{"id":55,"date":"2025-09-15T12:06:02","date_gmt":"2025-09-15T12:06:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.unkgolf.com\/blogs\/?p=55"},"modified":"2025-09-15T12:22:23","modified_gmt":"2025-09-15T12:22:23","slug":"1000-hills-golf-course","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unkgolf.com\/blogs\/1000-hills-golf-course\/","title":{"rendered":"1000 Hills Golf Course: A Must-Play Golf Adventure in\u00a0South\u00a0Africa"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.unkgolf.com\/blogs\/1000-hills-golf-course\/#1000_Hills_Golf_Course\" >1000 Hills Golf Course<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.unkgolf.com\/blogs\/1000-hills-golf-course\/#Pulling_Up_to_Paradise\" >Pulling Up to Paradise<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.unkgolf.com\/blogs\/1000-hills-golf-course\/#A_Bit_of_History_to_Nerd_Out_On\" >A Bit of History to Nerd Out On<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.unkgolf.com\/blogs\/1000-hills-golf-course\/#Hitting_the_Course_The_Good_the_Bad_and_the_Monkey\" >Hitting the Course: The Good, the Bad, and the Monkey<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.unkgolf.com\/blogs\/1000-hills-golf-course\/#Why_You_Need_to_Play_1000_Hills_Golf_Course\" >Why You Need to Play 1000 Hills Golf Course<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.unkgolf.com\/blogs\/1000-hills-golf-course\/#Tips_for_Your_Trip_to_1000_Hills_Golf_Course\" >Tips for Your Trip to 1000 Hills Golf Course<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.unkgolf.com\/blogs\/1000-hills-golf-course\/#Final_Swing_Go_Play_1000_Hills_Golf_Course\" >Final Swing: Go Play 1000 Hills Golf Course<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1000_Hills_Golf_Course\"><\/span><strong>1000 Hills Golf Course<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Hey, golf pals! Imagine swinging your driver while hills roll out like a green ocean and a bird you\u2019ve never seen before chirps nearby. I\u2019m no tour pro my handicap\u2019s hovering around 15\u2014but the <strong>1000 Hills Golf Course<\/strong> had me grinning like I just sank a hole-in-one. If you\u2019re an American golfer itching for something different, let me take you through my adventure at <strong>1000 Hills Golf Course<\/strong>. Spoiler: it\u2019s worth the long flight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Pulling_Up_to_Paradise\"><\/span><strong>Pulling Up to Paradise<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>I flew into Durban from Atlanta\u2014about 17 hours, including a pitstop in London where I grabbed a terrible airport sandwich. Rented a car at King Shaka Airport and drove 30 minutes to the <strong>1000 Hills Golf Course<\/strong>. The road\u2019s lined with these wild, lumpy hills, and I kept thinking, \u201cAm I in a safari movie?\u201d The <strong>1000 Hills Golf Course<\/strong> is part of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.unkgolf.com\/\">1000 Hills Resort<\/a>, and when I rolled up, the clubhouse hit me with this warm, wooden vibe, like a fancy cabin with killer views of the 1st fairway. Coming from Georgia, where my local course is flat as a pancake, this was a whole new world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong>1000 Hills Golf Course<\/strong> is an 18-hole, par-72 course designed by Gary Player, that South African legend with the slick all-black outfits. It\u2019s about 7,100 yards from the back tees, but they\u2019ve got options for hacks like me or beginners like my buddy Dave, who came along and spent half the day in the rough. Green fees at <strong>1000 Hills Golf Course<\/strong> are like $50 a total bargain compared to $300+ at places like Kiawah Island. It\u2019s open to everyone, no country club vibes, and the staff were so chill, they helped me figure out how to say \u201cMsunduzi River\u201d without tripping over my tongue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.unkgolf.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-2-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-56\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.unkgolf.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-2-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.unkgolf.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-2-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/www.unkgolf.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-2-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/www.unkgolf.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-2-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.unkgolf.