Durban Country Club

Papwa Sewgolum Golf Course, 256 New Germany Road, Reservoir Hills

Durban, KwaZulu-Natal 4091

South Africa

Overview

Durban Country Club, one of South Africa’s iconic courses, was rebuilt in 2023 by Golf Data after suffering extensive damage in the 2022 Durban floods, which coincided with the club’s centenary year. It was closed for months afterward, and a decision was taken to reconstruct all 18 greens as part of a major upgrade that also involved building a wide “Scottish-style” burn through several holes furthest from the clubhouse to prevent future flooding. The course re-opened in 2024. The property is on the Durban beachfront, 100 yards from the Indian Ocean, and is an old-fashioned out-and-back layout, designed by Laurie Waters and George Waterman. Much of the tropical vegetation within the course, which for many years had isolated each of the holes, has been removed to expose the dunes and create vistas between holes that had not been seen for decades. The par-5 14th was lengthened to accommodate a new green site. Bentgrass was planted on the greens for the first time. The first five holes at Durban Country Club, heading north from the clubhouse, are regarded as being among the best opening stretches in world golf. The round ends with two memorable holes, firstly the par-4 17th that rolls through two deep valleys, and the short par-4 18th with its green immediately in front of the clubhouse. Durban Country Club has hosted a record number of 18 South African Opens, the most recent in 2025.