Welcome to The Vintage Golf Resort and Spa.

There’s something to be said about a course that welcomes you with open arms. In a world where attracting clientele to your course is an ongoing battle, the friendly folk at The Vintage are onto a winner. This is indeed a club that caters for everyone, yet does so without losing its true and original identity, that being one of the country’s premier resort golf courses.

Greg Norman doesn’t mess around. He wanted you to know this was his work before you even push your tee into the ground on the short par-4 first hole. It’s one of a collection of holes on the opening nine that give you the true Vintage experience – short, strategic par 4s, intimidating par 3s and a reachable par 5, all of which are dressed with superb bunkering, tight couch fairways and the best greens in the region on their day.

The par-4 second, another short hole with a sharp dogleg to the right, demands two accurate iron shots to a funky green sandwiched in between thick forest. Two holes later it’s another short dogleg, this time to the left, highlighted by an approach to an elevated green guarded by deep bunkering. The par-5 seventh takes you on a viticulture tour, up a steep hill from the tee and then down it all the way to a slippery left-to-right sloping green. Miss the fairway or green left and your ball could end up in the neighbouring winery’s next ‘vintage’.

Architecturally, the highlight of the round arrives at No.8, the 194m par 3 that’s rated by legendary club pro Richard Mercer as one of the finest par 3s in the world. It’s a beauty, if not a beast. The secret here is to not be too greedy – aim for the middle of the green, take the water on the right and bunkers left out of play, settle for two good putts and sprint to the next tee minus any damage to your scorecard or ego.

The Back Nine

The two standout features of The Vintage’s closing nine are variety and course conditioning. Norman is economical in his spread of long, short, straight and doglegged holes, while there is a solid mixture of brutal and forgiving green complexes. Water hazards have also been used sparingly to good effect. Long hitters will thrive on the short and driveable par 4s, but will be forced to risk it all when going for the par 5s in two. The par 3s level the field as each of the two (12 and 17) have water in sight that demands solid iron strikes from every golfer.

The course conditioning should also be commended. Lush green couch fairways inspire confidence on approach shots, but are hard enough to provide sufficient run from the tee. The rugged bunkers are a signature of Norman’s ethos – tall and intimidating but with an ideal amount of sand to reward solid strikes.

The Vintage Golf Club has the renowned golf professional, Richard Mercer, as Director of Instruction for The Vintage. Having played in golfing tournaments all over the world, including several British Opens, Richard has the skills and pedigree to ensure benefit to golfers of all levels.

For more information

The Vintage Golf Club Gallery