Hole 1 : Par 4 - 328m Stroke 10 (Ladies 287m Stroke 12)

The introduction to this hole sets the tone of what to expect. Big trees line both sides of this fairway. One must try and avoid the trees and rough right hand side! Tee shot left of centre. There are two sand traps – one in front left hand side and one on the right hand side. If there is a “red flag” this is directly behind the left hand trap. ‘Walk away!!– with a par or birdie’

Hole 2 : Par 4 - 332m Stroke 6 (Ladies 287m Stroke 4)

There are big trees on both sides of this fairway. At about the 200meter mark the fairway narrows down to about 50 to 60 meters. Big hitters target the left hand side trees to finish to an open fairway. One has to find the fairway!! Going left or right spells trouble. One sand trap is situated short left hand side. The other is top right hand side. A very flat Green – in my opinion the best green on the course.

Walk off this green with a par or birdie – “Big Smile”

Hole 3 : Par 4 - 325m Stroke 2 (Ladies 303m Stroke 2)

This hole has caused many a “swear word”. Big trees line the left hand side with thick bush to the right hand side. One is playing to a very narrow neck on this fairway which is guarded by trees all round. Most players use Irons off the Tee. The second shot must be directed right of the Green which is elevated – you can’t see from where one is playing from. Beware the sand trap short of the Green, second trap left and to the side of Green. Miss this trap and say “bye-bye” to your ball. Two tier Green – Red Flag is a challenge!!

Walk off this green with a par or birdie – “Think you’re a Pro”

Hole 4 : Par 4 - 274m Stroke 16 (Ladies 259m Stroke 8)

A hole that looks easy but is in fact, extremely deceptive. It is short but “cunning”. I have witnessed some very funny scores on this hole. The fairway is surrounded by trees and bush right up to the green. It is wise to use an iron off the Tee to the centre of the fairway. Big hitters have tried to hit the Green – I haven’t seen many birdies!! There is a sand trap bottom right of this Green which one can’t see. One is playing a second shot to a slightly elevated Green.

Walk away with par or birdie – “Be happy”

Hole 5 : Par 3 - 142m Stroke 14 (Ladies 138m Stroke 16)

This is the most attractive of the short holes and is nicknamed “Thromboses Hole”. The Tee is perched high up surrounded with bush and is a straight forward Tee shot. A sand trap is situated right of the Green with a second trap left and bottom. What makes this hole a challenge is a Red Flag directly behind the left hand sand trap – this size of the Green at this point is only about 6m wide!!

Make par on a Red Flag – “Hop skip to the next Tee”

Hole 6 : Par 4 - 365m Stroke 8 (Ladies 302m Stroke 6)

On a par with the first hole, trees line the full length of the left hand side fairway with thick bush on right hand side out of play!! Tee shot to the middle of the fairway. A sand trap is set at the bottom right hand side of the Green with a second slightly away from the left hand side.

Walk away with par – feel “Chuffed” Birdie Bonus

Hole 7 : Par 5 - 438m Stroke 18 (Ladies 382m Stroke 14)

One is teeing off between big trees and bush – narrow from the Tee. Back Tee can be intimidating. Trees line the full length of the left hand side. Right hand side rough and thick bush for the full length of the fairway right up to the Green. Avoid the trees left – focus right of the fairway with the drive. Playing into this Green there is a sand trap bottom right. It is also a very “severe two tier Green. Check for colour of flags – yellow and white will be at the bottom and red on the top tier. On yellow and white flags par and birdie are getable.

Red Flag make par – “Walk off – don’t look back”

Hole 8 : Par 3 - 163m Stroke 12 (Ladies 132m Stroke 18)

A very testing short hole!! There are a number of factors that play an important roll in how one plays this hole. One is the wind – South wind it’s a two club swing. Second miss the sand trap on the left; you are looking at a 4 or 5. Thirdly, the Green has a very severe two tier to it. Fourthly, the red flag top back of the Green, to make par – not easy. Bottom flags yellow and white – chances for a par or better are a reality. Ball coming to rest on the back of this Green and the flag is a white one – close your eyes and hope!!

Par this hole or better – “Walk off with a spring in your step”

Hole 9 : Par 5 - 461m Stroke 4 (Ladies 361m Stroke 6)

I seem to recall that this hole was rated the best hole in Natal at one time. Hole is still the same – new green. Pitch it in the middle and it will roll off the back. This is the first time one feels the “Roth” of the wind. The North Easterly brings the right hand mangroves, which line the full length of the fairway, into play. The South Westerly brings the trees on the left hand into play. As one is now playing into the wind, the tee shot is vital; you must find the fairway – down the middle!! You are not out of the woods yet!! The most important shot now is the second. Hook this shot and you will be making some funny comments. Push or slice the second shot, be prepared to walk back to the club and “sulk”. There is a sand trap bottom right of the Green.  Wind WILL determine what you shoot on this hole!!!

