#2 in SA
Humewood Golf Club
Port Elizabeth
Par 72 6656 yards
Port Elizabeth Golf Guide
Golf Courses in Port Elizabeth
Experience authentic links golf on South Africa's Eastern Cape coast. Port Elizabeth is home to Humewood Golf Club—one of Africa's finest links courses—and several other excellent coastal layouts. Play golf with ocean views, firm fairways, and strategic wind challenges. Year-round mild weather and affordable green fees make PE an excellent golf destination.
5-6
Courses
Links Golf
Coastal
Year-Round
Mild Weather
R600-R1,500
Green Fees
Golf in Port Elizabeth – What Makes It Unique
Port Elizabeth (officially Gqeberha) offers some of South Africa's finest coastal golf, headlined by Humewood Golf Club—consistently ranked among Africa's top 10 courses. The city's location on the Eastern Cape coast creates ideal links conditions: firm, fast fairways, strategic bunkering, and consistent ocean breezes that demand course management and shot-making. This is authentic links golf in a South African setting.
The defining characteristic of Port Elizabeth golf is wind. Known as the 'Windy City,' coastal courses experience consistent breezes (15-25 km/h) that add strategic complexity. Unlike Cape Town's extreme Cape Doctor, PE's wind is more manageable but still requires thoughtful club selection and shot shaping. The climate is temperate year-round (15-25°C), making golf comfortable in any season.
What sets Port Elizabeth apart is the combination of quality and value. Humewood offers world-class links golf at a fraction of international links prices. The city's courses are less crowded than Cape Town or Johannesburg, booking is easier, and the pace of play is relaxed. PE also serves as a gateway to the Garden Route and Addo Elephant National Park, making it perfect for combining golf with safari or beach activities.
Best Golf Courses in Port Elizabeth
Top 10 in Africa
Humewood Golf Club
One of Africa's finest links courses. Colonel S.V. Hotchkin design with classic links characteristics—firm fairways, strategic bunkering, ocean views. Consistently ranked in Africa's top 10. A must-play for serious golfers. Demands precision and course management.
- • Type: Championship Links
- • Difficulty: Advanced
- • Access: Visitors welcome
- • Green Fees: R1,200 - R1,500
Coastal Links
St Francis Links
Modern links course 90 minutes from PE. Jack Nicklaus design with dramatic dunes and ocean views. Hosted professional tournaments. Challenging layout with strategic bunkering. Perfect for experienced players seeking championship links experience.
- • Type: Modern Links
- • Difficulty: Advanced
- • Access: Public (booking required)
- • Green Fees: R1,200 - R1,800
Kingswood Golf Estate
Excellent estate course with good value. Well-maintained parkland layout with water features. More sheltered than coastal courses—less wind. Popular with locals and visitors. Great for mid-handicappers seeking quality golf without links challenges.
- • Type: Estate Parkland
- • Difficulty: Intermediate
- • Access: Public
- • Green Fees: R700 - R1,000
Wedgewood Golf Estate
Affordable estate course with forgiving layout. Wide fairways and generous greens make it beginner-friendly. Good conditioning and friendly atmosphere. Perfect for high handicappers and casual golfers. Best value in Port Elizabeth.
- • Type: Estate Parkland
- • Difficulty: Beginner-Intermediate
- • Access: Public
- • Green Fees: R600 - R850
Best Golf Courses in Port Elizabeth by Player Type
For Beginners & Mid-Handicappers
Wedgewood Golf Estate
Most beginner-friendly course. Wide fairways, minimal hazards. Best value at R600-R850.
Kingswood Golf Estate
Forgiving parkland with less wind than coastal courses. Good for building confidence. R700-R1,000.
For Low Handicappers
Humewood Golf Club
Championship links ranked in Africa's top 10. Demands precision, course management, and wind play.
St Francis Links
Jack Nicklaus design with dramatic dunes. Championship test for experienced players comfortable in wind.
Best Links Experience
Humewood Golf Club
Authentic links with firm fairways, strategic bunkering, and ocean views. Classic links characteristics.
St Francis Links
Modern links with dramatic dunes and coastal setting. More dramatic than Humewood but similar challenges.
Best Value Courses
Wedgewood Golf Estate
Best value in PE at R600-R850. Good conditioning and friendly atmosphere. Perfect for casual rounds.
Kingswood Golf Estate
Championship quality for R700-R1,000. Excellent value for estate golf with good facilities.
Comparing Golf Courses in Port Elizabeth
| Course | Difficulty | Scenery | Wind | Value | Green Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Humewood | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | R1,200-R1,500 |
| St Francis Links | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | R1,200-R1,800 |
| Kingswood | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | R700-R1,000 |
| Wedgewood | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | R600-R850 |
Local Tips for Playing Golf in Port Elizabeth
Wind Strategy
PE is the 'Windy City'—expect 15-25 km/h breezes on coastal courses. Morning rounds are calmer. Take extra club into the wind, less downwind. Low punch shots work better than high trajectories. Embrace the challenge—it's part of links golf.
