St Francis Links
Jack Nicklaus routed St Francis Links through the dunes above St Francis Bay and opened it in 2006. A par 72 of about 7,200 yards on the wild Eastern Cape coast, it plays as a true links when the wind blows and has sat among South Africa's finest since it opened.
Photo: St Francis Links via Google.
The verdict
Jack Nicklaus walked the dunes above St Francis Bay and built something rare for South Africa, a genuine links laid over rolling sandhills with the Indian Ocean as a backdrop. Opened in 2006, St Francis Links was conceived as the country's answer to the great Irish and Scottish links, and it has held a place among South Africa's top ten courses almost from the day it opened.
What sets it apart is the wind and the ground game. The fairways tumble through marram covered dunes, the greens are firm and receptive only on the correct line, and on a breezy Eastern Cape afternoon the course bares its teeth. Pair it with the Garden Route and the nearby coast and you have one of the most complete golf escapes in the country.
St Francis Links at a glance
- Opened
- 2006
- Designer
- Jack Nicklaus
- Type
- Dune links
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- About 7,200 yds
- Green fee
- From about R1,200
Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026 from St Francis Links and leading course databases. Jack Nicklaus designed the course and it opened in 2006, a par 72 of about 7,200 yards through the dunes. The indicative visitor green fee from about R1,200 reflects 2026 rates and changes by season; always confirm directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
St Francis Links is a course that asks you to think about the wind before every shot. Nicklaus used the natural movement of the dunes to frame wide but deceptive fairways, where the right side opens the angle into greens that repel a tired approach. The bunkering is classic links, revetted and punishing, set to catch the ball that drifts on the breeze.
The par 3s are a highlight, exposed to the prevailing wind and demanding a controlled, flighted ball rather than a high target shot. The longer par 4s reward the player who keeps the ball low and uses the firm turf to run it forward, while the par 5s tempt the brave with reachable second shots when the wind is helping.
It is the closing stretch, swinging back toward the clubhouse through the highest dunes, that lingers in the memory. The ground runs fast, the greens demand precise pace, and the ocean light over the Eastern Cape makes the walk in feel like the great links of the British Isles transplanted to the southern tip of Africa.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Visitors welcome; book tee times through the golf shop or the on site golf lodge |
| Green fee | Indicative visitor rate from about R1,200 for 18 holes (2026); confirm current rates directly |
| Booking | Reserve ahead in the December to January peak and over South African school holidays |
| On the day | Carts and caddies are available; come prepared for wind and bring extra balls |
| Getting there | About an hour from Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) airport, on the coast near Jeffreys Bay |
| Best months | September to April for the warm coastal season, though the wind can blow in any month |
Access and fee details verified June 2026; rates and policies change, so always confirm directly with the golf shop or your trip planner before booking.
Where to stay nearby
Many visiting golfers stay at the St Francis Links golf lodge or in one of the canal side homes of St Francis Bay, a quiet seaside village that pairs well with a few days of links golf and coastal walking. The setting is relaxed and the beaches are among the best in the Eastern Cape.
St Francis Links also makes a natural anchor for a wider Garden Route trip, within reach of the famous surf at Jeffreys Bay and an easy drive from the courses around Port Elizabeth. It is an ideal place to build a multi course Eastern Cape itinerary around.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near St Francis Links.
Build an Eastern Cape golf trip
We arrange the St Francis Links tee times, pair them with the best of the Garden Route and Eastern Cape coast and book the lodging around them. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
St Francis Links questions
Who designed St Francis Links and when did it open?
St Francis Links was designed by Jack Nicklaus and opened in 2006, laid out through the coastal dunes above St Francis Bay in the Eastern Cape.
What is the par and length of St Francis Links?
St Francis Links is a par 72 of about 7,200 yards, playing as a true links over rolling dunes that exposes every shot to the coastal wind.
Can visitors play St Francis Links?
Yes. St Francis Links welcomes visitors, with tee times booked through the golf shop or the on site golf lodge. Reserve well ahead over the December and January peak.
How much is a round at St Francis Links?
The indicative visitor green fee is from about R1,200 for 18 holes in 2026. Rates change by season, so always confirm directly before booking.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.