Nkonyeni Golf Estate

Ten opzichte van juli 2016 en februari 2019, is de uitbreiding die we hebben gespeeld, een teleurstelling. De bijzonder fraaie, oude 18 holes bushveldbaan aan de Usuthu rivier in het Manzini district, Swaziland, blijft geweldig (zie mijn eerdere beschrijving). Nu echter (februari 2024), speelden we de 2e 9 van de oude 18 en de nieuwe 9 (uitbreiding). Deze laatste holes zijn (nog) niet zo imponerend als de oude, in kaal terrein gelegen en nog van geringe kwaliteit. Dit was een flinke domper.

Tja. Wat zal ik zeggen. 5 jaar geleden speelden we deze baan ook. Toen nog 18 holes. Ze hebben er nu een 9 holes z.g. linksbaan tegenaan geplakt. We speelden deze de tweede negen. De eerste 9 holes krijgen een hele dikke 8. De tweede een magere 6. Ga je daar spelen, vraag om de oude 18 te mogen spelen.

The Links course at Nkonyeni is a more recent development. It is a 9 hole loop in addition to the Bushveld 18 holes that were there before. Louis Oosthuizen was apparently the brains behind getting this new 9 built having seen a plot of land adjacent with a much different topography.

The bushveld course is as the name would suggest weaving through trees and bush for the 18 whereas the links course is much more open with more undulating fairways as you’d expect. It is a fun course to play, a nice change from the bushveld and they do it in such a way that you can mix and match a variety of holes from the original 18 to make different routings, I think they have 4 in total.

I think the design is quite good, however the par 3’s were a bit uneventful, pretty open plots of land with not much to them. The rest of the holes are pretty good, I would say the condition on this loop isn’t as good as the others on the fairways but the green complexes are very well looked after, some of the best I have played on.

If you’re staying at Nkonyeni or even just passing through, add this course to the diary. Nkonyeni is not that busy a place where the round will take too long and it’s worth the time, you’ll enjoy it.

Nkonyeni is a little jewel in the heart of Swaziland (eSwatini). It is a housing estate with 27 holes woven into it and the houses neatly concealed in the bush so as not to be much of a distraction from the course. We first played the Bushveld course, holes 1-18 and then the Links 9 on the second day which is holes 19-27. The Bushveld course is a beautifully designed course as the name would suggest with bush lining most fairways. There are very few holes where you can miss on other fairways so pack a few balls because anything errant will quite easily disappear.

On some of the holes we were treated to some local wildlife in the form of several variety of buck which is always a cool experience. The course was in great condition, the greens were lovely, some of the best we’d played on on our trip and the fairways were spot on as well. The tee boxes were surrounded by very cool rock formations which makes you appreciate the extra detail put into the course.

The 18th hole is one of my favourites to date. A par 3 finishing in front of this marvellous huge thatched roof clubhouse with an approach over a fast running river to a generously sized green, just a splendid finish to an excellent course.

They do have a driving range there where you can hit off the grass and some other practice facilities.

We ate at the clubhouse most evenings we stayed there and the food was great, grab yourself a Sibebe and sit and watch the river flow for the most relaxing evening. The hospitality and friendliness of the people of Swaziland grabbed our hearts.

If you haven’t been before definitely get yourself across the border, go play all 3 loops and Nkonyeni and also get yourself to Royal Swazi. They are incredibly good value for money and you won’t be disappointed.

Also the 2nd time we are in Swaziland and now playing Nkonyeni, which is a beautiful course.

Swaziland has only 2 courses but this one is well maintained and nice staff. Reception, marshall and restaurant staff is all very friendly and I understand that most people travel from Kruger Park back to other location but this is all very nice with beautiful views in the small country. The course is perfect maintained and greens also quite fast. it was a nice experience and if I ever come back to this area I will make sure to play this course again.