Umhlali

Played on a windy day. Playing the par-3 18th from its elevated tee (160 white) with a strong left to right wind, and par-3 fourth (159 white) into the wind, was incredibly tough. I've played Umhlali countless times and enjoy its challenges. However, for a course typically well maintained, the greens were shocking. Large sandy patches on many. The rest of the course was in fine condition given it was winter and the grass dormant and dry. The clubhouse was a letdown as upgrades are taking place. There isn't a bar or restaurant area where one can sit. Don't like the upgrade to halfway house as the room echoes and is not a peaceful place. However, none of this detracts from the course itself.

Jean-Luc Regaud

20 July 2024

Despite an uphill, blind tee-shot being required on the opening dogleg par 4 hole, this course is enjoyable to play and has several memorable holes. My favourite on the front nine is No 8, a fairly short 4 (340 off white) but one requiring an accurate approach to a peninsula green. On the back nine the driveable 14th (275) is challenging as the green is surrounded by bunkers, trees and bush.

Trevor King

03 July 2024

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Disappointed in overall poor condition of course. Greens had large patches of sand and fairways full of molehills.

Starling

22 June 2024

A good course where accuracy is more important than length. The most memorable hole is the downhill par 3 fourth (181 yellow, 159 white) which requires an accurate tee shot over water to a wide yet shallow green. It's stroke 4 on the card, unusual for a par 3.

Jaco Ackermann

20 June 2024

I played soon after Christmas following heavy rain. Many fairways were soaked, with some resembling muddy marshes in places. The conditions made the course play much longer than usual. It would be wise for Umhlali to try and rectify their drainage issues as this is a persistent problem during wet summers. In terms of design, this is a course I appreciate more every time I play it. There are some beautifully shaped greens and greens complexes.

Jean-Luc Regaud

05 January 2024

Greens are fast which is good, but at the same time they are firm. They don’t bite. The general appearance of the clubhouse and course is excellent. Love playing there. Fairways rate 3/5 only due to the prevailing dry conditions. Once the rains arrive they will be 5/5.

Clive van der Spuy

12 September 2023

Friendly club with a welcoming atmosphere. Enjoyable course with several interesting holes. Some are narrow and tight, especially as you approach the green. Many holes are flanked by colourful trees and shrubs which add to the attractive aesthetics. In fairly good condition given the heavy traffic at Umhlali.

Amy Laird

20 August 2023

Umhlali is a delight to play with many interesting holes, flanked by spectacular flowering trees. The club has a welcoming atmosphere.

Tara Swart

14 August 2023

Umhlali need to redo the bunkers. With bunkers protecting many of the greens the condition of these bunkers should allow the average player an opportunity to get out first time. This is not the case.

Zack

25 June 2023

Umhlali is busy being the only one of the three courses in Ballito open to the public. As a result several tees are under stress, especially those where irons are used. Greens and fairways in great condition considering the traffic.

Eben-Paul Zietsman

23 June 2023

The course for mid-winter is in acceptable condition. Greens quick and firm. The halfway house grab & go doesn't work. Taking food on the course leads to monkeys grabbing it from your cart. The locker room air-conditioning is cold. Pace of play during club champs was unacceptable. We waited an hour to tee off on the par-3 fourth over the dam.

Craig Dennis

22 June 2023

I first played Umhlali in 2018 and instantly fell in love with the course. Something about it talked to me. Every time I return to the KZN North Coast I'm keen on a round here.

Herman Groenewald

22 June 2023

Greens good all year round. A course that will test any golfer. Some beautiful holes. Warm and friendly club.

Robert Dempsey

21 June 2023

Umhlali greenkeeper Robin Naicker will have served Umhlali for 40 years in April, and he has taken this North Coast course to a high level of conditioning. I haven't seen pure paspalum greens as good as these in terms of texture and consistent pace. Many clubs are interseeding bent or poa with paspalum, yet the super dwarf paspalum at Umhlali does fine on its own. Robin sticks to what he's learnt over the years. "Not too much fertiliser and one hollow-tining treatment a year." The greens don't have to be quick because Peter Matkovich designed enough subtle slopes to make putting tricky. Robin remembers the front nine at Umhlali being full of pines and bluegums when he started. Virtually all have gone and been replaced by indigenous trees. If you like your trees, the back nine is crammed with the most beautiful mature species common to the east coast; Flat-crowns, Umdonis, Natal Mahogany and more. Cool and shady in the heat of summer.

Stuart McLean

20 March 2023

Alway a warm welcome on so many levels. I’ve been a member for 11 years. Good course but an even better atmosphere. Relaxed, yet a proper country club.

Graham Dempsey

16 March 2023

An ever-improving course (fairways need some work) with great facilities.

Bernard Dalton

05 March 2023

Course is much improved, although bunkers are inconsistent and need attention. A great club to relax and enjoy a meal and drinks after a round.

