A week back we had a lecture on a tourism unit in school. We had PowerPoint presentations on different tourism types. Although, according to the lecturer, the extent of research done was poor, there was one particular extra tasking topic - Golfing. It's almost had no clue. I wouldn't blame us, golfing in Kenya is considered to be for the few elite and it's unheard of in majority of rural areas. But here is the fact about golfing in Kenya.
There are over 40 golf courses in Kenya, 13 are 18-hole, 10 used for championships and 6 are within a 20mile radius of Nairobi -Kenya's bustling capital. The oldest 18-hole course is Royal Nairobi golf club founded in 1906 and the latest being the David Jones design Vipingo Baobab club on the East Africa coast opened in July 2009. A number are being upgraded from 9-hole to 18-hole. Kenya's Muthaiga golf club is the host of Kenya Open, part of the European PGA challenge cup.
Kenya can as well boast being awarded the prestigious IAGTO award for the best undiscovered destination of the world for the year 2009.
So, what's unique about golf in Kenya?
Climate
Kenya's climate is all year round perfect for golf settings . In highland areas,, temperatures are in the lows of 20's and at the coast in the highs of 20's and lows of 30's. There are 12 hours daylight all year through. In rainy seasons (April and November) rain will mostly fall before 10am and after 5pm which is almost never when you are playing golf. Golf courses situated in arid areas have systems to water the fields for luscious green fields all year.
Variety
Kenya has a variety to offer in golf courses, from the beach clubs set among palms with breathtaking views of the sapphire Indian ocean, to those dominated by the perennial snow capped Mt. Kenya. Most of the highland golf courses are situated above 5000 meters above sea. This gives you an additional 10% yardage to your stroke. One is even built at the slopes of an extinct volcano.
Price
Golf fees in Kenya are easier on the pocket compared to the European and American counterparts. Fees vary between courses and days of the week but usually come under US$50 for an 18-hole round and for that you get first class facilities , welcoming clubhouses,often all to yourself. The only extre cost will be a caddy. The courses also welcome non-members and do not on insist on members taking 'temporary membership '.
Attractions
There's no other country in Kenya, perhaps the world that will have an offering of golf and wildlife paired as Kenya does. We offer a wholesome 'golf safari'. Golfing in the ambience of wildlife; offering first class facilities, cafés, restaurants, swimming pools and others in pure, wild, unstrained nature with few or no civil structures around. From swimming with the whale and sharks at the coast to elemental elephant encounters at Amboseli, from the fearsome big cats to.the superlative - defying spectacle of the Masai Mara wilderbeast migration, no other country does wildlife like Kenya.
Availability
Most of Kenya's golf courses offer golfing competitions on weekends but all other days are free for golfers to show up and play although prior bookings are advised.
Caddies
Although Kenya has no golf carts available, there are caddies available. They are competent golfers who speak excellent English and are willing to collect stay balls and give advise when required to. Generally, a caddy will charge a fee of $6-$8, which is paid directly to your caddy. This cost is worth every penny considering the local altitude and climate.
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