Zimbali Country Club
Tom Weiskopf routed Zimbali in 1998 through the subtropical hills and forest above Ballito, on the KwaZulu-Natal coast north of Durban. A par 72 of about 6,524 yards, it opens over rolling, breezy high ground before the closing holes drop into dense indigenous forest, the finest course on the north coast and a private estate jewel.
Photo: Zimbali Country Club via Google.
The verdict
Tom Weiskopf laid out Zimbali in 1998 on a spectacular parcel of the KwaZulu-Natal north coast, in the subtropical hills and coastal forest above Ballito. A par 72 of about 6,524 yards, it is consistently ranked the finest course in the province and inside the South African top 20, a beautifully maintained layout that earns its reputation.
The round has two clear acts. The opening eleven holes roll over higher, breezier ground with glimpses of the Indian Ocean, then holes twelve to eighteen plunge into dense indigenous forest, narrow, dramatic and alive with birdlife and the occasional monkey. It is not the longest course you will play, but the elevation, the forest corridors and the sea breeze make it a thinking test. Now a private estate club, it pairs perfectly with a luxury Zimbali resort stay.
Zimbali Country Club at a glance
- Opened
- 1998
- Designer
- Tom Weiskopf
- Type
- Coastal forest parkland
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- About 6,524 yds
- Green fee
- Members and guests
Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026 from Zimbali Country Club and leading course databases. It is a Tom Weiskopf design opened in 1998, a par 72 of about 6,524 yards from the championship tees. Zimbali became a private club in 2020; play is open to members and guests and to guests of the on estate resorts. Resort guest green fees are indicative around R780 for 2026, with a cart about R430. Always confirm access and current rates directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
Zimbali plays as a course of two halves. The first eleven holes run over open, rolling hills where the wind off the Indian Ocean is the main defence and the views stretch to the coast. It is golf that rewards a confident swing and good control of trajectory in the breeze, with generous corridors and bold green complexes.
From the twelfth the character changes completely as the course drops into the indigenous coastal forest. The fairways narrow between walls of subtropical bush, the holes turn intimate and dramatic, and accuracy matters far more than length. It is a memorable closing stretch, demanding precise lines off the tee and a steady nerve to the green.
At about 6,524 yards Zimbali never overpowers, but the elevation changes, forest corridors and sea breeze mean the card has to be earned. It is a genuinely beautiful, well conditioned course and a deserving number one for KwaZulu-Natal, best enjoyed as part of a north coast estate stay.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Private members club since 2020; play for members and guests, and for guests of Zimbali Lodge, The Capital Zimbali and estate rentals |
| Green fee | Resort guest fee about R780 for 18 holes, golf cart about R430 (indicative, 2026). Always confirm directly before booking |
| Booking | Arrange through the club or your Zimbali resort stay; book ahead in the South African summer high season |
| On the day | Carts available; the back nine runs through dense coastal forest where local knowledge helps |
| Getting there | Ballito, KwaZulu-Natal north coast, about 20 minutes from King Shaka International Airport and 40 minutes north of Durban |
| Best months | March to May and September to November for warm, dry coastal conditions |
Access and indicative green fees verified June 2026; Zimbali became private in 2020 and policies change, so always confirm access, eligibility and current rates directly before planning a visit, ideally through your Zimbali resort booking.
Where to stay nearby
The natural base is the Zimbali estate itself, home to Zimbali Lodge, The Capital Zimbali and a range of luxury short term rentals, all of which grant access to the course and put the beach, forest and clubhouse on the doorstep. Staying on the estate is the simplest route onto the course.
Ballito village just outside the gates adds more hotels, restaurants and the relaxed feel of the north coast, while Durban and its classic courses lie 40 minutes south. It is an ideal region to build a KwaZulu-Natal golf trip around, pairing Zimbali with Durban Country Club and the wider coast.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Zimbali Country Club.
Build a KwaZulu-Natal golf trip
We arrange access to Zimbali through an estate stay, pair it with Durban Country Club and the north coast, and book the lodging around your golf. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Zimbali Country Club questions
Who designed Zimbali Country Club and when did it open?
Zimbali was designed by Tom Weiskopf, the 1973 Open champion, and opened in 1998 on the KwaZulu-Natal north coast above Ballito, north of Durban.
What is the par and length of Zimbali?
Zimbali Country Club is a par 72 of about 6,524 yards from the championship tees, with the front eleven holes over rolling hills and the closing stretch through indigenous coastal forest.
Can visitors play Zimbali?
Zimbali became a private club in 2020. Play is open to members and their guests, and to guests staying at Zimbali Lodge, The Capital Zimbali or short term rental properties on the estate. Resort guest green fees are indicative around R780 in 2026.
Where is Zimbali and how do you get there?
Zimbali sits above Ballito on the KwaZulu-Natal north coast, about 20 minutes from King Shaka International Airport and 40 minutes north of Durban.
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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.