Gary Player Country Club
Sun City's monster resort course — a nearly 8,000-yard Gary Player design and home of the Nedbank Golf Challenge, where any visitor can walk in the pros' footsteps.
Gary Player Country Club in photos
Can I play Gary Player Country Club?
The Gary Player Country Club is the resort course at Sun City, and any visitor can play it — hotel residents get the best rates and priority, while day visitors pay a higher green fee. It is a strictly walking course with no carts, and caddies are available (and recommended) for an additional fee. Booking through the Sun City resort is the standard route, whether you stay overnight or drive in for the day.
How to book: Reserve tee times through the Sun City golf reservations desk online, by phone or by email; staying at one of the Sun City hotels secures the resident rate and easier access. The course closes on Mondays for maintenance. It hosts the Nedbank Golf Challenge each December, when it is closed to visitor play for the tournament build-up and event.
About Gary Player Country Club
Designed by Gary Player and opened in 1979, the Gary Player Country Club is the centrepiece of the Sun City resort and one of the longest championship courses in the world at close to 8,000 yards. Since 1981 it has hosted the Nedbank Golf Challenge — 'Africa's Major' — whose amphitheatre 9th and 18th greens and world-class field have made the course globally famous. It is a resort, pay-and-play layout: hotel residents enjoy the best rates and access, but day visitors can also book, walking the fairways (there are no carts) with a caddie. Set amid the bushveld beside the Pilanesberg game reserve, it combines demanding, water-guarded golf with a full resort of hotels, casinos and attractions. For visiting golfers it is the ultimate 'play where the pros play' round in southern Africa.
Signature hole
The par-3 9th plays over water to a green set in a natural amphitheatre below the clubhouse, the stage for the Nedbank Golf Challenge's grandstand finishes. At almost 8,000 yards from the tips, it is one of the longest championship courses in the world.
What makes it special
Home of the Nedbank
Host of the Nedbank Golf Challenge, 'Africa's Major', every December since 1981.
Nearly 8,000 yards
One of the longest championship courses on earth, a genuine test from the back tees.
Walk with a caddie
A strictly walking course with caddies available — no carts — in classic Gary Player tradition.
Tournament pedigree
- Nedbank Golf Challenge (1981-present)
- Sun City Challenge / Million Dollar Challenge (1981-2000)
- South African Open (various)
Need to know
Best time to play
The highveld winter (May-August) is dry, sunny and mild — ideal for golf — while summer brings heat and afternoon thunderstorms. The Nedbank Golf Challenge is played in late November/December, when visitor access is restricted.
Dress code
Collared golf shirts and tailored trousers or shorts; soft spikes. Standard resort-club standards apply.
Good to know
This is strictly a walking course — no buggies — so a caddie (about R400 extra) is strongly advised, especially given the length and heat. A halfway-house lunch is included. Play from a sensible tee, as the full championship length is punishing; allow four to four and a half hours.
Upcoming golf tournaments
Prefer to watch the world’s best? Book tickets to an upcoming tournament, then add a hotel and flights.
Getting there
Nearest airports
Pilanesberg (NTY) ~15 min; O.R. Tambo, Johannesburg (JNB) ~2-2.5 hr by car.
On arrival
The Gary Player Country Club is within the Sun City resort complex in North West Province, about two to two and a half hours' drive north-west of Johannesburg, or 15 minutes from Pilanesberg Airport. Most visitors drive from Johannesburg/Pretoria or arrive on a resort package.
Stay near the course
Stay within the Sun City resort — options range from the opulent Palace of the Lost City to the Cascades, Sun City Hotel and Cabanas — to get resident green fees and be steps from the first tee. The resort also offers casinos, waterparks and the Pilanesberg game reserve nearby.
★★★★ 4-starTap for live prices Excalibur Boutique Hotel
Rustenburg
★★★★ 4-starTap for live prices ANEW Resort Hunters Rest Rustenburg
Rustenburg
A taste of the luxury stays near Gary Player Country Club — tap any hotel to see live availability and prices for your dates, or search them all.
Plan your golf trip
Hotels near the course
Live-priced stays a short drive from the 1st tee.
Search hotelsFlights
Get to Sun City — search fares to the nearest airport.
Find flightsTournament tickets
Rather watch the pros? Book golf tournament tickets.
See golf ticketsThings to do
Tours and experiences around Sun City.
Explore Sun CityFrequently asked questions
Can visitors play the Gary Player Country Club?
Yes. It is the resort course at Sun City and open to visitors. Hotel residents get lower green fees and priority, while day visitors pay a higher rate. Book through Sun City's golf reservations.
How much does it cost to play?
Roughly R1,550 for Sun City hotel residents and about R2,250 for day visitors, with a caddie around R400 extra. A halfway-house lunch is included; rates are seasonal.
Are golf carts available?
No. The Gary Player Country Club is strictly a walking course, so hiring a caddie is strongly recommended given the length and heat.
When is the best time to play?
The dry highveld winter, May to August, offers the most comfortable golfing weather. Avoid late November and December, when the Nedbank Golf Challenge closes the course to visitors.
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Trump Turnberry — Ailsa Course
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Green fees, access rules and tee-time policies change frequently and vary by season. The figures here are indicative for trip planning — always confirm on the official site before booking.
- Gary Player Country Club — Sun International (official)
- Gary Player Country Club — Wikipedia
- Nedbank Golf Challenge — Wikipedia
Guide updated 2026-07-27.