Pro golfer Ernie Els, who has a professional career of 76 international PGA victories, plays a shot at Zimbali Lakes Resort where his signature golf course is being developed.
Image: Picture: Doctor Ngcobo/ Independent Newspapers
Set in the amazing highveld views of Ballito, Zimbali Lakes poses a must play for any avid golfer in South Africa and abroad. I got the opportunity to play this classy layout designed by Ernie Els on my short return to home soil.
While it is shorter in length than your normal Par 72 courses, it’s a mighty challenge and requires shot making and club choice if you want to keep your ball in play.
Opened just over a year ago, Zimbali Lakes is a gem of International standard. The "Big easy" gave this design some vision for shots and approaches.
Playing this course for the first time I was very tempted to go with the driver on many holes to try and get my birdies. This proved not the case as my short game lacked the pro standard on the day.
The tip for playing at Zimbali Lakes is to play the course and not chase scores. Teeing off with a 7 wood or hybrids on some holes is a much more effective way to get around this course.
This serves a key in most golf games where sometimes we tee of with our most comfortable clubs, which may not go as planned. Always prepare for a Plan B and your strong shots to achieve this.
On the range take some time out to try different clubs to tee off. Next if possible try chip shots from different slopes. This practice will have overall success in your readiness to take on any given course on the day.
The best shots are played when we are familiar with them. Golf is made up of different shots with many changes in distance, having your knowledge of this in your own game would only make you that more solid of a golfer.
A big thank you to Zimbali Lakes for hosting me and I will surely be visiting again on my next trip back in South Africa. Catch you on the fairways!
-Sewgolum is a PGA AA golf professional, Golf Pro for Saudi Aramco and was voted Top 5 International PGA professional for the year 2022.