wife Sabine. The resort underwent an extensive renovation and upgrade in 1994.
Fancourt’s primary standout is the three incredible courses and the breathtaking location at the Outeniqua Mountains in George along South Africa’s legendary Garden Route. The Fancourt estate was established in the 1990s and blends the lush scenery with some truly world-class hospitality.
A lot of the club’s prestige comes from its association with golf designer Gary Player, and the Fancourt Links, which opened up in 2000, is often cited as his crowning achievement, having famously hosted the Presidents Cup in 2003.
All three of Fancourt’s courses are not open to day visitors. To play on these courses, you must either be a member, a guest member, or be staying at the Fancourt Hotel or The Manor House.
The Links is the most difficult to get into, with priority being given to members or their guests, and some limited tee times reserved for hotel residents. The Montagu and the Outeniqua are always open to both members and hotel visitors. Fancourt enforces a strict dress code, as you might expect, so that means collared golf shirts, tailored trousers or shorts, and golf shoes with soft spikes.
South Africa is a huge, beautiful country filled with incredible golfing experiences to enjoy. Here are some of the best ones nearby to Fancourt.
St. Francis Links: Roughly a 3-hour drive from Fancourt. A signature Jack Nicklaus, and often described as his finest work.
George Golf Club: Located just minutes away from Fancourt, this historic club boasts a local course that has been affectionately nicknamed “The Old Course.”
Pearl Valley: About a 4-hour drive from Fancourt. Another Gary Player course that also works as a unique golf safari, where you can see hippos and elephants in the wild.
Arabella: Around a 4-hour drive from Fancourt. Full of dramatic scenery and a UNESCO heritage site, and it boasts some of the most beautiful holes in all of the country.
Fancourt is located in the heart of South Africa’s Garden Route, and is about a 10 to 15-minute drive from George Airport. The nearest major hub town is Cape Town, which is about 5 hours away by car. There are internal flights connecting from Johannesburg to George Airport every day.
There are private transfers and rental cars, and services like Uber operate in the area. It is highly recommended to get transportation sorted before arrival, as there is little to no public transport available to Fancourt.
Immerse yourself in the Rainbow nation, and discover the best of South Africa on this luxury 12-night tour.
Golfers will play the best courses in the country, including Pearl Valley, Leopard Creek, and Fancourt.
Sample some of the world’s finest wines, and enjoy game drives in the Kruger National Park
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Fancourt; Fancourt Golf Resort
Fancourt, 199 Montagu Street, Blanco, George, Western Cape, South Africa
Estate dates to 19th century; golf resort developed 1990s; Links Course opened 2000
Luxury resort with three main courses; golf played most of the year with tee times daily.
The Links – 18 holes, par 73; Gary Player design built on reclaimed land and sculpted to emulate classic links terrain; host to Presidents Cup, Volvo Golf Champions and other elite events.
Montagu – 18 holes, par 72; parkland course with tree lined fairways and water features.
Outeniqua – 18 holes, par 72; more forgiving resort course set in lush parkland.
Five star hotel, manor house, spa, multiple restaurants, pools, tennis, kids’ facilities and full practice range.
Frequently ranked as South Africa’s top golf resort; The Links is often listed in world top 100 rankings and has hosted significant international tournaments.
George Golf Club, Pinnacle Point, Oubaai and other Garden Route courses.
Fancourt Golf Resort is located in George, South Africa, nestled in the heart of the Garden Route.
Yes, golf carts are available for hire at all three Fancourt courses.
Fancourt features three highly regarded courses: The Links, Montagu, and Outeniqua.
Outeniqua is generally considered the most accessible of the three courses, with forgiving fairways and less challenging hazards.
The best time to visit is from October to March, during South Africa’s warmer months.
Fancourt offers a range of luxury amenities, including a spa, fine dining, and family-friendly activities.
Yes, Fancourt provides a wide variety of activities such as hiking, spa treatments, and cultural tours for non-golfers.
