223 - Gooderson Monks Cowl Golf Resort

Location: Drakensberg, South Africa

Rating: 6.7

Whilst playing Champagne Sports we noticed a small 9 hole course on the other side of the property which naturally piqued our interest. This turned out to be Monks Cowl, another resort, much smaller and slightly less glamorous than its neighbour so we thought we’d check it out.

The name comes from a nearby peak's silhouette that resembles a cowl—a hooded garment traditionally worn by monks—hence the name.

The course itself is a 9 hole, 18 tee box design with more stunning scenery of the surrounding Drakensberg Mountain range. Whilst not being as pristine as Champagne Sports, this course was still in pretty good condition and had some really cool holes.

The first few holes are relatively simple, working their way back and forth up and down the slope before you hit the par 5 4th which works down to a green sat in front of the Sterkspruit River with the rapids noticeably audible in the background. The 5th tee box is then a short walk on a bridge across this river which certainly gets the heart rate increasing on this swinging bridge. The tee shot leads to an elevated fairway with trouble on the left, requiring a pinpoint drive.

The 6th is another tricky hole which hugs the fence separating it from Champagne Sports, a very narrow drive leaves a tricky approach to a green set behind a drop that has a ravine running through it.

Whilst it is definitely not quite at the standard of Champagne Sports it is still a really enjoyable, affordable round of golf and certainly worth playing the 18 holes as the different tee boxes offer an interesting and different perspective to each hole.