This is what a R15 million house looks like in South Africa’s new golf hotspot

World-class golf facilities are a major selling point for luxury buyers in South Africa, with many attracted to the golf estates in Centurion, Gauteng.

Tiaan Pretorius, manager for Seeff Centurion, said the demand for golf estates in the area is due to security benefits, the convenience of leisure amenities, and the easy access to great schools.

Golf estate buyers and investors tend to be predominantly in the 35-65 age group. While golf estates only make up a small percentage of the over 6,500 gated estates countrywide, they are strong investments.

A New World Wealth Report showed that growth in estates is not confined to South Africa, but a global wealth trend as high-net-worth (HNWI) buyers increasingly move into golf estates.

Properties on golf estates not only achieve some of the highest sales prices in the country, but they also offer good investment prospects due to their popularity for rentals.

Gauteng has the highest number of golf estates in the country, with many of these located in Centurion.

Apart from the golf, the estates offer well-maintained grounds, security, amenities and a choice of luxury homes.

Pretorius said that while golf estate homes usually come at a premium price.

Centurion offers excellent value, with most sales in the R3 million to R6 million range and high-end homes in the R9 million to R18 million range.

There are also more affordable sectional title options in many of the estates.

Where buyers are headed

The Centurion Golf Estate is also a popular choice with luxury buyers. The estate has its own golf course, clubhouse with a restaurant, tennis, squash, and beautiful parkland grounds.

It achieved high sales volumes during the 2021 to 2023 boom period with price growth of around 28%.

The property offers homes from R3.8 million to R16 million, with two luxury properties in the estate are found below.

Other estates offering strong investment potential are the Blue Valley Golf and Country Estate. The property features a Gary Player golf course and a host of amenities.

Luxury homes in the estate have sold for up to R7 million. There are also several sectional title options in the estate.

For the high-end buyers, the Blair Atholl Golf and Equestrian Estate is also a popular choice, where properties have sold for between R7.5 million and R22.9 million last year.

As the name suggests, the estate has its own Gary Player golf course and equestrian facilities.

Another top choice is the Copperleaf Golf Estate, which features an Ernie Els golf course. Properties in the estate sold for between R5 and R8 million last year.

The estate is located on Els’s grandfather’s farm and has spectacular views of the Magaliesberg Mountains.

Another popular estate for golfing enthusiasts is the Zwartkop Golf Estate, where houses have sold for up to R6 million.

Pretorius notes that the Thatchfield and Midstream estates are also good investments, with each offering a 9-hole course.

Thatchfield’s amenities include tennis, basketball, an all-purpose field, and communal braai areas. It is attractive to first-time buyers due to its affordable prices, as houses are sold in the R2 million to R3 million range.

Midstream is incredibly popular with families, offering great amenities such as sports clubs, parks, recreational areas and schools. Luxury homes sold for up to R7 million in 2024.

Estates with access to the Irene Country and Golf Club and Southdowns are also popular as they blend rural and urban living with a working dairy farm.

Aside from the exceptional lifestyle and access to world-class golfing facilities and amenities, Pretorius said that golf estates have achieved good capital growth over the last five years.

R16 million 4-bedroom property in Centurion Golf Estate

R13.5 million 5-bedroom house in Centurion Golf Estate