Royal Durban Golf Club

Mitchell Crescent, Greyville,

Durban, KwaZulu-Natal 4023

  • Office

    +27 (0)31 309 1373
  • Pro shop

    +27 (0)31 309 2581
  • Fax

    +27 (0)31 309 2211
  • Golf pro

    Garth Pearson

About the course

  • The Course:

    18 holes. Tree-lined & open parkland. Relatively flat terrain.

  • Surroundings:

    City Racetrack

  • Designer:

    Original design by Innes Proudfoot & John Watt (1892). Modified by Robert Grimsdell (1935).

Back
tees
Club
tees
Front
tees
Metres
6129
5915
5139
Par
73
73
73
SSS or slope
72
71
71

Location

Latitude:

-29.840113

Longitude:

31.016529

How to get there:

1 km N of Durban (centre)

Located within the Greyville race track. From centre of Durban head north on Field Road, then into Albert Road and then right into Mitchell Crescent. Golf is on your left.

Royal Durban Golf Club

3-star: Good course – an enjoyable test for your game.

Est. 1892

Royal Durban Golf Club: Less than a kilometre from the city centre, Royal Durban presents a good golfing challenge within the confines of the Greyville race course. Many fine holes are laid out "inside the rails" of the horse racing circuit, on terrain that is generally quite flat and open.

The two nine-hole loops start and finish at the clubhouse; included within them is a large storm water drain that runs through the centre of the course, separating some holes, needing to be crossed at others. A few small, greenside ponds also add to the occasional water hazards, requiring a careful approach shot to be made on some holes.

Although the somewhat featureless first impression of the course may suggest otherwise, there is in fact plenty here to give your game a thorough workout, especially with good bunkering around the greens, the out-of-bounds of the racetrack sometimes a threat from the tee, and the frequent possibility that wind will also be a factor.

The Durban skyline provides a regular backdrop to proceedings, while the racecourse grandstands feature at times on the other side of the rails, even though they may not be packed with spectators to applaud your pars and birdies. Royal Durban's excellent golf clubhouse, on the south-east corner of the course, provides a welcoming nineteenth hole and halfway house.

List of courses: KwaZulu-Natal

Visitors

Who can play and when?

Visitors welcome on weekdays and weekends.

Must book in advance. Handicap required

Green fees

Contact club for green fee details.

Other information

Golf carts available for hire (if pre-booked).

Practice facilities

Good

Did you know?

In 1892 the local Bank of Africa manager, John Watt, discussed with W. Innes Proudfoot the possibility of golf in Durban. On June 13, 1892 they convened a meeting that established the Durban Golf Club. The Town Council granted permission for laying out a golf links within the bounds of the Durban horse racing track. A wood and iron shanty-style clubhouse was erected and the illustrious history of Royal Durban took off.

The club's motto is "Ludus Palma Potior," meaning "the game supersedes the man".

Royal Durban is one of four golf clubs in South Africa honoured by exercise of the Sovereign's royal prerogative. The Royal titles were conferred on Royal Cape (1910), Royal Port Alfred (1924), Royal Johannesburg (1931) and Royal Durban (1932) by King George V.

Where2Stay

  • Hilton Durban4-star

    12–14 Walnut Road, Durban 4001

    +27 (0)31 336 8100

    Visit website

    The Hilton Durban hotel is located right next to the International Convention Centre, and provides the opportunity to swim in the outdoor pool, de-stress in the spa or laze on the beaches half a mile away. A modern, comfortable and surprisingly quiet hotel in the city centre.

    • Golf at this hotel:

      No

    • Golf within 10 km:

      Royal Durban; Durban CC; Durban CC (Beachwood course).

    • Golf within 30 km:

      Cotswold Downs; Mount Edgecombe I & II.

  • Southern Sun Elangeni

    63 Snell Parade, Durban 4001

    +27 (0)31 362 1300

    Visit website

    Southern Sun Elangeni, one of Durban's premier hotels, is situated on Durban's North Beach with views of Durban's Golden Mile and the warm Indian Ocean. All 449 air-conditioned rooms are well furnished and offer every amenity. There are also family rooms, executive rooms and a Presidential Suite which offers unsurpassed luxury. The hotel has three superb cosmopolitan restaurants.

    • Golf at this hotel:

      No

    • Golf within 10 km:

      Royal Durban; Durban CC; Durban CC (Beachwood course).

    • Golf within 30 km:

      Cotswold Downs; Mount Edgecombe I & II.

Find a course

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Tournaments

124th US Open: the No.2 Course at Pinehurst once again plays host to this most illustrious championship (June 13-16). Wyndham Clark defends his title, having won at Los Angeles CC in 2023.

79th Women’s US Open: the second women’s major championship of the season gets underway at Lancaster CC in Pennsylvania. It’s the second time the championship has been held here.
(May 30-June 2).

Who's Who

Nelly Korda: won the Mizuho Americas Open (May 16-19) at Liberty National GC, continuing her extraordinary form in LPGA events. This was her sixth win in seven starts in 2024.

Xander Schauffele: recorded his first major championship win, and second record-equalling low score of 62 in a major. Only he, Branden Grace, Rickie Fowler and Shane Lowry have achieved this feat in a men’s major championship.

Marco Simone Golf & Country Club

Marco Simone Golf & Country Club: With a clubhouse that might befit a Roman Emperor, and a golf course to match, you can be sure of a memorable outing at Rome's most talked about golf facility.

Jim Fazio's original layout was much changed to create a modern Ryder Cup course ... now one of the Eternal City's (and Italy's) most revered.

Prince's Golf Club, Kent (UK)

Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.

Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available

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