South Africa’s Garden Route is justifiably famous amongst golf travellers, and much of the credit for that is thanks to Fancourt Estate outside the town of George. Since opening in the early 1990s, this sprawling estate has matured into one of the premier golfing destinations in Africa, boasting three courses – The Links, Montagu and Outeniqua – ­designed by iconic South African golfer Gary Player.

Player called The Links his greatest achievement as a golf course designer and the 6477­metre track is regularly hailed as the finest course on the continent. Modelled on Scotland’s famous links courses, it’s a long and challenging layout that offers a memorable experience from clubhouse to 18th courses is a state­of­the­art Golf Academy that offers coaching facilities, practice courses and a driving range.

Happily, they are all complimentary to guests of the hotel, adding yet another reason to book a room at the estate’s hotel or Manor House. The 115­room Fancourt Hotel is ideal for those travelling with kids or watching their budget. Most rooms look out onto the golf course, and are arranged in a pleasant residential layout with luxury rooms as well as one­ and two­bedroom suites available. Décor and styling is comfortable and modern, if not overly luxurious, but it’s a perfect base for exploring the estate and the region.

If you’d prefer to splash out a little, the Manor House is a better bet. Set in a National Monument, this intimate property has the feel of a boutique hotel with elegant suites and butler­style service.

Similarly, the estate’s fine­dining restaurant Henry White’s offers European­ inspired fine dining, while La Cantina is more family­friendly in its casual Mediterranean-inspired menu.

There’s certainly more to Fancourt than the golf, and from excellent dining to a range of mountain bike trails and wellness treatments the estate is rapidly establishing itself as a centrally­located lifestyle – not just golf -destination on the Garden Route.