Best Time to Visit
Year-round destination with mild temperatures (15-25°C). Autumn and spring (Mar-May, Sep-Nov) offer ideal conditions with less wind. Summer (Dec-Feb) is warmest but windiest. Winter (Jun-Aug) is mild with lower green fees and fewer crowds.
Getting There & Around
Fly to Port Elizabeth Airport (1.5 hours from Cape Town/Johannesburg). Car rental essential—courses spread across city. Uber/Bolt available but limited. Most courses 15-30 minutes from city center. St Francis Links is 90 minutes away.
Combining Activities
Combine golf with Addo Elephant National Park (1 hour), beaches, surfing, or Garden Route road trip. Many golfers play PE then drive to George (3 hours) for Fancourt and Pinnacle Point. Perfect for golf + safari combos.
Booking Strategy
Humewood books up quickly—reserve 1-2 weeks ahead. Other courses have good availability. Morning tee times recommended for calmer wind. Weekdays are quieter and often cheaper. Multi-round packages available at some courses.
Money-Saving Tips
• Play Wedgewood or Kingswood for best value (R600-R1,000)
• PE green fees 20-30% lower than Cape Town
• Winter rates are discounted
• Less crowded = easier booking, more availability
• Combine with Garden Route for multi-course trip
All Port Elizabeth Golf Courses
Golf Courses Near Port Elizabeth
George & Garden Route
3 hours west. Fancourt, Pinnacle Point. Championship golf hub. Perfect for multi-course road trip.
View Courses →Eastern Cape Game Reserves
1-2 hours. Addo area courses. Combine golf with safari at malaria-free reserves.
View Courses →Cape Town
8 hours west or 1.5 hour flight. Royal Cape, Steenberg, Atlantic Beach. Combine coastal cities.
View Courses →Frequently Asked Questions
How many golf courses are there in Port Elizabeth?
Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) has 5-6 golf courses within a 30-minute drive, including the famous Humewood Golf Club, Kingswood Golf Estate, St Francis Links, and Wedgewood Golf Estate. The city offers excellent coastal golf with ocean views and links-style conditions.
What is the best golf course in Port Elizabeth?
Humewood Golf Club is widely considered the best course in Port Elizabeth and one of South Africa's finest links courses. Designed by Colonel S.V. Hotchkin, it features classic links characteristics with ocean views, firm fairways, and strategic bunkering. It's ranked among Africa's top 10 courses.
What is the best time to play golf in Port Elizabeth?
Port Elizabeth has excellent golf weather year-round with mild temperatures (15-25°C). Autumn and spring (March-May, September-November) offer ideal conditions with less wind. Summer (December-February) can be windy—book morning tee times. Winter (June-August) is mild and less crowded.
How windy is golf in Port Elizabeth?
Port Elizabeth is known as the 'Windy City' and coastal courses experience consistent breezes, especially in summer. Wind is typically 15-25 km/h, occasionally stronger. This adds challenge and strategy to coastal courses like Humewood. Morning rounds are generally calmer than afternoons.
Are Port Elizabeth golf courses beginner-friendly?
Yes, Kingswood Golf Estate and Wedgewood Golf Estate are both suitable for beginners with forgiving layouts and affordable green fees. Humewood and St Francis Links are more challenging links courses better suited to experienced players comfortable playing in wind.
How far is Port Elizabeth from Cape Town?
Port Elizabeth is approximately 750km from Cape Town—about 8 hours drive along the Garden Route or 1.5 hours by flight. Most golfers fly in for 2-3 day golf trips or include PE as part of a Garden Route road trip from Cape Town to George.
Can I combine golf with other activities in Port Elizabeth?
Absolutely! Port Elizabeth offers beaches, Addo Elephant National Park (1 hour away), surfing, and water sports. Many golfers combine golf with safari at Addo or beach activities. The city is also the gateway to the Garden Route and Eastern Cape game reserves.
Related Golf Guides
Best Links Courses in South Africa
Guide to South Africa's links-style courses including Humewood and St Francis Links.
How to Play Golf in Wind
Essential strategies for coastal golf including club selection and shot shaping.
How to Book Tee Times in South Africa
Step-by-step booking guide for championship courses and links golf.
Best Value Golf Courses in South Africa
Championship-quality courses with affordable green fees across all provinces.
Experience Coastal Links Golf in Port Elizabeth
Play Humewood and other excellent coastal courses. Combine championship golf with beaches, safari, and Garden Route adventures.