The
year-round tropical climate in Kenya lends itself perfectly to golf. Average
temperatures are 18 ̊C
and visitors are guaranteed fine weather and the most courses are well kept. Most
of the clubs offer top quality accommodation, making them ideal for serious
golfers and those in golfing holidays.
There
are more than 40 golf clubs dotted across the country and golfers can choose to
play either 9-hole or 18-hole courses. Each has its own unique features and
scenery along with difficulty rating and range length.
One of
the oldest courses in the country, the Muthaiga
Golf & Country club is rightly considered a premier golf destination. The
course, which is also home to the Kenya Golf Union, features a tastefully
designed and luxurious clubhouse along with tennis courts, a swimming pool and
a top quality catering.
This
challenging course is suitable for both professional and amateur players and
hosts the main event in the nation’s golfing calendar, the Kenya Open.
The
course is an exclusively members’ club, but visitors are welcome to play by
prior arrangement. Re-opened in 2004 after major refurbishment, the course has
new greens and a beautiful layout stretching over 18 holes (Par 71, 6,893
yards) with beautiful landscaped scenic lakes.
Located
just 25 minutes’ drive from the centre of Nairobi, Windsor Golf Hotel and Country Club is another impressive and
popular golfing holiday venue that also plays host to international golf
tournaments. The course winds its way through indigenous forests and coffee
plantations, offering fine views of Mount Kenya.
The
par-72 course has 18 challenging holes notably the 14th hole, with its blind
greens, bunkers and water hazards, and the notorious 18th hole, with its
‘island’ green. In addition to the golf course, there is an impressive
five-star hotel offering top-quality accommodation and catering. The club also
has floodlit tennis courts, squash courts and a 5km jogging track.
Also
within the luxuriant suburbs of Nairobi is the Karen Golf and Country Club, in the Ngong Hills. Karen is an
18-hole championship course, par70, with a total length of 6,630 meters. This famously
challenging course plays host to various events including the Kenya Open.
Popular
with Nairobi’s Elite, the course has a beautiful clubhouse as well as smart
tennis courts and a pro shop. The course features impressively maintained
fairways and lush greens. The setting is beautiful, with lakes, indigenous
trees and flowering shrubs.
Away
from Nairobi, Mount Kenya Safari club
is a charming upcountry course on the slopes of Mount Kenya, 190km or two and
half hours’ drive from Nairobi. This is a nine-hole course, par 27 and 2,184 meters
in total, featuring several water hazards.
While
not the most challenging of courses, it is certainly worth playing if only for
the beauty of the scenery, with stunning views of Mount Kenya from all parts of
the course.
In a
fine location overlooking Lake Naivasha, with the extinct mount Longonot as a
backdrop, the Great Rift Valley Lodge
and Golf Resort features a demanding 18-hole course with lush fairways,
well nurtured greens and tricky slopes of the 18th green.
With a
total length of 6,580 yards, this par-72 course offers fine views of the
surrounding scenery and a quiet atmosphere. The resort also has a driving
range, practice greens, a pro shop, two tennis courts, a bowling green and a
swimming pool.
The Great
Rift Valley course is an attractive challenge for both amateurs and
professionals, while the lodge itself offers top quality accommodation.
Less
than one hour drive from Naivasha, the Nakuru
Golf Club is located 160km from Nairobi on the slopes of the extinct
Menengai crater. This is a par-73 championship course with 18holes laid out
over 6,802 yards.
As the
only uphill course in Kenya, it is undeniably challenging to play but enjoyable
too. The course offers beautiful views of Lake Nakuru and its millions of
flamingos as well as Menengai crater and in the distance, the escarpments of
the rift valley
The
club plays host to the annual Coronation Trophy. There is a pleasant restaurant
located within the clubhouse.
Offering
a memorable golfing experience on the coast is the Leisure Lodge Golf Club at Ukunda, which has become a favorite with
holidaymakers staying at hotels in the area. With a total length of 6,084
metres, this finely maintained 18-hole championship course plays host to some
of the region’s top amateur golf fixtures including the Nine Nation Zone VI
Championship.
The
club itself is part of the Leisure Lodge Resort which offers luxurious and
catering facilities. Golf carts are available for hire from the club.
Peter K.
Philip
Adventure Kenya camping safaris,
Natural
Track Safaris
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