St Francis Links

Fantastic course. From arrival at the clubhouse you are swept away by the hospitality of the staff and the artistry of the course design. Every hole you have to weigh up your options before playing a shot.

Austin Langeveld

26 April 2025

The St Francis Links clubhouse is undergoing a major structural renovation beginning in January. The 2700-square metre thatch roof is being removed after nearly 20 years and replaced with new roofing material. It is a five-month rebuilding process and a new renovated clubhouse with improved spaces will emerge by the end of June. The residential estate has grown to 330 homes, with 50 new ones built in 2024.

Thomas Souness

02 January 2025

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St. Francis Links is an authentic links-style course and true test, offering a mix of elevated tees, rolling fairways, and strategically placed bunkers. The natural dunes and coastal fynbos shape the course, with every hole carved through the landscape. It is maintained to the highest standards. Fairways lush and firm, greens fast, challenging and rolling smoothly. A recent change to the par-4 11th is a new forward tee to make the drive less intimidating. There are many visually intimidating tee shots, but the more one plays here you get to know there are generous landing areas too. It's all about managing your way around. No 18 is a strong finishing 4 which will test any level of golfer.

Lihan Van der Merwe

19 December 2024

The Links is being readied for the PGA Championship from November 21-24, its fourth year in St Francis. The course always proves one of the most challenging the Sunshine Tour players will experience, with the weather playing a big part. A typical week at this time of year includes manageable breezes, calm mornings, gale-force winds and rain. Had a bit of all four during my round, and the changing elements are very much a part of the Eastern Cape golf experience. The estate component of St Francis Links is flourishing, with many additional houses since my last visit. This obviously means unwary new residents have often built their dream home in the line of fire from a tee. Changes have been made to the 11th hole due to houses right of the fairway coming into play. A new club tee has been built further forward and right of the back tee, and bush cut back left of the fairway, to encourage golfers to play down the left side of this impressive par 4. It's made it a better hole for the average golfer, although they still have to clear a pair of fairway bunkers on the left.

Stuart McLean

25 October 2024

St Francis Links will be closed for 3 weeks in August for their spring hollow-tining programme. One of very few courses in South Africa where management is prepared to lose green fee and cart revenue to do a proper job on the course, give their maintenance staff some down time, and not inflict bumpy and sandy greens on golfers a few days after hollow-tining is completed. The course closes after the long weekend of August 9-11 and reopens at the end of August. Arrangements are made for members to play elsewhere during that time. St Francis Links will again be hosting the SA PGA Championship from November 21-24, the fourth year in a row.

Thomas Souness

29 July 2024

The links is laid out in a beautiful landscape with lots of natural plant and bird life. Very playable layout even with a few blind holes. Tee boxes not in good condition or level. GUR areas surprisingly unmarked for a Top 10 course.

Brink Rautenbach

18 July 2024

Amazingly beautiful experience. Welcoming and organised club, attentive staff. Sustainability a great initiative.

Robert Hoffmann

14 June 2024

The Links is in fantastic condition. As the course matures it keeps on getting better. A year since my last visit and the maintenance team have added new features that highlight the attention to detail you come to expect from a Top 5 destination. They have inter-seeded all greens and this practice will ensure the overall health of the greens. Having played this course for years, I still get a Wow feeling multiple times during the round.

Thinus Keller

19 April 2024

The course has matured wonderfully since I last visited a number of years back. It is a tough test especially if the wind is up. The course was in good condition. The fast, undulating and large greens are a challenge.

Mark Lynam

15 November 2023

St Francis Links and Arabella are both Top 10 courses, coastal venues in windy locations, and have hosted Sunshine Tour events. Most club golfers would regard them as equally testing venues. Yet, as a single-figure index, I discovered on a recent trip that St Francis Links is considered by GolfRSA to be four shots more difficult in terms of Course Rating and Slope. Playing off the white club tees at each, I received four extra shots on my handicap at the Links compared to Arabella. The reason for that is that the Slope at the Links is 141, and only 120 at Arabella. That's a substantial difference for two championship layouts. Yes, Arabella's par 5s are considerably easier than the exacting quartet at the Links. The bunkers at the Links are more penal too. Stray shots at the Links are more likely to result in a lost ball than those which go off-line at Arabella, so perhaps those four shots are justified. All the same though I've never found it easy to play to my handicap at Arabella, while I comfortably do so at St Francis Links.

