Make the most of our long summer days – and play some of the most incredible golf courses in South Africa, all situated in a 100km stretch along the KZN South Coast. Known as the “Golf Coast”, visitors will find 11 wonderful golf courses, each unique and offering both amateurs and professionals true golfing challenges.
Stretching from Umkomaas in the north through to the Wild Coast in the south, these golf courses offer more than just a wonderful game, they’re also famous for their 19th holes! Besides a quality golfing experience, the region has wonderful scenery, the best beaches, top restaurants, and an array of exciting activities for family adventure.
11 reasons to get golfing on the KZN South Coast
1. Umkomaas Golf Club (Umkomaas): Start the golf tour by teeing off at the beautiful Umkomaas course – the Golf Coast’s oldest golf course. This user-friendly course is well-suited to mid-level golfers, boasts some captivating ocean views and there’s a friendly clubhouse with braai facilities. It also happens to be the home course of South African pro and winner of the 2010 Players Championship, Tim Clark.
2. Scottburgh Golf Club (Scottburgh): This is another user-friendly and incredibly popular semi-links golf course famous for its ocean views. Offering two distinctly different nines, this course will challenge all golfers. When played in winter, the course allows for sightings of migrating whales and other marine activity associated with the annual Sardine Run.
3. Selborne Park Golf Estate (Pennington): Considered one of the country’s premium residential golf estates, this high-quality course was designed by Denis Barker and has played host to many Pro-Ams and the South African Women’s Open. With its well-manicured greens winding through indigenous forests, this is a beautiful but challenging course to play. Selbourne boasts great facilities including a restaurant, world-class spa, accommodation and Barker’s Bar.
4. Umdoni Park Golf Club (Umdoni Pennington): Home to the historic Botha House, this course is steeped in golf tradition. The outward nine offers wonderful views of the coast ideal for whale watching in winter, with the back nine heading into beautiful indigenous forest through groves of magnificent and Umdoni trees. Experienced golfers will certainly appreciate the layout of what’s considered one of the area’s top courses.
5. Port Shepstone Country Club (Port Shepstone): This is a stunning golf course that’s tucked between the Indian Ocean and the Umzimkulu River. The front nine of the course is very open, which means sea breezes but also allows for big drives, while the back nine winds its way through thick indigenous bush along the banks of the mighty Umzimkulu. As the region’s premier country club, Port Shepstone is equally popular with locals and visitors, boasting a range of great facilities including bowling greens, a cricket field, tennis and squash courts, with many championship events held here.
6. Harding Country Club (Harding): Just a 45-minute drive inland from Port Shepstone within the friendly farming town of Harding is a lovely nine-hole course, which offers two tee boxes for an 18-hole experience. Surrounded by farmlands and forests, this is a really scenic little course suited to those looking for a more relaxed round of golf. It’s also famous for its 19th hole hospitality where visitors can enjoy a bite to eat and enjoy a drink with some of the friendliest locals.
7. Margate Country Club (Margate): This course has a number of interesting water features, including a stunning ravine that makes the 11th hole the most challenging of the round. It caters to golfers of all abilities, and the clubhouse offers great facilities and landscape views. Situated in the “Fun Capital” of the region, visitors to this course have their pick of great accommodation, eateries and nightlife – just a chip and a putt away!
8. Southbroom Golf Club (Sothbroom): This is one of the most popular courses in the region and is situated in the picturesque town of Southbroom. Each of the 18 holes on this short course has its own unique feature. The 4th hole, a par three, has been described by legendary South African golfer, Gary Player, as one of the most beautiful holes in the country. Host to the South African Women’s Open and many corporate events, this course offers a true golf challenge and is complemented by a well-stocked Pro Shop, a clubhouse with incredible ocean views, and 19th hole which is equally popular with locals and visitors.
9. San Lameer Golf Course (San Lameer Estate, Marina Beach): This world-class golf course is located within South Africa’s first golf estate established in 1973. A beautiful but testing golf course, with incredibly well-manicured greens and water coming into play on 12 of the 18 holes! Its tight layout, narrow fairways, large bunkers and thick rough make this a challenging but exciting round of golf. San Lameer also played host to the South Africa Women’s Open and Masters over the years and most recently hosted the South African Men’s interprovincial.
10. Port Edward Country Club (Port Edward): For a pleasurable round of golf, Port Edward is a great bet. It’s a nine-hole course with double tees for 18 holes, but the undulating terrain and big coastal winds will test any golfer’s fitness levels and skill. Relaxing at the 19th hole after a round and meeting some of the friendliest locals makes this a legendary experience!
11. Wild Coast Sun Country Club (Wild Coast Sun): Consistently rated in the top 10 golf courses in South Africa, the one-of-a-kind course was designed by Robert Trent Jones Jnr and incorporates the natural topography and geography of the region for a great golfing experience. The course forms part of the South African PGA circuit with a par 70 card rating. Its spectacular layout includes a fair number of elevation changes while playing across gorges and waterfalls. While the wind on this short course can make for a trickier round, it’s ideal for mid- to high-level players and a great test for a lower handicap. Those who are unlucky on the greens can always recover by spinning the wheel of fortune at the Wild Coast Sun Casino!
All photos by USCT