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THE GOLF
COAST
The KwaZulu Natal South Coast is often referred to as The
Golf Coast, and with 8 top courses in the region, it is easy to understand
why. Each course offers its own distinctive character that assures you of
an exciting and challenging game - every stroke of the way.
Southbroom
Golf Course is, of course, our particular favourite and is only a 5-minute
walk from all of our units. Take a little time to browse through the
images and brief descriptions of some of the areas other great courses.
Remember to let us know where you would like to play when next on holiday
and we will book your game for you. It's all a part of the special service
you can expect from The Figtree Lodge collection.
SOUTHBROOM
COUNTRY CLUB
 Dennis Hutchinson, veteran pro golfer and TV
sport's commentator, describes Southbroom as one of the finest holiday
golf courses to be found - anywhere.
It's tough and tight layout through
lush coastal bush offers spectacular sea and surf views from the fourth
and fifth tees.
Recent renovations have produced wondrous results with
water features coming into play on many holes, but be warned, newly
constructed greens have increased the difficulty factor!
The first hole is
an excellent start,
a tricky par 4 to test your opening skills, followed
by a short par 3 on the 4th hole that might stop you in your tracks. This
is the most talked about hole on our course as it is part of the
coastline, and on rare occasions you can watch the dolphins play or whales
bask in the warm Indian Ocean currents.
Monkeys and birds abound and a
birdie or two of your own is on the cards for even the average golfer who
can hit two straight shots in a row. Beware the deceiving 68 rating
(par71), there's plenty of bush out there! Derek James, the local pro,
without a doubt has the best stocked golf shop on the "Golf Coast".
MARGATE COUNTRY CLUB
 Margate Golf Course is considered the
most improved course on the
Golf Coast.
The upgrading project, motivated by its keen and dedicated
members, has produced a new and challenging course.
Designers', Matkovich
and Hayes undertook the re-design project and the course now features
superb greens. Beware the 9th and 18th, both finishing par fives that
share a vast contoured green in the 'St Andrews' tradition.
It is a
relatively easy start up the first and second fairways but the course gets
more demanding from the third hole. The 10th and 11th are really
challenging holes, the short 11th, par 3, being one of the most deceiving
and demanding to be found anywhere.
Although only 3kms from the sea it is
located on relatively high ground and abounds with tall trees and
excellent inland views. Recent extensions to the clubhouse have provided a
spacious bar and snooker room.
SAN
LAMEER COUNTRY CLUB
 The emphasis at both San Lammer's Villa
Resort and golf course is on landscaping and conservation, and as the
great Walter Hagan once said, `Take time to smell the flowers'.
The result
is a golfers dream. The park-like setting with it's many water features
ranks it among the most picturesque courses in southern Africa, and is
headed for its place in the country's top ten.
Over 300 species of
birdlife have been noted, including the Woolly-Necked Stork and other
birds of significant conservation value.
The grasslands and wooden areas
provide a perfect habitat for a variety of wild animals and indigenous
flowers. Visitors are encouraged to report sightings of the shy buck and
antelope that make their home in these lush surroundings.
Peter Matkovich,
course designer and pro golfer, offers this advice - 'it is easy to make a
bogey; par is difficult'. The experienced golfer will play down the middle
and have a good time while the youngsters might take chances and be
frustrated - but hone their game considerably. There are 6 par threes but
two of these don't have fairways from tee to green, just lined gorges!
The
magnificent 13th hole features a waterfall, and the shot on the twelfth
(par five) is one of the most spectacular shots you are ever likely to
play.
THE WILD COAST SUN GOLF COURSE
 Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr,
this course is created to test
the skills of any golfer.
Rated one of the toughest in South Africa, it
has beaten the best. With its well-manicured lawns, spectacular sea views
(and breeze) this course is one of the most scenically beautiful to be
found on the Golf Coast.
59 large bunkers guard the manicured lawns, and
the hole layouts are one of the reasons why it has played host to many of
the top golf challenges.
After an unforgettable day of golf, relax at the
Clubhouse, sipping cocktails and preparing for an evening of wining,
dining and excitement at the Wild Coast Sun, one of South Africa's premier
gambling and entertainment venues.
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