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-2.png 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_Bit_of_History_to_Nerd_Out_On\"><\/span><strong>A Bit of History to Nerd Out On<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>I love when a course has a story, and <strong>1000 Hills Golf Course<\/strong> delivers. Back in the \u201890s, some folks wanted to make this valley a hot spot for tourists. They called up Gary Player, who\u2019s designed a bazillion courses, and he built this gem, opening <strong>1000 Hills Golf Course<\/strong> in 1999. It\u2019s made to blend with the land hills, rivers, trees, the works. No fake lakes or forced vibes here, just pure nature. The <strong>1000 Hills Golf Course<\/strong> is part of a resort with a hotel and spa, so my girlfriend was stoked to chill while I played. I also swung by a Zulu village nearby and got a crash course in their culture tried saying \u201cyebo\u201d (yes) and got a laugh from the guide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong>1000 Hills Golf Course<\/strong> has hosted some local tournaments and snagged a Golf Digest \u201cPlace to Play\u201d award, which is legit. I heard from a caddie named Sipho that Player still checks in on <strong>1000 Hills Golf Course<\/strong> sometimes. Imagine sinking a putt and seeing him stroll by? Total bucket-list moment. It\u2019s got that same natural feel as older US tracks like Merion, but with an African soul.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Hitting_the_Course_The_Good_the_Bad_and_the_Monkey\"><\/span><strong>Hitting the Course: The Good, the Bad, and the Monkey<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s talk golf at <strong>1000 Hills Golf Course<\/strong>. It\u2019s a parkland course, so it\u2019s all lush fairways, big trees, and hills that mess with your head. The front nine at <strong>1000 Hills Golf Course<\/strong> is friendly wide fairways, greens you can actually read. I nailed a 250-yard drive on Hole 2 and felt like Rory McIlroy for about 10 seconds. Then the back nine got spicy. Hole 10 at <strong>1000 Hills Golf Course<\/strong> is the one you\u2019ll tell your buddies about a par 3 where you\u2019re hitting over a valley to a green that feels like it\u2019s mocking you. I pulled my 7-iron, prayed, and somehow stuck it 10 feet from the pin. My best shot of the year, no lie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There\u2019s five tee boxes at <strong>1000 Hills Golf Course<\/strong>, so Dave played from the front (about 5,300 yards) and only lost three balls, a personal record. Water shows up on holes like the par-5 14th at <strong>1000 Hills Golf Course<\/strong>, where I chunked a 3-wood and watched my ball splash like a sad duck. The greens are quick but smooth, and the fairways held up even after a morning shower. Then there\u2019s the wildlife at <strong>1000 Hills Golf Course<\/strong>. On Hole 7, I saw a bushbuck\u2014like a deer with better PR\u2014munching grass. And get this: a monkey snatched my protein bar on Hole 9 at <strong>1000 Hills Golf Course<\/strong>! I laughed so hard I forgot I was three over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The clubhouse at <strong>1000 Hills Golf Course<\/strong> is a great spot to chill post-round. The pro shop\u2019s got <strong>1000 Hills Golf Course<\/strong> hats and balls\u2014I grabbed one for my desk. The restaurant\u2019s where it\u2019s at. I tried \u201cbraai\u201d barbecue with this spicy sausage called boerewors that had me rethinking my life choices in a good way. Meals are like $10, and they\u2019ve got burgers if you\u2019re homesick. The resort\u2019s got pools and trails for non-golfers, so my girlfriend was happy getting a massage while I chased birdies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Oh, and <strong>1000 Hills Golf Course<\/strong> is big on eco stuff\u2014smart water systems, native plants, the whole deal. Reminds me of places like Streamsong in Florida, but with monkeys instead of gators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.unkgolf.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-3-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-57\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.unkgolf.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-3-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.unkgolf.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-3-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/www.unkgolf.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-3-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/www.unkgolf.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-3-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.unkgolf.