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St Francis Links

St Francis Bay, South Africa

Situated on the southern coast of South Africa, St Francis Links golf course is an excellent stop on your golf vacation. Offering luxurious self-catering accommodation suitable for both small and large groups, dining options, and plenty of nearby activities, this South Africa golf course delivers a great experience.

The 9-hole course originally opened in 1975, but it wasn’t until the Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course was built in 2007 that this resort really took off. In addition to the main St Francis Links golf course, guests can enjoy a top-of-the-line driving range, personalized instruction, and a short Par 3 course. 

The Signature course at St Francis Links Golf Club has been a consistent fixture in the country’s top ten courses since it opened and is a firm favorite of both professional and amateur golfers visiting South Africa. Combining traditional golf with modern facilities, players here can look forward to a challenging course in a stunning setting and exceptional service.

Although it’s not a ‘true’ links course, the layout exhibits many links golf traits as the fairways traverse rugged sandy turf while also featuring strands of trees and water hazards.

Course Details

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Top 5 rated course in South Africa
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Championship Golf Course
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Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course
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Best time to play November – March
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Ideal Location for a South Africa Golf Tour

Course Facilities and St Francis Bay

Before St Francis Bay was known for world-class golf it achieved global recognition in the 1960s classic movie “The Endless Summer”, when Bruce Brown discovered his ‘perfect’ wave here.

Known as much for its hospitality and personal customer service as the challenging routing. The managing team of four PGA Professionals is led by Professional of the Year and Master Professional Jeff ‘Santa’ Clause, a passionate South African.

The facility features comfy self-catering accommodations as well as a luxury guesthouse to stay right on property.

Their Lighthouse Restaurant and Jack’s Bar are popular with the locals for their excellent cuisine and lively atmosphere. Another local and visitor favorite is the treatments at Bard’au & Co. MediSpa.

Away from the course, there are a variety of activities. The pristine beach will provide hours of entertainment as it stretches from Seal Point to Shark Point with the protected swimming area of Johnson’s Pool. There is the charming Port of St Francis with its shops featuring local goods and a variety of dining establishments. Visit the 475m St Francis Lighthouse, a National Monument standing sentinel for passing ships. Take a boat trip along the coast and don’t forget to surf the perfect wave from Cape St Francis to Jeffrey’s Bay.

What elevates St Francis Links Golf Club above other

St Francis Links lies on the rugged dunes in St. Francis Bay near South Africa’s famous Garden Route. The course was designed by Jack Nicklaus and officially opened in 2006, and it’s particularly special because it’s one of the few natural links-style layouts built in South Africa over the past few decades. The entire course measures around 7200 yards and features pristine sandy terrain that fully incorporates all the natural scenery into the design.

St Francis was voted as South Africa’s best new course in 2007 and has featured in the top 5 South African courses ever since. One particularly unique element is that the bunkering in most cases is not man-made, but shaped by nature instead. The golf course and club have many amenities to offer, including on-site accommodation, clubhouse dining, a spa, and magnificent coastal views.

St Francis Links

The Course at St Francis Links Golf Club

St Francis Links features a single 18-hole par 72 course and is around 7200 yards in length. Jack Nicklaus designed the layout to make the most of the natural dunes instead of relying on man-made bunkering, which leads to it being one of the more unique golfing experiences in South Africa (Nicklaus himself stated that this might be the best course he has ever seen). St Francis offers multiple tee boxes for each hole to make it more accessible across different skill levels, and guarantees a rewarding experience regardless of your personal skill level. 

The course has several notable holes, the 3rd par 5 best showcases the course’s reliance on the natural terrain, as it hugs the dunes while also offering a strategic green that’s set on a stunning background (giving it a look as though it was just placed there, instead of designed). The 8th and 9th par 4 holes are considered to be quite challenging mid-point tests, as the 8th calls for calculator and restraint, whereas the 9th demands power and precision.

Interesting Facts About St Francis Links Golf Course

Location

st francis links
Fancourt South Africa

South Africa Golf Safari

Immerse yourself in the Rainbow nation, and discover the best of South Africa on this luxury 12-night tour.

Golfers will play the best courses in the country, including Pearl ValleyLeopard Creek, and Fancourt.

Sample some of the world’s finest wines, and enjoy game drives in the Kruger National Park.

“St Francis Links is easily one of the top 5 courses in South Africa and the Master PGA Professional is Jeff who is originally from here in Austin, TX. Our Premier Golf clients always get a warm welcome from Jeff, and the location overlooking Jeffreys Bay is just gorgeous. This is one of my favorite Nicklaus courses anywhere.”
Tips from our expert, Bill Hogan

St Francis Links Gallery

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St Francis Links FAQs

St. Francis Links is located in St. Francis Bay, along South Africa’s picturesque Eastern Cape coast.

Yes, golf carts are available to help navigate the undulating terrain of this links-style course.

St. Francis Links is home to one highly regarded 18-hole championship course, designed by Jack Nicklaus.

The par-3 8th hole is considered more manageable, with a shorter distance and fewer hazards.

The best months to visit are from September to April, offering mild weather and optimal playing conditions.

St. Francis Links offers a true links-style experience, with coastal winds, rolling fairways, and a rugged natural landscape.

St. Francis Links is home to one highly regarded 18-hole championship course, designed by Jack Nicklaus.