- Thrawn Golf
- Posts
- Legend Golf & Safari Resort
Legend Golf & Safari Resort
Tee off from a mountain, dodge wildlife hazards, and play 19 holes designed by legends. This ain't your grandpa's country club – it's golf gone wild.
We're about to embark on a wildlife adventure that just happens to include 18 (plus one extreme) holes of golf. Welcome to the Legend Golf & Safari Resort, where your biggest hazard might be a curious giraffe and your 19th hole requires a helicopter ride. Nestled in the Entabeni Safari Conservancy in South Africa's Limpopo Province, this isn't just a round of golf – it's a walk on the wild side with a club in hand.
Location: Entabeni Safari Conservancy, Limpopo Province, South Africa (where your golf cart might need a safari upgrade)
Course: Bushveld links meets celebrity design showcase
Par: 72 (not counting the Extreme 19th, which is in a league of its own)
The Legend Golf & Safari Resort offers a golfing experience that is peerless in the world. Where else can you play a course designed by champions, then take a helicopter to attempt the most extreme par 3 on the planet?"
Notabable Holes ✓
While the Extreme 19th is the showstopper, don't sleep on the other 18 holes. It's like a United Nations of golf - each hole designed by a legend from a different country.
Take Justin Rose's par-4 9th. The Englishman's created a hole that's as precise as a London tailor. It demands accuracy off the tee and a deft touch on the approach - much like Rose's own game.
Then there's Vijay Singh's 15th. The big Fijian doesn't do anything by halves, and this hole is no exception. It's long, it's challenging, and it'll test every club in your bag. Think of it as Vijay's way of saying "Bula!" (that's Fijian for "hello" and possibly "good luck, you'll need it").
Play Tips ✓
Adaptability is your best friend on this course. With 18 different designers, each hole brings its own flavor. It's like a golf United Nations - you need to be a diplomat and a strategist.
➲ What We’re Bringing
When you're teeing off in the African bush, your gear needs to be as wild as your surroundings. At Legend Golf & Safari Resort, every item in your golf bag should be ready for a round that's part PGA Tour, part safari adventure. This is just some of the gear you need to tackle 18 holes of legendary design and one extreme helicopter-required 19th.
Jordan Apex Jumpman Bucket Hat Rock this Desert Bronze/Black beauty and you'll look cooler than a lion in sunglasses. It's not just a hat, it's your personal shade-throwing device against the African sun. | Just Out For A Walk - Field Notes Because sometimes the real birdies aren't on your scorecard. This pocket-sized notebook is perfect for jotting down wildlife sightings between shots. |
Metalwood x Maxfli Tech Vest This isn't just a vest, it's a time machine with arm holes. Rock this blue beauty and you'll be channeling golf legends past while staying cool in the African heat. | New Balance 997 Golf Shoes Comfortable enough for a safari hike, stylish enough for the clubhouse, and with enough traction to keep you steady when a zebra crossing interrupts your backswing. |
☼
The Waterberg region serves up a climate as inviting as a lion's yawn (from a safe distance, of course). Summer (November to February) sees temperatures dancing between 70°F and 90°F, while winter (May to August) offers crisp, clear days around 60°F to 70°F. For optimal golfing conditions, aim for the shoulder seasons of March-April or September-October, when the weather is mild and the wildlife viewing is prime.
➲ Local Vibe
Off the course, you're in for a treat that's equal parts adrenaline rush and cultural immersion. The Entabeni Safari Conservancy is your playground, offering game drives where you can spot the Big Five (lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and Cape buffalo) – just don't ask them for swing tips.
For a dose of local flavor, visit the nearby Venda villages. The Venda people are known for their vibrant art, including intricate beadwork and pottery. Pick up a unique souvenir, but maybe leave the 5-foot tribal mask for another trip – it might not fit in your golf bag.
After your round, indulge in a true South African experience. Sip on a glass of pinotage while savoring a plate of bobotie, a deliciously spiced meat dish topped with custard – a perfect way to celebrate a day where golf and wilderness collide.
➲ The Extreme 19th
Ever wondered what it's like to tee off from a mountain? This Twitter video showcases Legend Golf & Safari Resort's infamous Extreme 19th, where you'll take a helicopter ride to the tee box atop Hanglip Mountain, then aim for a green 1,300 feet below.
⛳️🚁🇿🇦 The Legend Golf & Safari Resort in Limpopo, South Africa, houses the “most extreme golf hole in the world."
The extreme 19th hole is the world's highest & longest par 3 at 391 yards. The tee is only accessed by 🚁.
What score are you shooting?
— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF)
10:39 PM • Oct 14, 2023
Getting There ✈︎
Getting to Legend Golf & Safari Resort is part of the adventure. Fly into O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg (JNB), then hop on a small aircraft to the resort's private airstrip (or take a scenic 3-hour drive if you prefer terra firma).
From LAX → | 23 hours (enough time to watch "Happy Gilmore" seven times) |
From JFK → | 15 hours (just long enough to perfect your lion roar) |
From Heathrow → | 11 hours (time to dream about your upcoming safari-golf adventure) |
From SYD → | 14 hours (a quick kangaroo hop to elephant country) |
≊ | ᯤ |
☶ | ❏ |
➲ What if…
One of our favorite pastimes here at Thrawn is using tools like Midjourney to imagine "What if..." scenarios for golf. You'll find one of these wild ideas at the end of every newsletter. Think of it as dessert for your golf-loving brain.
This week's "What if..." A golf course in Arizona's Antelope Canyon.
📸 Midjourney magic at work. This course exists only in our wildest dreams... for now.