In case you are out and about this festive season, the Mole has put together a list of interesting golf courses to keep your eye out for.
Legend Golf and Safari
Set in the safari province of Limpopo, Legend consists of 19 very interesting golf holes – as well as a tribute course. The championship course comprises 18 holes designed by different golfing professionals, from Trevor Immelman and Retief Goosen to Jim Furyk and Sergio Garcia.
The Extreme 19th hole is easily the most unique golf hole in the country. Those wishing to play it need to take a helicopter up to the summit of Hanglip Mountain, where a teebox has been carved into the mountain top. Form here, golfers hit driver to the Africa-shaped green some 400 metres below. The hole plays 400 metres in length but a good crack with the driver will give you a shot – if you manage to hit it straight!
The resort has its own tribute course, with replica holes of some of the most famous par threes in golf, including Augusta’s 12th and 16th holes, Troon’s ‘Postage Stamp’ and TPC Sawgrass’ island-green 17th.
Pinnacle Point
Set on the cliffs of Mossel Bay, this course may have been getting more attention thanks to it’s owners being liquidated, but anyone who has played here will tell you it ranks as one of the top courses in the country, if not the world. Amazing views, shots over sheer cliffs and a fabulous design all contribute to this memorable experience.
Ebotse
It’s a links course – in Benoni! Not just any links course, mind you, but an absolute cracker. If you transplanted this layout onto the coast, people would be raving about it as one of the greatest in the land. Definitely worth a visit.
Hans Merensky
One of the best parts about playing golf in South Africa is seeing wildlife near the courses. In the case of Hans Merensky, you’re as likely to see the animals on the course itself as the game wander freely across the layout. Golfers have had to chase giraffe off the greens as they try to play their rounds. Golf on the wild side!
Simbithi
Something new to South Africa – Simbithi’s ‘executive course’ concept may well catch on. Although a full 18 hole course, Simbithi is made up mostly of par three, with a few par fours and a par five thrown in for good measure. If you’re thinking it’s a mashie course, you’d be wrong – we are talking championship quality greens and fairways and you will end up using every club in your bag. And the best bit – you will be finished in under three hours. – what a pleasure!