Stuart McLean

04 November 2023

My first visit to St Francis Links and it was in magnificent condition. The greens were recovering from hollow-tining in preparation for the summer season. For the first time they had been overseeded with bent grass. The course layout and design among the dunes is excellent, with a stunning variety of different holes. What's impressive about the design is that you play 6 holes downwind, 6 holes into wind and 6 holes crosswind in prevailing conditions. Even on a calm day the links is demanding with its large sloping greens. Course management is key, particularly with several risk-reward opportunities. I found the par-4 eighth a visually intimidating tee shot playing it for the first time, and this visual component applies to several other tee shots when not knowing the course. But the landing areas for tee shots are more generous than they look. The slope of the green on the par-3 17th will provide many with their best opportunity to have a hole-in-one.

Lihan van der Merwe

25 October 2023

I had not played St Francis Links for 15 years as its Eastern Cape location had been inconvenient for me. Returning after all that time I soon realised I had denied myself one of the finest golfing experiences in South Africa. The timing of my visit wasn't great primarily because of the gale force wind and intermittent rain that morning standing on the first tee. It didn't help that I was playing alone. However, this was one of the best days I have spent on a golf course (at least for the last 15 holes). Starting out, with the wind belting in from the north-west, the fairways looked inadequately narrow. I wondered if the 10 balls in the bag would be enough. As it turned out I only lost two, one of them on the first hole. The course was sublime, everything where it should be. Bunkers a bit wild though. The course was being prepared for the PGA Championship, so the greens were pacey, but not crazy. Slopes reasonable and fair. The environment of the St Francis Links estate was my kind of place. The houses don't interfere with the course. I can imagine how fun this can be on a calm day, but I particularly enjoyed having to contend with the elements at their worst. I will be returning much sooner next time.

Sabelo Ndabazandile

04 October 2023

It was pleasing to see the SA PGA Championship awarded to St Francis Links a few years back. Kudos to estate CEO Jeff Clause, a PGA Master Professional. The first two years it was played in November but this year it was a disservice to move it to September, a month when Eastern Cape weather can be at its wildest and the courses far from their best condition. The field was weaker, and to make matters worse the forecast so dire for Sunday that the final 36 holes had to be shoehorned into Saturday with two shotgun starts, possibly a first for the Sunshine Tour. The average score was 75 over four rounds, and the PGA's position on the calendar should be given more respect in future.

Thomas Souness

25 September 2023

St Francis Links is the top Jack Nicklaus design in South Africa. On my recent visit I found the greens the best they have ever been. The bunkers were consistent, fairways and tees in great condition. Many think this is a difficult course, but I disagree. The landing areas off the tees are wide and if you play the correct tees the course is very playable. The only defence the course has is the wind. There are so many excellent holes, my favorite being the much talked about par-3 17th. The service at the club is world class and the overall experience well worth a trip to the Eastern Cape.

Thinus Keller

04 May 2023

Great layout, great conditioning, great service, great hosting. And St Francis Links in 2023 will be hosting its first DP World Tour event from March 16-19, the SDC Championship, with four days of televised coverage. What a coup for the Eastern Cape.

Sandor Kovacs

27 December 2022

St Francis Links is a treat for golfers of all standings. The holes are well thought out within the natural dunes landscape to provide a true links feel and challenge. The manicuring is spectacular and the greens true and consistent. An amazing experience, from the welcome greeting, pro shop, halfway house, all the way to the 19th.

James Bredenkamp

01 December 2022

As one of South Africa’s premier courses, no one will be disappointed by the entire golf experience at St Francis Links. From the moment of arrival until the last refreshment it is top notch and equal to the best in the country. The friendliness of the staff is hard to beat. The course was outstanding for the recent PGA Championship. It was a stern test for the 135 players in the field, averaging 74.11, although at the weekend it was 71.23 for the 40 players who made the 36-hole cut. Kyle Barker had the lowest round, a 64 on Sunday, but on Saturday had shot 83! The par-4 ninth hole, playing into the wind, lived up to its billing as one of the most challenging in SA. There were only 26 birdies recorded in the four rounds, while on the other side of the scale there were 7 triples, and four scores worse than that.

