Logo
Panel background

Simbithi

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Want to play
Have played

A Peter Matkovich design, the layout at Simbithi Country Club is an executive golf course that plays to a par of 60; consisting of thirteen par threes, four par fours and one par five.

Overall rating

Gallery image

Simbithi

Located in the expanding town of Ballito, conveniently close to the King Shaka International airport on KwaZulu Natal’s Indian Ocean coast, the Simbithi Eco Estate is a large residential development that includes a variety of leisure amenities including swimming pools, tennis courts, an equestrian centre and a rather unique 18-hole golf course.

Designed by Peter Matkovich, who has a house on the estate, the eighteen holes are laid out in the style of an executive course, with thirteen par threes, four par fours and only one par five. It’s the first South African course specifically designed with busy, time-challenged working people in mind. It’s also loads of fun to play, even though you’re likely to use every club in the bag.

Simbithi plays to a par of 60, offering golfers the opportunity to shoot a score in the 50s. However, even playing to one's handicap is quite an achievement here because there are a number of challenging par threes. It's also a cart course, so you can get around all eighteen holes in less than three hours, which is always a plus factor.

Elbert Du Plessis, the Golf Manager, sent us the following comments:

The most difficult hole on the course is the par four 14th (“Mhlabathini”) and for good reason as it measures over 400 meters. You have to hit a good drive to an uphill landing area before taking on an approach shot to an elevated green, where only a well-directed shot to the centre will stay on the putting surface. Most days, par will feel like a birdie here.

The signature hole at Simbithi is the par three 17th (“Isiqhingana”), the thirteenth and final short hole on the course. It’s very short, playing to only 80 meters, with an elevation drop of 30 meters from the tee to a small island green. This is a hole to test the nerves of even the most skilled players so late in the round but it’s one to look forward to with eager anticipation.

World Top 100 Golf Courses

The latest ranking of the Top 100 Golf Courses in the World serves as the ultimate global golf bucket list. Most members of our World Top 100 Panel are seasoned golfers, each playing 20-30 of these courses annually while travelling extensively over decades to form their opinions on others. We recognise that opinions vary—even among our panel members. Rankings are subjective, and there are undoubtedly 50 or more courses in the UK and USA alone that could easily fit onto this list. Links Golf Pilgrimages The rankings

  1. Cypress Point Club

    California, United States

  2. Pine Valley Golf Club

    New Jersey, United States

  3. Royal County Down (Championship)

    Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

  4. Shinnecock Hills Golf Club

    New York, United States

  5. National Golf Links of America

    New York, United States

Explore All