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-3.png 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_You_Need_to_Play_1000_Hills_Golf_Course\"><\/span><strong>Why You Need to Play 1000 Hills Golf Course<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Look, I get it South Africa\u2019s a haul. Flights from the US run $800-1,200 from places like NYC or Atlanta. But once you\u2019re at <strong>1000 Hills Golf Course<\/strong>, it\u2019s so cheap. A round, dinner, and a room at the resort cost less than a day at Pebble Beach. Plus, you\u2019re not just golfing\u2014you\u2019re living. I did a quick safari after a round at <strong>1000 Hills Golf Course<\/strong> and saw a freaking rhino. Beat that, Myrtle Beach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Durban\u2019s got stuff for families an aquarium called uShaka Marine World kept my nephew entertained. The weather\u2019s a dream: warm summers (our winter) and mild winters. Perfect for ditching snow or humidity. Everyone speaks English, booking <strong>1000 Hills Golf Course<\/strong> is easy online, and the course is welcoming. Slope\u2019s 132, so it\u2019s tough but fair, and they\u2019ve got clinics if your swing\u2019s a mess.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Compared to US courses, <strong>1000 Hils Golf Course<\/strong> feels like a secret hideout. No crowds, just you and the hills. It\u2019s a chance to play a world-class course and support global golf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tips_for_Your_Trip_to_1000_Hills_Golf_Course\"><\/span><strong>Tips for Your Trip to 1000 Hills Golf Course<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Plan ahead\u2014book tee times at <strong>1000 Hills Golf Course<\/strong> early, especially October to March. Mornings are best: cool breeze, empty course. Hit the website or call +27 31 777 1500. Fly into Durban, rent a car (left-side driving takes a minute to get used to), and it\u2019s a 25 km cruise to <strong>1000 Hills Golf Course<\/strong>. Stay at the resort rooms start at $80 with fairway views.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Pack your clubs, sunscreen (African sun\u2019s intense), and bug spray for those sneaky monkeys at <strong>1000 Hills Golf Course<\/strong>. Carts are there, but I walked to soak it all in. Bring some Rand, though cards work fine. US folks get 90 days visa-free\u2014score.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Save money with golf packages at <strong>1000 Hils Golf Course<\/strong>. Mine was $200\/day for rounds, a room, and a game drive. Get travel insurance, just in case. Safety\u2019s no issue in the resort area\u2014stick to main roads, maybe Uber in Durban, and you\u2019re good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Final_Swing_Go_Play_1000_Hills_Golf_Course\"><\/span><strong>Final Swing: Go Play 1000 Hills Golf Course<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>I\u2019m still buzzing about <strong>1000 Hills Golf Course<\/strong>. It\u2019s not just the golf it\u2019s the hills, the braai, that monkey who\u2019s probably still eating my protein bar. For us American golfers, it\u2019s a chance to play a Gary Player stunner, save some cash, and see a place that\u2019ll change you. I\u2019m already saving for my next trip to <strong>1000 Hills Golf Course<\/strong>\u2014maybe I\u2019ll finally par that 10th hole. So, grab your clubs, book that flight, and get ready for a golf story you\u2019ll tell forever. Who\u2019s coming with me?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>1000 Hills Golf Course Hey, golf pals! Imagine swinging your driver while hills roll out like a green ocean and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":58,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[15,14,16,17],"class_list":["post-55","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-golf","tag-american-golf","tag-iconic-golf-course","tag-pebble-beach","tag-play-pebble-beach-golf"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unkgolf.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unkgolf.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unkgolf.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unkgolf.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unkgolf.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=55"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.unkgolf.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":59,"href":"https:\/\/www.unkgolf.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55\/revisions\/59"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unkgolf.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/58"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unkgolf.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=55"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unkgolf.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=55"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unkgolf.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=55"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}