In the corporate world in Zimbabwe there are two days of the week where business moves from the office to one of Zimbabwe's multitude of golf courses. The amount of business that is conducted on such days substantially out weighs the time lost away from the office - or so they say!Can one blame them with the numerous superb golf courses on offer around Zimbabwe and near perfect weather 90% of the time?
I spent a bit of time researching trying to ascertain exactly how many golf courses Zimbabwe has. One noticeable fact is that every city, town and farming district has at least one golf course.
Nick Price, with no real surprise, comes to mind when you talk about some of Zimbabwe’s finest golf courses. He has, over the years, either designed himself or played part in the design of some of the best courses in the country – Royal Harare, Chapman Golf Club and the most noticeable of his achievements; The Sun River Golf and County Club. The course, which has staged the Zimbabwe Open and many other top tournaments, winds its way around numerous streams and water hazards giving even the experienced golfer a bit of a challenge.
Within the Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe there are 2 nine hole courses with challenging twists and turns to negotiate through mountainous pine and gum forests. Further to the south at the top of the Bvumba Mountains, over looking the breathtaking Burma Valley, is the world famous Leopard Rock golf course. This is a beautiful area of the country and several water hazards make the Leopard Rock course an interesting test to many golfers no matter the handicap.
To the west of Zimbabwe, in Victoria Falls, is The Elephant Hill’s eighteen hole golf course, which was designed by the legend Gary Player. This golf course is a parkland course which lies within earshot of the majestic Victoria Falls and where the elephants, buffalo and warthogs wander alongside the course or even across the fairway.
The one aspect of playing golf in Zimbabwe that stands out from the rest of the world is that all courses in Zimbabwe have affordable caddies. One can see that when arriving at the course almost every golfer has a caddie for their golf bag highlighting that this is the norm. For a visitor this is extremely useful as the caddie can provide tips on how to play the course and knows the breaks on the greens. For seasoned players on the course, the stress of carrying a bag is taken off their shoulders and they can concentrate on enjoying the game and getting good advice on club and shot selections over the 18 holes. And more importantly when hiring a caddie his fees are handed to him in cash which literally throws him and his family a lifeline for another day.
Most golf courses in Zimbabwe have restricted playing days so prior confirmation is recommended before arranging any round of golf – Corporate days will be on Wednesdays, Social and minor competition days on Friday afternoons whilst Saturday is restricted to Club competitions. Green fees on Zimbabwe golf courses compare very reasonably by international standards and can range from as little as R5 to R40 for a round of eighteen holes for courses that are on par with some of the finest in the region.
This festive season is the perfect time to get back out onto the fairway, if all goes well of course, so if you are one of the many ex-Zimbabweans going home for Christmas don’t forget those clubs.
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Visitors to Pangolin Lodge will find out that while it has a convenient Harare Location the Lodge and its surroundings are peaceful and secluded.
Pangolin Lodge has ten rooms- five semi detached chalets- each with their own private entrance. All rooms have an en-suite bathroom, bar fridge, telephone, tea/coffee making facilities, satellite television and full laundry services. Jet master fireplaces keep the rooms cosy on chilly winter evenings, while for balmy summer evenings each room has its own private verandah where you can relax with a sundowner at the end of the day. All chalets have pool access where you can work off the African Dust.
Pangolin lodge offers accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis however; a substantial home cooked 3 course dinner is available upon request.
Set on 8.5 acres, Pangolin Lodge is only 15 minutes from the city centre and half an hour from the airport- airport transfers can be arranged. Good restaurants and shopping at Borrowdale Village are close by and Sunriver Country Club (Golf) is a two minute drive away. A herbal centre is also nearby with aromatherapy and other alternative therapies on offer.
Golfing special
Pangolin Lodge – R250 per person per night sharing on a bed and breakfast basis. Airport transfers included.
Green fees – from R35 per 18 holes
Chapman Golf Club
Borrowdale Brook golf and country club
Contact the venues4africa.com team – venues@zol.co.zw or +2634706109