Oubaai Golf Club
On the cliffs above the Indian Ocean at Herolds Bay, Oubaai is Ernie Els's first signature course in his home country. Opened in 2005, this par 72 of about 6,446 yards is a links style test of wide ocean views, firm turf and the kind of coastal wind that can change the round in an afternoon.
Photo: Oubaai Golf Course via Google, by Gavin Reed.
The verdict
Oubaai carries a special place in South African golf as the first course Ernie Els designed in his home country. Els laid it out with Greg Letsche and it opened in 2005 at Herolds Bay, on the coast just outside George, taking its name from the Afrikaans for old bay. The setting is the draw: the course tumbles across cliffs and ridges above the Indian Ocean, and the sea is a presence on almost every hole.
It plays as a par 72 of about 6,446 yards in a links style that suits Els's preferences, with firm running turf, generous fairways and the wind as the main defense. On a still day it is a fair and thoroughly enjoyable resort round; when the coastal breeze gets up, the same holes demand flighted, controlled shots and a clear head. Add the ocean panoramas and the comfort of a full resort and estate around it, and Oubaai is one of the signature stops of a Garden Route golf trip.
Oubaai at a glance
- Opened
- 2005
- Designer
- Ernie Els
- Holes
- 18
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- About 6,446 yds
- Access
- Resort and visitors
Designer, year, par and length verified June 2026 from the club, Ernie Els Design and leading databases. Oubaai opened in 2005 as the first Ernie Els signature course in South Africa, designed with Greg Letsche, a par 72 of about 6,446 yards in a links style above the Indian Ocean at Herolds Bay. Green fees and resort rates vary by season, so always confirm current access and any fees directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
The ocean and the wind are the architects at Oubaai. Els routed the course along the clifftops and across the ridges that fall toward the sea, so the views are constant and the breeze is rarely far away. The fairways are wide and the turf runs firm in the links manner, which gives the player options: a low, chasing shot to use the ground, or a higher line that the wind can punish. Choosing well, hole by hole, is the heart of the round.
The most memorable holes are the ones that flirt with the cliff edge, where the Indian Ocean fills the backdrop and a confident swing is needed to ignore the drop. The greens are large and contoured, so approach play and distance control matter, and the bunkering is shaped to gather the cautious bailout. When the wind sleeps, birdies are there for the taking; when it blows, par is a fine score and the course shows its links teeth.
What sets Oubaai apart is the combination of a true Els design, a dramatic ocean setting and the comfort of a full resort estate. For a traveling golfer it is the round that supplies the wow factor on a Garden Route trip, a coastal links experience to set against the inland parkland of George and the cliff drama further along the coast.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Resort and estate course open to visiting golfers and resort guests |
| Green fee | Visitor and resort guest green fees apply; carts and clubs available to hire (indicative, 2026) |
| Booking | Reserve a tee time in advance through the club or your resort concierge |
| On the day | Clubhouse, pro shop and resort facilities; carts available; smart golf dress |
| Getting there | Herolds Bay, on the coast just outside George, minutes from George Airport |
| Best months | September to April, though the Garden Route plays year round; expect coastal wind |
Access and fees verified June 2026 from the club and resort where published; rates change, so always confirm current access and any fees directly before planning a visit.
Where to stay nearby
The natural base is the resort and estate at Oubaai itself, where the hotel and lodges sit on the cliffs minutes from the first tee with the ocean on the doorstep. For more choice, the town of George and the resort village of Wilderness are a short drive away, and George Airport makes the whole area one of the easiest golf hubs in the country to reach.
Oubaai anchors a brilliant Garden Route golf cluster. Pair it with the classic parkland of George Golf Club, the championship pedigree of Fancourt Links, and the cliff edge drama of Pinnacle Point for an unforgettable few days.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts on the Garden Route.
Build a Garden Route golf trip
We build Oubaai into a Garden Route golf holiday, pairing the round with the right base around George and Herolds Bay, the coast and the bigger resort courses, and arranging tee times, dining and transfers around your group. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Oubaai questions
Who designed Oubaai Golf Club?
Oubaai was designed by Ernie Els with Greg Letsche and opened in 2005. It was the first Ernie Els signature course built in South Africa, a links style layout above the Indian Ocean at Herolds Bay.
What is the par and length of Oubaai?
Oubaai is a par 72 measuring about 6,446 yards, a clifftop links style course with wide ocean views and exposure to the coastal wind that changes the test day to day.
Can visitors play Oubaai Golf Club?
Yes. Oubaai is a resort and estate course open to visiting golfers and resort guests. Book a tee time in advance, and always confirm current access and any fees directly before booking.
Where is Oubaai Golf Club?
Oubaai sits at Herolds Bay, on the coast just outside George on the Garden Route, a short drive from George Airport and the resort town of Wilderness.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, year, par and length verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.