Selborne Golf Estate, Hotel & Spa

Old Main Rd,

Pennington, KwaZulu-Natal 4184

  • Office

    +27 (0)39 688 1800
  • Pro shop

    +27 (0)39 688 1896
  • Fax

    +27 (0)39 975 3126

About the course

  • The Course:

    18 holes. Tree-lined & open parkland. Undulating terrain - several slopes to climb.

  • Surroundings:

    Woodland and residential.

  • Designer:

    Denis Barker

Back
tees
Club
tees
Front
tees
Metres
6040
5614
4797
Par
72
72
72
SSS or slope
72
70
69

Location

Latitude:

-30.372972

Longitude:

30.675708

How to get there:

70 km S of Durban

Follow the N2 highway south from Durban for approximately 70 km. Take the Sezela exit and turn left at top of off-ramp. After approx 3 km on the old South Coast road, golf is on your left.

Selborne Golf Estate, Hotel & Spa

3-PLUS: Good course - several memorable features; worthy of 3½ stars.

Est. 1985

Selborne Golf Estate, Hotel & Spa: Less than an hours' drive south of Durban and set 2 km back from the sea, the 80-hectare Selborne Estate has been acclaimed for many years as one of South Africa's premier golfing stay & plays.

The elegantly sweeping short par-5 opening hole sets the tone for this classical parkland course, which roams its way over undulating, partly wooded, partly open terrain. Occasional areas of real estate development have not detracted from the naturalness of this layout, with many holes lined by dense jungle vegetation.

Water hazards are a frequent threat, especially on the front-nine, with many small, strategically placed ponds to be negotiated alongside some fairways and in front of several greens.

The back-nine feels a little more open than the front, and also contains many memorable holes. The very good downhill par-5 10th and uphill par-5 12th are both played from nicely elevated tees, while the risk-reward short par-4 closing hole presents a good opportunity to finish on par or better; too often however, the extensive bunkering, accompanying palm trees and three-tiered green contrive to produce scores of bogey or worse.

Generally good-width fairways will give encouragement to big-hitters, but beware a few holes, like the short par-4 8th, where accuracy from the tee will serve you better than a long and speculative tilt at the green. With its abundant and diverse flora and fauna, Selborne is a delightful and enjoyable course to play, and occasionally throws in a view or two of the Indian Ocean at the far end of the course.

List of courses: KwaZulu-Natal

Visitors

Who can play and when?

Visitors welcome on weekdays and weekends.

Must book in advance. Handicap required

Green fees

Visitor fee, 18-holes: R360.

Contact club for full details, SA affiliated and other discounts, packages, etc. [Last updated: 2021].

Other information

Golf carts (fitted with GPS) available for hire. Caddies available.

Practice facilities

Good

Did you know?

In 1985 Denis Barker was inspired to create South Africa's first residential golf estate out of what was then his Jersey cattle stud and dairy farm. He designed and built the course himself, and turned his family home into a luxury country lodge. Nowadays, around the estate, you can still see plenty of wildlife, including duiker, mongoose, vervet monkeys, bushbuck and over 160 bird species.

The club's emblem (a hunting dog or hound), comes directly from the family crest of the Earls of Selborne. The 2nd Earl was appointed high commissioner for South Africa in 1905, during which time he established the Selborne Estate. An almost identical emblem is used by Blackmoor Golf Club in Hampshire, England. Perhaps no surprise that Blackmoor was also owned by the Earls of Selborne.

Where2Stay

  • Selborne Golf Estate, Hotel & Spa4-star

    Old Main Rd, Pennington 4184, KwaZulu-Natal.

    +27 (0)39 688 1800

    Visit website

    At Selborne, the attentive staff create a special experience where the cosmopolitan comforts and high standards of a refined and exclusive estate are offered within this tranquil, subtropical setting. Amongst the wide array of facilities and services, Selborne offers an 18-hole championship golf course, health and beauty spa, private beach club, nature trails, conference facilities and fine dining.

    • Golf at this hotel:

      Selborne

    • Golf within 10 km:

      Umdoni Park

    • Golf within 30 km:

      Umkomaas

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