Par or birdie on this hole – “Stick your chest out – Enjoy Halfway Snack”

Hole 10 : Par 4 328m Stroke 10 (Ladies 287m Stroke 12)

If you haven’t played this hole in the wind you need to focus on which direction the wind is blowing. The mangrove on both sides’ shields the wind and this affects your decision on which club to use for the second shot and the direction on a wide fairway. North wind – play Tee shot left. South wind – play right of fairway. One sand trap left of the Green – a good Green to putt on!!

Walk away with par – be “smug” – Look at next hole (Birdie bonus)

Hole 11 : Par 4 - 341m Stroke 9 (Ladies 291m Stroke 7)

You have now reached the “OPEN” nine and the wind will always determine how you play this hole. In the middle of the fairway there is a lateral water hazard that runs the full length of the fairway. One must understand his “own ability” as to where and what direction to play his Tee shot. Caddies have made a killing, looking for balls in this hazard. A sand trap is situated left and short of the Green with a second short and right of the Green. There are two ways to look at what result one can expect – North Easterly a par is welcome/ South Westerly par or birdie is a real possibility.

You could walk off this green with mixed feelings – high and low!! Try and put the result behind you!!!

Hole 12 : Par 4 - 354m Stroke 11 (Ladies 318m Stroke 3)

This hole runs parallel to the 11th fairway. Here again the wind will determine how you play. Not very different with the North wind, but the South wind has a pronounced effect on ones Tee shot. A lateral water hazard runs the full length of the fairway halfway to the Green. Left hand side of the bridge there is a dam. You are looking at a sand trap left bottom of the Green; second trap right hand side – good putting Green. Short hitters – beware!!!

Walk away with par – will slow the heart beat (Birdie bonus)

Hole 13 : Par 5 - 493m Stroke 13 (Ladies 418m Stroke 5)

In my opinion this hole has the most character to it. It is a very pronounced dog’s leg from right to left. The left hand side has a cricket field and tennis courts plus the entrance road. There are “out of bound” markers to this side right up to the Green. The right hand side of the fairway has a lateral water hazard running the length. There are also trees guarding the right hand side. A sand trap is set top right hand side of the Green – a good Green to putt on. Vital to aim tee shot down the centre of the fairway. With the second, keep away from the trees to your left and the water hazard to your right.

Walk away with par here – you’ve done well!!! (Birdie bonus)

Hole 14 : Par 3 - 131m Stroke 15 (Ladies 120m Stroke 17)

This is one of the least difficult short holes. Nevertheless a red flag makes one think. Bunkers right of the Green. ‘Walk away with par, possible 2. “Drop a shot here – You must wonder why you play this game!!!”

Hole 15 : Par 4 - 350m Stroke 5 (Ladies 315m Stroke 1)

This is a good solid par 4. The fairway and rough on the left hand side runs parallel with the entrance road with a fairly big dam on the right hand side. Fairway is wide, not too much of a threat. Big hitters beware –the right hand side dam reachable!! About 40 to 50 paces from the green there is a lateral water hazard for short hitters which can be a problem as you can’t see the front from ones second shot.

Walk off with a par – Pick up your shoulders – well done!!! (Birdie bonus)

Hole 16 : Par 4 - 377m Stroke 1 (Ladies 299m Stroke 9)

This hole is in my opinion one of the hardest to score on. The wind plays a very important part which ever direction it blows. Out of bounds on the left hand side and palm trees and rough on the right hand side. Green has a very narrow entrance allmost surrounded by water and bunkers. The fairway slopes from left to right. Sand trap left of a very pronounced two tier green. If the red flag is back of the green, it is wise to play left of this fairway and slightly left with the second shot. You must try and stop your hands shaking, when putting from below the green to a red flag!!

Walk away with a par here – “You are definitely thinking of turning Pro!!!”

Hole 17 : Par 4 - 154m Stroke 7 (Ladies 119m Stroke 11)

A very intimidating hole surrounded with reeds and water on the front side and at the back. A sand trap is set to the right of the Green and one to the back of this Green. The wind plays a very big part on this hole – more than on any other hole on the course. From my own experience, I have used a 3 iron to a 9 iron. Picking the right club is crucial!!!

Make par – Walk to the last hole with a spring in your step

Hole 18 : Par 4 - 337m Stroke 3 (Ladies 305m Stroke 15)

A very good finishing hole. The mangroves and big trees line the full length of the left hand side fairway. Out of bounds markers are well right of the fairway. At the club House the out of bounds markers can be a threat. There is a big sand trap right of the green and another one to the left! Tee shot keep to the right of the fairway. Hook ones tee shot into the mangroves – look forward to the 19th hole!!!

Walk away with par – Be satisfied – a big load off your shoulders!!! (Birdie Bonus)