Most golfers on the KZN North Coast head to Zimbali and stop there. Prince's Grant is 25 minutes further north on the N2 and consistently ranks alongside Zimbali as one of the top five coastal courses in the country. The two are comparable in layout and condition. Prince's Grant is quieter, less built-up, and set on four ridge lines above the Indian Ocean in a way that gives the back nine a character Zimbali does not have. It is worth the extra distance.
The course
Prince's Grant is a links and parkland layout designed by Peter Matkovich, opened in 1994 and reconstructed in November 2020. It plays to par 72 over 6,260 yards across rolling terrain: valleys, ridges and coastal bush with the ocean visible on much of the back nine.
The course ranks among the top 20 in South Africa and the top five coastal layouts in KwaZulu-Natal. The front nine plays more inland with water hazards; the back nine opens toward the ocean with the links character becoming more pronounced as the course rises toward the higher ground near the clubhouse.
The standout hole is the 15th: a par 5 that drops downhill toward the Indian Ocean. It is one of the most memorable par 5s on the North Coast, and the view from the green back up the hill is the kind of thing that makes golfers plan return visits. The 16th hole, called Paddyfield, sits on what was once rice fields planted by Babu Bodasing, one of the estate's early owners. The name has stayed for over a century.
Carts are available for hire and recommended. The terrain is hilly enough that walking the full 18 in KZN heat is a significant undertaking.
A brief history worth knowing
The land was originally granted to George Wilson Prince by Queen Victoria in October 1856: 3,354 acres in exchange for two pounds, five shillings and four pence sterling. It later passed to Babu Bodasing, an Indian cane cutter who built a substantial property portfolio across Natal. When the estate was developed into a golf course in the 1990s, the design team gave the course first priority over the housing. An unusual decision, and one that shows in the layout. The 15th hole sits on prime coastal real estate that most developers would have allocated to residential plots. Peter Matkovich took it for golf instead.
Green fees and visitor access
Prince's Grant is open to visitors on weekdays and weekends. Current green fees are R570 per person, with a golf cart at R420. Specials are available: R950 for two golfers with a cart on Monday and Tuesday, and R2,000 for four golfers with two carts on Thursdays. Overnight guests at the lodge receive a reduced rate.
Contact Prince's Grant directly to confirm tee time availability and current rates before making the trip.
The lodge and facilities
The 4-star Lodge at Prince's Grant has 15 rooms overlooking either the golf course or the Indian Ocean, accommodating a maximum of 30 guests. Mulligans Bar and the Bunkers à la carte restaurant are in the clubhouse. The estate also has a private beach, swimming pools, tennis and squash courts, and canoeing on a freshwater lagoon. Conference facilities accommodate up to 100 guests.
For golfers who want to be on-site, the lodge is the obvious choice. For those who want more space, self-catering houses within the estate are also available through the usual platforms.
Where to stay near Prince's Grant
Staying in Zinkwazi Beach is the alternative worth considering. Zinkwazi is approximately 25 minutes north of Prince's Grant on the N2. Close enough to make an early tee time without difficulty, with considerably more to offer between rounds.
The Zinkwazi Lagoon is eight kilometres of warm, calm water. The village has its own beach, forest trails, local restaurants and the Ski Boat Club. Self-catering houses in Zinkwazi sleep groups of 6 to 14, typically with private pools and braai facilities, at rates that compare well against the lodge.
Browse self-catering stays at Zinkwazi Beach for current availability. For a focused look at accommodation options nearest to Prince's Grant, where to stay near Prince's Grant Golf Estate covers the options. For the full picture on Zinkwazi as a base, things to do in Zinkwazi Beach covers what is available between rounds.
"Prince's Grant is the reason to come to this stretch of coast. Zinkwazi is the reason to stay for the week."
Getting there
From the N2 northbound, take the Stanger/Blythedale Beach exit. Turn left toward Stanger. At the first set of traffic lights, turn right. After 2km, turn right toward the Golf Estate. Follow the road for 5km to the course entrance.
From Zinkwazi, head south on the N2 toward Durban and follow the same exit. The drive takes approximately 25 minutes.