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Name: Princes Grant
Type of Club: Estate/Resort
Golf Digest Ranking: 23
Sport & Safaris Rating: Platinum
Location: Kwa-Zulu Natal
Region: Dolphin Coast
Sub Region: Stanger
The Course:
Type of Course: Links
Designer: Peter Matkovich
No of Holes: 18
Clubhouse and other Facilities:
Princes Grant golf resort is situated on the north coast of KwaZulu-Natal in close proximity to the holiday town of Ballito with its 5 (existing or under construction) magnificent courses and is in driving distance of Zululand with its world famous game reserves. In addition to the wonderful Matkovich designed course which is ranked 23rd in the country by SA Golf Digest, Princes Grant has a well equipped Pro Shop, a classic luxurious clubhouse, with comfortable change rooms, a superb halfway house and Bunkers restaurant which offers excellent local cuisine. The 19th whole is the Mulligans Pub which is the quintessential Golfing Pub. Princes Grant is also a fantastic golf resort and estate with a 4 star lodge, with a conference centre and numerous other facilities and 100s of golf houses that are available to rent, with access to a great beach, rivers, natural forests, a lagoon, squash and tennis, Princes Grant is a fantastic golf destination.
The Course:
Although probably regarded as an ‘ocean course’ rather than a classic links, Princes Grant with its seaside location, undulating landscape and clever design definitely lends itself to links style golf. The Course has a mixture of holes ranging from long par 5’s to drivable par 4’s and provides a challenge for the low handicapper whilst giving the ‘improving golfer’ a fair but rewarding golfing experience. Apart from the terrific golfing experience, the course features breathtaking scenery of the adjacent Indian Ocean and Lagoon. There are many terrific holes at Princes Grant, however there are a few holes that stand out. The 2nd Hole a short par 4 measuring 368m and id known as ‘The pump house ‘, driver however is taken out of the equation with a severe dog leg right protected by water and sever undulations, a high bank and small mounds on the right give a perfect funnel for the tee shot, which will be with a mid to long iron. The second is over a ravine and water to a green backed by a high bank and it is a carry all the way to avoid rolling back into the water, in addition to this there are three well placed green side bunkers and natural bush to the left and right. The 3rd is a short par 3 measuring 158 metres which is accentuated by a severe drop from tee to green. The green has three distinct levels which allows for varied pin positions with different distances, if the pin is in the middle or right of the green it brings the water into play which lies in the front right of the green. A left hand bank allows a bail out shot. A rocky crossing and reed s makes this a truly interesting hole. The 15th hole at Princes Grant is regarded as the signature hole; the tee is set some 50 metres above an undulating fairway that is protected by indigenous bush on the left which is flanked by the Indian Ocean that brings in the ‘beastly easterly’ wind . If using the driver off the tee you have to negotiate the added threat of bunkers that will catch a good drive. The second shot from a well placed tee shot will be daunting with the fairway narrowing and bunkers protecting the landing area. The safe option even has its hazards, with the green well protected by bunkers, subtle undulations and ‘out of bounds’ at the back, a tough task even with a short club in hand. This hole is a microcosm of Princes Grant - it requires thought, a range of shots and has the all important risk & reward factor.
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