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Golf
Said Tom Weiskopf, designer of the course at Zimbali "The character of the property is one that I'd describe as having an abundance of natural features which include constant changes in elevation, a combination of mature indigenous trees and vegetation and some beautiful wetland areas with natural steams and ponds, all creating a dramatic and beautiful setting." Weiskopf designed courses are ranked amongst the best in the world and it certainly won't be long before Zimbali takes its place on the list of South Africa's finest.
Once again, the principal that golf is more exciting played downhill is well applied at Zimbali with most tees positioned high on the sides of hills or dunes with a fairway flowing through a valley to a green cut at the bottom of the next hill.
The course has two distinct characteristics. Some of the holes are built amongst what were once cane fields, have few trees and are links like in feel, while others are cut through dense indigenous forest and wetlands. Two of these forest holes will be among everyone's favorites. The 12th, a long par five with tall trees both left and right is a genuine three hitter with or without wind.
The 13th, a par four that is bordered on the left by the Golf Lodge and on the right by wetlands is probably the most spectacular and dramatic hole on the course. It features a dramatic change in elevation from tee down to fairway and a green guarded to left and right by wetlands and bunkers.
This is the view that lodge residents wake up to each morning and if that does not get the golfing juices flowing, nothing will.
A driving range, practice greens and locker room facilities are available.
Hole 1
Par 4
This is a gentle enough starting hole, the rule being to stay well to the right off the tee.
The bunker on the left of the fairway is both strategic and directional. There is purposely little trouble because of the hole being built on one of the highest parts of the course to take advantage of the view, and it is very exposed to the wind.
The hole doglegs to the left, and the right side should also be favoured when playing the approach to the green.
Hole 2
Par 4
From an elevated tee, one surveys a lake on the left of the fairway, which guards the hole all the way to the green, with a directional bunker on the right of the fairway.
Depending on the pin position, a tee shot centre of right of the fairway is the best option. A rather generous opening to the green allows for a run-up shot, and often even if the pin is placed in a tight position, a centre-of-the-green approach is best.
Hole 3
Par 5
This is a medium length hole with a fairway contouring from the right side, with bunkers guarding the left side. This is one of the softer par fives. Played with the wind, the hole indeed offers the longer hitter an easy opportunity of reaching the green in two with an iron.
Played into the wind, wet lands to the right of the lay-up second shot must be avoided. A bunker has been cleverly placed to offer the player a line to avoid trouble.
There is no trouble at the back of the green, so be aggressive rather than short with the approach shot.
Hole 4
Par 4
One of the best holes – the drive played over wetlands – a challenging hole which even after a good tee shot, tests the approach to the green.
Again we have an example of a less proficient player being offered a safer, if longer route to the green by placing the tee shot left and avoiding the longer carry. A hole well worthy of its stroke index of 2.
Hole 5
Par 3
A fine introduction to the par threes, with a lake to the left and behind the green.
Although yardage-wise this is a rather long hole (191m championship tee), it plays much shorter because of the steep downhill. Most of the danger is left of the green.
A large, steep-faced bunker guards the right side of the putting surface, but a generous entrance allows for par to be salvaged even if the tee shot comes up short.
Hole 6
Par 5
The second par five, which does look rather daunting from the tee, with a lake to the right of the fairway all the way to the green, but if played conservatively, should yield an easy par.
Stay well left with the tee shot – there is plenty of room, and then another shot favouring the left side will open up the green. The green and surrounds allows for some great pin positions.
Subtle slopes on and around this green which is protected by bunkers left, right and behind, makes for some interesting situations if the target is not found.
Hole 7
Par 4
Although not the longest, this is one of the toughest par fours, mainly because of the green which slopes severely from left to right, and some deceptive bunkering. The approach shot, after a drive over wetlands, must be kept to the left side of the green – no matter where the pin is placed.
Particularly if played into the wind, this hole can be very tough. The tee shot should favour the left side of the fairway – and do not be fooled, the large bunker placed short of the green is further from the putting surface than it appears.
