General Course Information
Area and Setting
Set within the Sun City resort and bordering the Pilanesberg National Park, the Gary Player Country Club offers a distinctly African championship golf experience. The course lies amid bushveld vegetation with distant volcanic hills framing the horizon, and mornings often begin still and warm before the air lifts gently toward midday. Wildlife is occasionally seen nearby, reinforcing the sense of being on safari territory rather than a conventional resort course.
The fairways are wide but strategically contoured, encouraging confident tee shots while heavily rewarding those who find the correct angles into the greens. Conditioning is world-class, with tightly cut surfaces and fast, pure bent-grass greens — a hallmark of South Africa’s premier professional tournaments. The experience is both impressive and demanding, but the atmosphere remains relaxed and resort-friendly beyond its championship pedigree.
Layout and Signature Holes
The routing emphasizes precision more than aggression — greens are subtly defended, bunkering is intelligently positioned, and approaches require exact distance control. The par-five 9th, framed by water along the left, is one of the course’s most memorable scoring opportunities for bold players. The closing stretch is classically tiered in drama, culminating in a demanding par-four 18th that has defined many championship outcomes on television.
Best Time of Year for a Round
The course is playable year-round thanks to the region’s warm climate. Winter (May–August) offers crisp mornings and clear, dry air — ideal for firm, fast playing conditions. Summers are hot but manageable with early tee times, and afternoon thunderstorms tend to pass quickly. Sunrise tee-offs are particularly rewarding, with golden light on the surrounding hills and calm, receptive playing surfaces.
Riaan's Activity Recommendations in the Area
Early Morning Pilanesberg Safari Drive
Take advantage of Sun City’s proximity to the national park — sunrise game drives often deliver sightings of elephant, rhino, and giraffe before the day heats up.
Sundowners at the Palace of the Lost City
Enjoy a relaxed drink on the terrace with panoramic bushveld views — refined atmosphere, distant thunderclouds forming in the heat, and classic Sun City ambience.
Valley of Waves Lagoon Break
A perfect cooldown after your round — a short walk from the course, with palm-lined white sand, gentle swells, and relaxed resort energy ideal for unwinding.
Start Planning