Keith Hales

26 February 2023

Recently joined Umhlali CC. It's a fair and challenging course in immaculate condition.

Janeen Ferguson

26 February 2023

Umhlali need extensive input from members to find out where the course can be improved.

Steve Stoop

24 February 2023

Umhlali is a great social club, however management should interact more with members. I believe the course has the potential to be in the Top 50 in rankings. The revenue the club receives should enable Umhlali to make further improvements.

David Glazebrook

24 February 2023

Course in generally good condition, fairways could do with more water, greens slow. Bunkers not maintained by players. Facilities good, staff welcoming and helpful.

David Smith

24 February 2023

Overall condition very good, but bunkers inconsistent.

Brian McKerchar

24 February 2023

Challenging course due to the many trees lining the fairways. I particularly love the long downhill par-3 fourth over the water hazard. There's a great mix of people from all over the country playing the course regularly. After the April floods Umhlali was the only immediately playable course on the KZN coastline.

Mark Brierley

01 July 2022

The course has taken strain after the rainfall deluge of April and May. Fairways are currently cut too short given the poor soil. Ditto the tee boxes. Bunkers are not being raked correctly.

Rob Scott

24 June 2022

Excellent and attractive course. Beautiful in the early morning when the rising sun filters through the trees. The layout is forgiving with adjacent fairways allowing wayward balls to be found. But a challenge to shoot low if you are off line.

Haroun Mahomed

13 June 2022

Umhlali in the last decade has transformed itself from a smallish club to one of the biggest in the country in terms of membership and stature. It reminds me more than ever of George GC in the Garden Route, and there's much in common too between Ballito and George, two of the fastest-growing towns in the country. Umhlali, like George, is popular with golfers and a highly efficient and enjoyable experience on a scenically attractive, flowing and challenging course of about 6000 metres that's all about shot-making rather than big drives. Tree-lined holes put an emphasis on finding the fairway. Both are also superbly conditioned. Umhlali consistently offers some of the best greens of the KZN coastal courses in terms of pace and texture. George would love to have Umhlali's impressive practice facilities. An excellent touch I noticed on my visit were the practice putting greens at both the first and tenth starting holes. Another observation: the tee box on the par-3 sixth is surely among the biggest in the country, 25 metres wide and as long again.

Stuart McLean

01 June 2022

Best course on the KZN North Coast and that includes Durban Country Club before it was sadly flooded. Great selection of holes at Umhlali. No two are the same. Excellent risk and reward opportunities and greens fast and true.

Peter Bendall

26 May 2022

A peaceful, challenging, well-maintained course out of the hustle and bustle of city traffic. It’s more difficult than one thinks, with four challenging par 3s. The rough is forgiving and you will usually find your ball, but it will likely cost you a dropped shot. The atmosphere in the clubhouse is friendly and festive.

Keith Hales

24 May 2022

After the severe rains that devastated KZN and damaged many courses, Umhlali drained very well and was playable again within two days. It is improving weekly, ever green, very challenging, well run and manicured. The newly renovated change rooms are superb.

Dean Hammerich

23 May 2022

Course generally in good condition, although bunkers are poor and inconsistent. Greens between good and excellent. Fairways between tolerable and good.

Gary Birnie

07 May 2022

I enjoyed the brilliant variety of golf holes at Umhlali, and also the beauty of the back nine built among groves of attractive trees that closely frame each of the holes and punish wayward drives. The course is unusual in having a steep slope right in the middle where the land falls away down a hill. This provides a terrific downhill long par 3 (the fourth) to a shallow green fronted by a water hazard. Each of the short holes presented quite small targets. Another downhiller is the par-5 tenth, one of my favourite holes in terms of the way it has been shaped. On the back nine the closing holes 16 and 17 play across the slope, so keeping your tee shot on the fairway requires both skill and luck of the bounce. Two superb short par 4s on this nine are Nos 14 and 16, where Peter Matkovich has been creative in his green design.

Dieter ten Haag

04 January 2022

An aesthetically pleasing layout on which the average golfer has a good chance to play to his handicap. That said, the course must not be underestimated as off-line tee shots can lead to trouble, the fairways not being as wide as most modern layouts. The only negative is the housing development between the 17th green and 18th tee that spoils the natural flow of play.

Jaco Ackermann

21 December 2020

This is an interesting, fun and quirky course, with a strange hole to start, a sharp dogleg left par 4 requiring a lay-up with an iron off the tee. There are a few other unusual risk-reward holes. Umhlali, a friendly club, has beautiful tropical vegetation, decent greens and some challenging shots.

Ivan Palframan

20 February 2020

Ballito, KZN North Coast - KwaZulu-Natal

Course Summary

Four tees / Par 71

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Feature Holes

SUNSHINE TOUR

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