Keith Simpson

28 November 2022

An Eastern Cape gem, the course is in excellent condition even though there's a water shortage in the region. This memorable course is set out every day taking into consideration the wind strength and direction, thus giving the golfer the most enjoyable experience. The layout is testing but fair and does present risk and reward options, always challenging one. The service and hospitality at St Francis Links is world-class thanks to their wonderful staff. A trip well worth making.

Warren Minster

03 November 2022

I well remember St Francis Links when it opened more than 15 years ago. Then, most golfers viewed playing there with trepidation. Tee times were easily obtainable. Since then this course and estate has experienced a 360 degree turnaround. It is now one of the most desirable local destinations, thanks to brilliant marketing and the gradual realisation among golfers that this is an extremely good value world-class venue in a beautiful environment. The Links was busy when I played on a Friday, firstly with a group of 56 from Richard Gill's Corporate Cup (who used to never venture outside the Garden Route), then with home owners for the weekly sundowner shotgun. Everyone wants to live on this estate because of its idyllic lifestyle. Houses are multiplying. Even the short cut path for walkers like myself through the bush from first green to second tee has been lost to property development. However, the houses don't impact the golfing experience. Set well back from the playing corridors, the architectural theme blends into the attractive general aesthetics. It is an estate where development and environment have found harmony together.

Stuart McLean

21 June 2022

Lovely to see how they allow the natural vegetation to be the champion. Great course design.

Pieter Odendaal

27 March 2022

Last Saturday our fourball played the links walking with push carts. What a great experience as you have more time to take in the exceptional views and amazing topography of a truly great layout in exceptional condition. There are numerous short cuts away from the golf cart paths. Good exercise and we played 18 comfortably in 4:20 including halfway. Walking enables you to get a better feel of each hole and appreciate the genius and foresight of carving a world class course out of a dune field.

Ashley Parker

05 February 2022

This is one of my 'Wow' courses in SA. The layout is challenging but rewarding to the shots each hole requires from all standards of golfer. Obviously the wind plays a significant factor in scoring and overall playability that will play mind games with you for 18 holes. A great design to witness and a wonderful experience not to be missed.

Neville Clarke

29 January 2022

With a hole-in one at the 17th on January 5 I became the first player to win the R100 000 up for grabs! The odds on having an ace here are better than anywhere else because the pin is nearly always in the back half of the green because of the severe downslope from front to back. With an elevated tee looking down on the green, most tee shots which find the right section of the green will funnel at speed towards the pin, and there have been well over a hundred aces here in the 15 years since the course opened. Every since the Hole-in-One Challenge was introduced here I have regularly wagered R100 on getting lucky. This time I hit a 9-iron from 184 metres and I was really chuffed when the ball disappeared. Mine was the first ace to take the maximum prize. St Francis Links is an awesome course in great nick the whole year through.

Sandor Kovacs

06 January 2022

St Francis Links offers an interesting variety of tee boxes, and on this visit I pegged up on the back "pro" tee on 18 for the first time. An easterly was blowing, so this formidable par 4 was playing in a favourable right-to-left crosswind. It's 405 metres from this tee, but it's at such a high elevation from the very top of a hill that my playing partners only needed 9-iron for their approach shots after taking the tiger line over the edge of the water hazard (I played more conservatively). Playing from this tee is a blast (one of several exciting tee shots on this course), but I'm told that Jack Nicklaus wasn't in favour of using it because he disliked the fact that the main road past the estate entrance is in plain view.

Stuart McLean

28 October 2021

Course looking immaculate from tee to green. On a quiet day it was an opportunity to walk rather than ride. It's an excellent and interesting walk, not what you would call tiring in the absence of wind, but it did take three of us nearly five hours to play 18 without a halfway stop. Admittedly we weren't in a hurry, taking our time. A pleasant surprise was playing the par-3 fourth, called Double Vision, to the seldom-used upper green, which made a rare change. Having two different greens on a hole is a clever innovation, rare to find. The only other course I know in South Africa with this feature is Metropolitan in Cape Town, but that's only because it is a 9-holer.

