South Africa’s coastline offers superb seaside golf courses. From links-inspired layouts to parkland courses with panoramic sea views, these five courses from KwaZulu-Natal to the Cape will get any golfer smiling
Wild Coast Sun, KwaZulu-Natal
long a holiday hotspot for locals, the rolling green hills of KwaZulu-Natal on the east coast of South Africa are home to a number of superb golf courses. With time to spare the likes of Prince’s Grant, Durban Country Club and Zimbali all offer wonderful tracks and top-notch service. But two hours south of the city lies one of the elder statesmen of the South African golf landscape: the Wild Coast Sun.
A regular feature on the local Sunshine Tour, the 18-hole layout of the Wild Coast Sun Country Club is more challenging than it appears. Though the course is short (5800-yards), the fairways wide and the greens forgiving, sea breezes and the distraction of glorious coastal scenery will challenge even the low-handicapper. The signature hole is the par-3 13th where a woody ravine and tumbling waterfall separates tee from green. If the prevailing winds are up, a fairway wood is the best choice of club.
The resort also boasts extensive facilities for non-golfers, with a wide range of restaurants, spa facilities and the kid-friendly Wild Waves Water Park. Green fees from £38 per 18 holes (including compulsory cart).
St. Francis Links, Eastern Cape
Conveniently situated between the ever-popular Garden Route and the malaria-free safari reserves east of Port Elizabeth, this scenic course has become one of the most respected links-style layouts in South Africa.
A Jack Nicklaus Signature Course, the ‘Golden Bear’ has certainly put his stamp on the layout here, with endless bunkers waiting to trap the unwary. While the fairways offer more landing space than expected, wayward shots caught in the ever-present coastal winds are likely to end up in the dense shrub and indigenous milkwood trees that cover the surrounding sand dunes. While the bush is wild the course itself is anything but; always superbly conditioned with manicured fairways and neatly clipped greens. Players enjoy superb views of the Indian Ocean from much of the course, but a further highlight is the trio of holes that hug the shores of a wetland bird sanctuary.
The clubhouse offers the well-regarded Lighthouse Restaurant, and a number of self-catering luxury houses are available for rent on the secure gated estate. Green fees £43 per 18 holes.
Pezula, Garden Route
When it comes to golf with a sea view, it’s hard to beat the dramatic 14th green at Pezula. A short par-4, the sea cliffs and panoramic views of this signature hole neatly encapsulate the dramatic layout of this championship golf course set high above the holiday town of Knysna.
Course architects Ronald Fream and David Dale have carved a remarkable layout from the indigenous bush and rocky cliffs here, with holes that blend parkland and links signatures into a memorable round of 18. Fairways meander through serene woodland and across windswept hilltops, before challenging the player with drives across deep ravines. It’s a challenging yet entertaining course always in tremendous condition. The on-site Conrad hotel is an excellent base for exploring the region’s many superb courses. Green fees from £75 per 18 holes.
Atlantic Beach Golf Club, Cape Town
you’ll struggle to find better views of Cape Town’s iconic Table Mountain than on the back-nine of Atlantic Beach, so no surprise that visitors make up the bulk of bookings at this scenic coastal golf estate 30 minutes from the city centre.
Despite the sea views from much of the course, don’t let the views of Table Bay and Robben Island distract from the task at hand. While the fairways offer wide landing zones, the rough is made up of impenetrable coastal bush: miss the grass and that Titleist is gone for good. Despite the ever-present salty breezes the course is well conditioned, and the greens putt true. The spacious clubhouse offers wonderful coastal views, so it’s worth leaving time to toast the round… and lament those lost balls. The on-site four-star lodge is ideal for golfers planning to play a few rounds. Green fees from £35.
The Links at Fancourt, Garden Route
With its state-of-the-art golf academy, three 18-hole courses, luxury hotel and family-friendly leisure centre, Fancourt Estate is far and away the most impressive golf destination on South Africa’s scenic Garden Route. While The Montagu and Outeniqua courses are impressive, it’s The Links that is spoken of in hushed tones.
Golf icon Gary Player called it his greatest achievement as a golf course designer, and this 7000-yard track is breathtaking in its ambition, and beauty. It’s a challenging course, particularly when the wind is up, and while there are no sea views here it’s just a few minutes from the ocean and a links course in every other sense. Thick rough and grassy swales punish errant drives, while deep pot-bunkers guard lightning-fast greens. Tee-times are limited to members and hotel guests, rates from £125 per 18 holes.
