Shaka's Rock Road,
Ballito, KwaZulu-Natal
Office
+27 (0)32 525 4632Pro shop
+27 (0)32 946 5407Fax
+27 (0)32 525 4631Website
Visit websiteGolf pro
Elbert du Plessis (Golf Mgr)The Course:
18 holes. Tree-lined & open parkland. Undulating terrain - several slopes to climb.
Surroundings:
Rural countryside and residential.
Designer:
Peter Matkovich
-29.509537
31.220419
45 km N of Durban
Take the N2 highway north from Durban, direction Stanger. After approx 45 km take the Shaka's Rock Road exit, and turn right onto Shaka's Rock Road. After 1.2 km golf is on your left.
Simbithi
Simbithi Country Club: Simbithi is something of a unique 18-hole golf development with a layout comprising 13 par-3's, four par-4's and one par-5. Contained within the par of 60 and Simbithi's 3,902 metres from the back tees, Peter Matkovich has crafted a wonderful and varied collection of short holes, complemented by five very good longer holes.
With the ability to go round in under 3 hours, this terrific "short course" will give your straight game and iron play a thorough workout. The front-nine has a very natural and partly tree-lined feel, with a densely wooded creek running alongside many holes. Wetland areas not only create some threatening water hazards, but are also home to a fabulous array of chattering birdlife.
On the longer back-nine, which contains the two longest par-4's and the good-length par-5, the terrain is more open and the holes equally stunning. The plunging short par-3 17th, to perhaps the smallest island green you've ever played is just one of many gems to be found around this intriguing layout.
Bunkering, as you might expect, plays a key role in the majority of holes. With excellent quality maintenance and many natural features, Simbithi is a delight to play, even if it lacks the length of a typical new 18-hole development.
Visitors welcome on weekdays and weekends.
Must book in advance.
Golf carts available for hire and compulsory most of the time; walking permitted at certain times under the discretion of the Golf Mgr.
Like much of this area of KwaZulu-Natal, Simbithi has been carved out of what was former sugar cane plantation.
PO Box 404, Umhlali 4390, KwaZulu-Natal
+27 (0)322 538 1007
Visit websiteZimabli Lodge is one of South Africa's most exclusive boutique hotels. The Lodge is set within the serene confines of a coastal forest reserve, overlooking the beautiful Indian Ocean. Amongst the wide array of facilities and services, Zimbali offers an excellent 18-hole championship golf course, health and beauty spa, beach, horse riding, nature trails, tennis, mountain biking, conference facilities and fine dining in the Thandi restaurant.
Zimbali
Umhlali; Simbithi
Prince's Grant; Mount Edgecombe I & II
Protea Mall Cnr Lighthouse & Chartwell Drive, Umhlanga Rocks 4320, KwaZulu-Natal
+27 (0)31 561 4413
Visit websiteCentrally situated in the heart of Umhlanga Rocks, the Protea Hotel Umhlanga is approximately 2 minutes walk to the main protected beach. Also within walking distance of many pubs, restaurants, shopping centres and the vibrant nightlife. Upmarket towns of La Lucia, Umdloti and Mount Edgecombe are only minutes away.
No
Mount Edgecombe I & II; Durban CC (Beachwood course)
Zimbali; Umhlali; Simbithi; Durban CC; Royal Durban; Cotswold Downs.
Sony Open in Hawaii: played at Waialae Country Club near Honolulu, the Sony Open takes over the spotlight from The Sentry as the PGA Tour’s calendar-year opening event (Jan 15-18). The Sentry (not being played in 2026) was formerly known as the Tournament of Champions, with a field typically restricted to golfers who won a PGA Tour event in the previous calendar year.
Dubai Desert Classic: the DP World Tour’s first Rolex Series event of 2026, is contested for the 37th time (Jan 22-25). First won by Englishman Mark James in 1989, it now boasts a four-time winner, Rory McIlroy. Played on the Emirates Golf Club’s Majlis course, this once desert-surrounded course is the long-time flagship for Golf in Dubai.
Our visit last month included two rounds at Golf de Chantilly, one of France’s most prestigious clubs.
It offers two superb layouts: Le Vineuil, a five-star championship course with a rich history, and Longères, an excellent four-star course that provides a strong and enjoyable test.
The wider Paris region offers plenty more. Courses such as Fontainebleau, Golf de Saint-Germain, and several other top-rated layouts make this area one of Europe’s most rewarding golf destinations, offering a mix of woodland, heathland, and parkland designs.
The Dutch: "It's no' just a game", as they say in Scotland, and that's certainly true at The Dutch. With 5-star services throughout, a lavishly comfortable Loch Lomond-inspired clubhouse, and a superbly designed and presented golf course, one could not ask for more from this top-end private club.
Join us at The Dutch from August 21–24 for the Festival of Golf, featuring the HotelPlanner Tour. Experience four days of top-tier sport, live music, incredible food, and unexpected surprises. Explore the grounds, connect with others, embrace new challenges, and dive into an unforgettable celebration. Click here to buy tickets.
Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.
Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available
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