The Belmont Golf Club

Overview: The Belmont Golf Club sits in a rural valley outside Grahamstown, now Makhanda, where century-old oaks, the Kowie River and surrounding farm country give the course a distinctly Eastern Cape setting. Its 18 holes are not defined by sheer length. The club describes the short holes as tricky, and the greens provide much of the examination: a good drive can still leave an awkward decision if the approach is played to the wrong section of the putting surface. The result is a thoughtful, scenic round rather than a test based only on power.

History: Designed and built by Tyrone Yates, the current Belmont course opened on 1 October 2015. It became the modern golf destination associated with Grahamstown after the area’s older club history, which began in the nineteenth century, moved away from the former urban course. Belmont was created as a stand-alone course in the farming valley, with the layout and clubhouse deliberately kept separate from a housing development.

Did You Know? The club’s own course notes describe a distinctive par mix: five par threes, eight par fours and five par fives. That balance helps explain the course’s character. There are enough short holes to reward a confident iron game, but the five par fives create opportunities for players who manage their position well rather than simply chasing distance.