The rise in popularity of golf and the proliferation of golf courses has coincided with the general growth in tourism in Mauritius and its positioning as a major pillar of the Mauritian economy. Most of the golf courses on the island are attached to major hotel groups, but there are also private member golf courses, including the oldest golf course in the Southern Hemisphere, and the fourth oldest course in the world, the 18-hole Gymkhana golf course, located in Vacoas in the central region of the island and created in 1902, and the Dodo Club, a 9-hole course located in Curepipe, also in the central region.
One of the newer private members golf clubs is the Avalon Golf Estate set in the heart of nature in Bois Cheri in Bois Cheri, an 18-hole international standard golf course, designed by world-renowned South-African golf architect Peter Matkovich. The surroundings combine tea plantations, rivers, ravines, mountains and a spectacular view of the Southern coastline.
The newest private golf club opened in November 2017, Mont Choisy Le Golf, in the north of the island, and is part of a lifestyle project with a neighbouring residential estate and leisure areas. This 18-hole course, designed by Peter Matkovich, features unique Mauritian landscaping such as black volcanic rock “outcrops”.
The Tamarina Golf Club in Tamarin on the West Coast, is also a private members club, particularly for the private villa owners nearby, but is also available to the Tamarina Hotel Boutique guests. This popular championship 18-hole, par 72 course was designed by architect Rodney Wright and combines technical challenges with sweeping views over the stunning Rempart Mountain and Tamarin Bay.
There are currently eight other golf courses, including the 18-hole course Le Paradis in the south-west, attached to resorts, and guests can also benefit from access to other courses within the same hotel group. Read on for information about the other golf courses.
The Maritim 9-hole golf course in the north-west of the island at Balaclava was designed by Graham Marsh and is 768 metres in length, and ideal for beginners.
The Shandrani golf course is a small 9-hole course in the south in Blue Bay, but challenging to play due to its size, however it affords spectacular ocean views.
The Heritage Golf Club in Bel Ombre on the South Coast is a multi-award winning championship golf course. This 27-hole golf complex, was one of the first designed by Peter Matkovich on the island and consists of an 18 hole championship golf course and a 9 hole Par 3 course. The club held the only tri-sanctioned golf tournament endorsed by the Asian, European, and Sunshine Tours in 2017 and was nominated for best golf course 2016 in Africa by Golf Digest.
The Four Seasons Golf Club at Anahita in Beau Champ in the east of the island, was designed by famous South African golfer, Ernie Els and built to USGA standards. This 7,500-yard, 18-hole, par-72 championship course with large fairways and five sets of tees is set in a tropical sanctuary with a backdrop of majestic mountains and six stunning oceanfront holes that culminate in a final shot that is one of the most spectacular in the world. The club is the host of the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open in 2018.
Ile aux Cerfs Golf Club situated on a small isle, just across from the Four Seasons, off the East Coast of Mauritius was designed by the famous German golf player, Bernhard Langer. The course is considered to be one of the most challenging in Mauritius, with nine lakes to be negotiated. The course encompasses 34 hectares of land and offers spectacular panoramic views of the ocean from nearly every hole.
The Legends Golf Course in Belle Mare attached to the Constance Belle Mare Plage Hotel, is a championship golf course set in the heart of an indigenous forest on an old hunting reserve along one of the most beautiful beaches in Mauritius, and deer can still be spotted around the course. The 18-hole course was designed by South African champion Hugh Baiocchi and the combination of forests, volcanic rocks, and ponds make this course quite a challenge. Legends hosts the PGA Senior Tour every year together with the Links Golf Course.
The Links Golf Course in Belle Mare is attached to the Constance Prince Maurice Resort, and was designed by Rodney Wright and Peter Alliss in 2002. The 18-hole, par-71 course is very hilly with ups and downs and nicely cut fairways, so club carts are strongly recommended. Most golfers find the course pleasant to play but the greens can be challenging putts and some holes are protected by water, so it is best to bring some extra balls.
With championship level courses designed by world renowned golfers that offer unique aspects so golfers experience something different each time they play, as well as international tournaments being held on the island, Mauritius is well on its way to being a must play for any golfer worldwide and a premier golfing destination.
