By Isaac Blessings
Golf in Kenya is an elitist sport owing to the high membership cost of joining the clubs and the gear required to play the ‘gentleman sport’. There are over 40 golf courses in the country as of 2021. Training is around Sh18,000 and membership fees in the listed clubs below is between Sh204,000 to Sh505,000 annually.
In this article, WoK takes a look at the top ten best golf courses in Kenya.
Muthaiga Golf Club
The Muthaiga Golf Club was established in 1913. The 9-hole course was later upgraded to the full 18-hole layout in 1926 and hosted the Kenyan Open from 1969 to 2002. The front nine holes are located around Kiambu Road while the back nine are situated around several man-made lakes close to the clubhouse. It was again renovated in 2005 by architect Peter Matkovich who is arguably one of the best course architects in the world. The golf club has influential members such as former president of Kenya Hon Mwai Kibaki and Businessman Jimi Wanjigi among others. It’s no surprise that Muthaiga is considered as one of the prettiest places to play golf in East Africa. It is ranked as the 22nd best golf course in Africa.
Location
It is located at the edge of Karura forest in the leafy suburbs of Muthaiga just 15 km from Nairobi city Centre.
Call +2542762414 for any inquiries.
Visit the site for more information: www.muthaigagolfclub.com
Karen Country Club
Karen Country club was established in 1937 thanks to the hard work of a young banker named Remy Martin who acquired the land and looked for a company to set up the holes and develop the buildings. The course is situated across Blixen’s former coffee plantation in the colonial suburbs of Karen and the green and beautiful environment is unexplainable. The course has hosted major tournaments such as the Kenya Open from 2004 to 2008 and 2013 to 2016 and the famous triangular match between three brothers in 1969. Sitting in a layout that stretches out to almost 6,900 yards from the tips, Karen country club is a true favourite for many golfers in Kenya. It is ranked 37th best golf course in Africa.
Location
It is located close to Karen Blixen, Karen Road, Nairobi.
Call 0722204431 for any queries.
Vipingo Ridge
Founded in 2009 by former Kenya Open winner David Jones from Northern Ireland, Vipingo Ridge is one of Kenya’s beautiful and spectacular golf courses. The course was constructed to fit USGA specifications with a system of streams, interlinked lakes and waterfalls adding to the beauty of the place. Thousands of new trees were planted during the construction of the course which will in time give a fascinating view to the place. The course is famously referred to as a Baobab course due to the large baobab trees found in its surroundings. The club also has a PGA Golf Academy brand license that seeks to educate and create opportunities for youngsters to join the golf industry. It is ranked as the 21st best golf course in the whole of Africa.
Location
Vipingo ridge is located in Vipingo, less than an hour’s drive north of downtown Mombasa.
Call +254733155155 for more information.
Also Read: Michael Alan Spencer: Inside Kenya’s Most Expensive Hotel Owned By UK Billionaire
Nyali Golf and Country Club
Sitting on 150 acre of land, Nyali Golf and Country Club is an 18-hole course situated in the residential estate of Nyali. The land was part of an estate of sisal plantation but when the market fell in the early 1940s, the owners of the property built residential plots and created a 9-hole course as part of a recreational facility for the residents. In 1974 it acquired a members’ club recognition and within a period of six years, the course was extended to a full 18-hole layout. Polana grass from Mozambique was used in the course making it one of the best grounds in Africa. Although it is not located right on the Indian Ocean, the coastal winds that blow from the east can be felt while playing golf. It is ranked number 100 in Africa.
Location
It is located in the suburbs of Nyali, 5 miles North East of Mombasa Island.
Call +25441471589 for any queries.
Limuru Country Club
Creation of the golf course began with negotiations between local farmers and the authority over a 200 acre piece of land in 1945. Once they came to an agreement, the bushes were cleared and the first nine- holes layout was created around a horse track that was created at around the same time. The final 9-holes were set up three years later, followed by a construction of a cricket pitch, tennis courts and horse riding Centre. Situated in the midst of green farms and plantations, the golf course has one of the best scenic views in all of Africa.
Location
It is located in Limuru, Kiambu County.
Call 0734567800 for any queries.
Visit the site for more information: Limuru Country Club
Windsor Golf Hotel
The golf club is located inside Windsor Hotel and was designed by British architect Tom Maucauley up to championship standards. Situated between Gatharaini River to the north and a large coffee plantation to the south, the course offers the best environs to play a relaxing golf match. Playing and staying at the Windsor Golf Hotel and Country Club is a once in a lifetime opportunity that every golfer should experience. It is ranked as the 80th best golf club in Africa.
Location
It is located in Ridgeways, along Kigwa Road, Off Kiambu road, just 13 km from Nairobi City Center.
Call 0113590541 for more information.
Sigona Golf Club
Established in 1938, Sigona Golf Club was designed by the English architect Tom Simpson. The first 9-hole layout was situated around an elephant watering hole which explains why there is an elephant logo appearing in the Club’s logo. The current 18-hole layout was modified in the late 1970s with the introduction of bunkers and some shortening of some of the holes to reduce the par from 74 to 72. The course is situated in a hilly site that was once a wattle tree plantation giving it an amazing view. It is ranked 80th best golf course in Africa.
Location
Sigona Golf Club is located to the northwest of Nairobi in Kikuyu, off the main road heading to Lake Naivasha.
Call 0715432144 for any inquiries.
Also Read: Hotels With Heated Pools In Nairobi And Their Prices
Leisure Lodge Beach Golf Resort
Constructed in 1992 by architect Tommy Fjastad, Leisure Lodge Golf Club is one of the best courses in East Africa attracting local and international golfers in their hundreds. The club is an 18-hole layout built to the standards of international championship. It is home to the largest annual amateur event in Kenya – The Diani Beach Masters. The golf club is located along the shores of the Indian Ocean giving it a wonderful ocean view.
Location
It is located just 20 miles south of Mombasa Island.
Call +254722206968 for any enquiries.
Thika Greens Golf Resort
Designed by DDV Design group in 2008, Thika Greens Golf Resort is an 18-hole course located in a gated community in the outskirts of Thika town. The last 9-holes layout is located on the downside where you can take long walks between green vegetation and huge trees. The place is suitable for amateur golfers who are looking to kick-start their careers in the world of golf.
Location
It is located along Old Murang’a Road, Thika. It is just 49 km north east of Nairobi City Center.
Call 0743849907 for any queries.
Great Rift Valley Lodge And Golf Resort
Opened in December 2000, the course has gained the reputation as one of the most challenging of all Kenya’s championship golf courses. Situated on the side of the Eburru Escarpment, the Great Rift Valley course measures around 6,500 meters above sea level. The place was constructed by British architect Thomas Fjastad who also constructed the Windsor Golf and Leisure Lodge courses.
Location
The golf course is located along North Lake Road, Rift Valley. It is 70 miles northwest of Nairobi City Centre.
Call 0729407160 for any queries.