Hole 8
Par 4
A classic dogleg running right to left with bunkers guarding both sides of the fairway.
Depending on the wind, this may not be a driving hole, but the bunker on the right of the fairway is a directional aid. The approach to the large, relatively flat green is straightforward. The pin position should be carefully noted; and front to back positions can influence club selection by as much as three irons.
Hole 9
Par 3
A classic long par three, normally played in a cross wind.
Bunkers right and left guard this large green, and because the hole is exposed on high ground, a well stuck long iron or even a wood is called for. Again the high handicapper need not fear – there is no trouble short of the green.
Hole 10
Par 4
A picturesque hole played downhill, bunkers down the left side, with a beautiful water feature running down the right side of the fairway, which then swings left and runs across the fairway.
The water feature really makes this hole. A long iron off the tee leaves just a short iron approach.
Although relatively short, a middle-of-the-green approach may be the safest route to take.
Hole 11
Par 3
Another beautiful view of the green from an elevated tee. Water guarding a shot, which finishes short left, so the safe line is to the right side of the green.
Club selection is again quite tough, however, the golfer has the advantage of playing his ball off a flat area, the ball teed up, can create the most favourable angle.
Hole 12
Par 5
It is at this point that the character of the course changes quite dramatically. From an almost links-like feel, we now experience a hole, which is carved through a forest – a truly great par five of almost 600 yards.
This hole is nearly always protected from the wind, and the advice off the tee is simple – you don't want to go left.
With the fairway sloping from the right, and a thick stand of mature trees waiting for the hooked shot, this is advice worth heeding. A drive to the right side of the fairway opens up the second shot, then a third will be played uphill to a well-guarded green.
It is understandable that this is the designer's favourite par 5, and he admits that the minimum of work was done to create what is a beautiful, natural hole.
Hole 13
Par 4
This is a hole for the shortlist of the most scenic par fours to be found anywhere. The view of the hole from the tee is nothing short of spectacular, and although the thick sub tropical forest seems to be waiting for the errant shot, there is plenty of margin for error.
"Yes this is a pretty hole, perhaps the most memorable. The fairway is wide enough, but favour the left side".
The green is particularly difficult to hold, even though the player would normally be playing in only a short iron.
Hole 14
Par 3
If you have the right club, there are no real problems – overclub and a tough shot from the bunkers at the back of green awaits.
Another magnificent hole with what seems a sheer drop to the putting surface. Another piece of advice – although the tee is protected from the wind, the green isn't – take good look at the flag before playing. A stream does front the green, but there is plenty of leeway for the shot coming up short.
Hole 15
Par 4
This is probably the most difficult hole on the course. Although the fairway is wide, the long second shot to a green sloping from left to right makes for a strong par 4.
Off the club tees, the player must take care to place the drive in the fairway, preferably left of centre, which bottle-necks – ever-narrowing towards the green.
When played downwind, there is a risk of running out of fairway – against the wind, the hole is a monster.
Hole 16
Par 4
Another example of the designer appreciating the classic par 4. A dogleg to the right, subtle bunkering, and an elevated green best approached from the right side.
A solid tee shot leaves a short iron approach, and again we have left plenty room on the right side of the fairway.
Hole 17
Par 5
The shortest par five on the course – perhaps a par four and a half. Keep the drive well left of the bunker, favour the right side for the second shot, whether approaching the green or laying up.
A feature of this hole is a hidden bunker beyond the one that is visible from the tee, so resist the temptation of taking what seems to be the shortest route to the green.
Hole 18
Par 4
Another classic hole – the clubhouse visible to the right of the green, plenty of options with the drive, and a great finish.
A dogleg to the right with all the trouble to the left of the fairway. Thick bush and a string of bunkers down the left side. Keep the tee shot as far left as your length allows, but the safest option is to play to the right and face a longer approach, which should also favour the right side of the green.
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