Royal Swazi Spa

Hier ook 5 jaar geleden gespeeld. Prachtig. Nu is de baan overgenomen door Chinezen. Wat ze met de baan gaan doen, wie zal het zeggen. Gelukkig kende de caddy master van Nkonyoni zijn collega aldaar en regelde voor ons een starttijd. We startten op hole 10. Daar was een competitie tussen een ZA team en en Swazi team. Ik schat vijftigers. WAT EEN ONVOORSTELBARE AFSTAND sloegen die mannen. Wij voelden ons erg nederig. Maar we genoten met volle teugen van deze fraaie uitdagende baan die gelukkig in goede conditie verkeerde. Als de baan open is, spelen!

De 3e keer nu dat we deze baan speelden (februari 2024). Het was even spannend omdat het hotel en alle andere activiteiten rond de baan zijn gesloten, maar de golfbaan was gelukkig open. En zoals in eerdere beschrijving aangegeven, deze golfbaan mag je niet missen als je in eSwatini (Swaziland) bent. De baan blijft een uitdaging en is prachtig, de greens super! Van terras gezelligheid of na dronk is er helaas op dit moment geen sprake.

What a story this is. Royal Swazi has historically been the jewel in Swaziland’s golfing world but sadly is in a precarious position. My dad had spoken fondly for many years about his experiences at Royal Swazi back in the 80’s & 90’s and I’d always been eager to visit. Having never been to Swaziland before I was amazed at the friendliness and hospitality of the Swazi people. As anyone who has recently tried to play Royal Swazi you’ll notice it’s almost impossible to get through to the club.

It is under a new name – Ezulwini Golf Course. The man to contact is Kingdom and his number is +268 7612 4794. He will sort you out, the friendliest and nicest guy! The course used to be part of Southern Sun but the hotel shut before Covid and the course has remained under separate financing, however, this can’t go on forever, someone needs to invest in this wonderful location.

It is still in very good condition all things considered, the fairways are well looked after and the greens are still great. They don’t have the finances to have several greenskeepers so some of the bunkers aren’t in top condition but you can look past that. It is a great design, a parkland course with views of the rolling hills of Swaziland in the background.

If you have never been to Swaziland before I would highly recommend going, the people are great, it is a safe environment and they have two wonderful courses in Royal Swazi and Nkonyeni and you can play both for less than a green fee in Europe.

On the way back to the western Cape drove via Swaziland and of course played a round at Royal Swazi Spa. Located in the Ezulwini valley the course is a good condition and the 1st and 2nd 9 are quite different, which is always nice for players. The maintenance is in good condition and the greens very nice. The reception staff was very friendly and helpful. The course can be walked with a trolley but depending on your own condition. The surroundings have very nice views and the 18th hole par 3 needs good attention and play as many members and guests watching you from the terrace and can give you some advice for playing next time.

The restaurant is a bit old but the staff is very nice. A recommended golf course when visiting Swaziland.

Prachtig verzorgde baan in eSwatini. Fairways met dik gras. Beter niet buiten de fairways spelen, is nml erg lastig. Greens met goede snelheid. Onze caddy Tommy was uitstekend. Wel vonden we het "lsstig" dat de caddy niet in/op de buggy mocht meerijden. gegeven onze snelheid liep hij 3 uur te ", rennen". Was een heuse "no go".