Stuart McLean

21 May 2021

If you haven't yet had a hole-in-one, then the 17th at the Links provides golfers with their best opportunity, as a good tee shot runs down a slope towards a pin at the back of the green. Many go close, a few lucky ones drop. Now it's part of the Hole in 1 Challenge where you can win as much as R100 000 for that perfect shot.

Thomas Souness

21 May 2021

St Francis Links provides an unbelievable golf experience from the time you drive through the entrance gate to when you leave after an unforgettable drink in the estate's iconic clubhouse. The course itself has become more player-friendly in recent years.

Ashley Parker

22 April 2021

This majestic course is an absolute ‘must play’ for anyone visiting the Eastern Cape. Always presented in excellent condition, the fairways are a joy to behold and the greens tricky enough to grab the attention of the most experienced player. Every hole has its own character and visual appeal. Unlike other estate courses the surrounding houses add to, rather than detract from, the Links’ natural beauty. The clubhouse is magnificent, the staff welcoming and professional, and the whole experience highly memorable. The Links thoroughly deserves its reputation and top ranking.

David Mack

09 April 2021

St Francis Links has so many different aspects to it, so many varied challenges, so many ways to play it. You have to contend with the wind, scary bunkers, coastal bush, elevation changes, undulating greens and water hazards. You can never get into a comfort zone, as you do with most conventional courses. These attributes all make this layout such a special golfing venue for South Africans at a green fee that's a fraction of what you would pay for a similar experience anywhere else in the world.

Thomas Souness

20 January 2021

Most visually appealing course, using the land well as it flows through the dunes and brings water into play. The front nine is more compelling than the back. This isn't to say the back nine isn't good, just slightly less memorable. It's a course golfers will appreciate more with each subsequent round.

Chris Wood

17 January 2021

Stunning course offers an enjoyable day's golf and an awesome allround experience. The staff are friendly, views amazing, and the quality from tee to green is world class.

Reece Whitfield

12 January 2021

St Francis Links provides a stern test of golf, particularly off the back tees. We played the course on a sublime Eastern Cape day, with little breeze. The presentation, setup and conditioning of the course was world class. The St Francis Links experience is something special: a tribute to the management team.

Jon James

12 October 2020

The Rolls Royce of golfing experiences in South Africa. Leadership from the top, committed and engaged staff, and a wonderfully presented course.

David Frost

10 September 2020

The best Jack Nicklaus course I have played. A great test, especially of the short game with undulating greens and true links bunkers ready to punish a poor approach. One of the few courses where you need to have a strategy for every shot.

Simpson

03 June 2020

My personal No 2 course in the country. Excellent facilities, welcoming staff and a course to back all the hype. Several blind shots but generous fairways and greens.

Sandor Kovacs

28 April 2020

I rate this the best layout I have experienced. Requires accuracy and thinking. Incredible greens provide a challenge and defence to the course.

Edan Allen

28 April 2020

At last I played the Links without the wind which made the experience more enjoyable. You still need accurate tee shots and great putting skill. Toughest pin placings in SA with a wide variety of options.

Leon Bevan

08 April 2020

To have fun at St Francis Links the trick is to choose the right tee box. Some of my most enjoyable rounds in the wind have been off the front tees, or playing the Par 3 course where you only hit approach shots into the greens. It gives you an entirely different perspective of a fabulous layout, and you learn to play a variety of shots.

Stuart McLean

23 February 2020

Always fun to play and in pristine condition. Every hole is distinct, many risk-and-reward holes and, with a choice of 4 tee boxes, it is accessible for all handicaps and conditions. They offer electric bicycles in addition to golf carts, which are great fun to whizz around this beautiful course.

Amy Laird

23 February 2020

St Francis Bay - Eastern Cape

Course Summary

Four tees / Par 72

Visitor green fee

Course designer

Contact

Previous rankings

Course Record

SA PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

Feature Holes

Accommodation

Practice Facility

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Club Champions

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