We Played the World’s Highest Par 3
Scott Edkins recently took a small group of partners to Legend Golf & Safari Resort in South Africa’s Waterberg region to see the property first-hand: playing the Signature Course, touring the resort, and taking on the Extreme 19th, the par 3 you can only reach by helicopter.
We sat down with Scott after the trip to get the details every travel agent needs before booking a client here. Below is the full conversation, alongside footage from the visit.
Arriving in the Waterberg
What logistics or practical details should agents know before booking? Travel time from Johannesburg, best time of year, weather considerations?
Summer is hot, and rain in the afternoon can be expected, so plan accordingly. Winter is a fantastic time to visit, as the days are warm and perfect for golf. The safaris are also best in winter.
Drive time from Johannesburg Airport is just under 3 hours, and the road is great except for the last section, which is around 3 km on gravel.
It is an easy self-drive on a toll freeway that is excellent. An alternative option is to fly in by charter, as there is a landing strip at Legends and the 30-minute flight is well worth considering.
Legends is an all-year destination, and you need a minimum of 2 nights, but we suggest 3. Keep in mind that the Big Five Entabeni Game Reserve is alongside the golf resort, so you can do 2 nights at Legends and 2 nights on safari.
What surprised you most about Legend that you didn’t expect going in?
All the new developments, from the new clubhouse at the Tribute Golf Course to the new rooms specifically for the golfer market overlooking the river, to the fantastic changes at the Signature Clubhouse, are impressive.
The Extreme 19th is also a wow experience now, thanks to ball tracking and what has been made possible technology-wise since 2018.
Settling In
What’s the safari side of the experience like, and how well does it integrate with the golf and resort side? Is it easy to do both in one trip?
Absolutely, and the entertainment game reserve is right next to the resort, so you can be playing golf in the morning and on a Big Five safari in the afternoon. Spending a few nights in the resort and a few nights on safari is a wonderful combination in this one-stop destination.
Tell me about the rooms and suites. What’s the luxury and comfort level like, and is there a particular room type or view you’d specifically recommend agents book for their clients?
I never got to see the new golf villas that are being built on the edge of the river and that will cater for groups of nine people, but the accommodation we saw is certainly 5-star and very comfortable. The food was fantastic and very South African, and the service levels were incredible.
If you were advising an agent on the ideal length of stay to combine golf and safari here, what would you recommend, and why?
You can spend 5 or even 7 nights at the resort with a combination of resort and safari lodge. There are two golf courses within a 45-minute drive of the resort, so you can play all that is on offer at Legends and then the golf offering at Kameeldoring and Euphoria Golf Courses.
Playing the Golf
How does the golf experience compare to other courses you’ve played? What makes the 18-hole course itself stand out beyond the famous 19th?
The Signature Golf Course is the only course in the world where all 18 holes have a different designer. Every hole has its own unique aspects, and it’s a wonderful layout that is not too testing off the club tees but can be very challenging off the back markers. The course has the regular impala, warthog, kudu and a few other animals roaming the fairways, which adds to the experience.
There is no dangerous game, so you do not have to worry about lions in the rough. The Extreme 19th is now exclusive, requiring limited tickets each year (Ascot has secured theirs for 2027) and play to gain membership.
As a member, you get access to the exclusive Extreme 19th bar, a limited-edition golf shirt, a certificate and bragging rights. This is a must-do for all golfers that want to experience something truly unique.
Walk me through the Extreme 19th hole. What’s it actually like getting there by helicopter, and what should a client expect from start to finish?
The whole Extreme 19th experience starts way before you get to the top of the mountain. After a briefing and loading on the helicopter, there is a 5-minute scenic flight to the top of the mountain. It’s not unusual to see animals on the flight, and perhaps a few of the Big Five. “
Flying over the green, you see the shape of Africa, then the helicopter gently lands on the mountain, ready for your experience. You get 6 balls, and they are marked 1 to 6 with your initials. Hit all 6, and the lowest number in play is the ball you will use on the green.
After everyone has hit their 6 balls, the helicopter ride down is exhilarating and exciting as the pilot gets you safely to the ground. The hole plays as a regular par three, so if you only find your 3rd ball, you will be playing your 6th shot towards the green shaped like Africa and surrounded by a bunker.
The green’s contours match those of Africa, so depending on the pin’s location, you could be putting over Mount Kilimanjaro or Table Mountain. Only a handful of 2’s have been recorded, and never a hole in one. You return to the Tribute Clubhouse by safari vehicle after everyone has putted out. There you’re presented with your certificate and limited-edition golf shirt, and invited to enjoy a celebratory drink in the Extreme 19th bar.
I have done this experience 20 times now and managed 3 pars, and I will go up whenever I get an invitation. It’s so enjoyable.
What would you tell a client who’s nervous about the helicopter or extreme element of the 19th hole?
The safety procedures are all world class, and the helicopter ride is as much of an adrenaline rush as playing the hole itself. It’s something every golfer should do.
Leaving
Who is this experience actually perfect for, and who should an agent steer elsewhere?
The new Extreme 19th is set up for golfers and non-golfers, so it’s something that needs to be experienced by both parties. Don’t rush it and enjoy the whole ride from start to finish. Legends Golf Resort as a whole is fantastic, and one we will be selling lots of again.
If you had to describe this trip in one sentence to a fellow travel agent who’s never been, what would you say?
Golf in Africa is unique when you play golf courses with animals sharing the fairways with you, and that is only possible when you do a golf safari combining Zebula, Sun City and Legend Golf & Safari Resort.
The Takeaway for Travel Agents
Legend Golf & Safari Resort is a genuine one-stop golf-and-safari destination: play in the morning, safari in the afternoon, no transfer day required. It suits golfers and non-golfers alike, works well for couples, families and golf tour groups, and the malaria-free Waterberg location makes it an easy sell for families.
Minimum stay is 2 nights, but 3 or more lets clients properly combine the resort with a stay at the neighbouring Entabeni Safari Conservancy. For a fuller golf safari itinerary, 5 to 7 nights split between the resort and a safari lodge works particularly well, especially when paired with a round at Kameeldoring or Euphoria nearby.
If a client wants to attempt the Extreme 19th, book it early. Places are limited each year, so it shouldn’t be left as a same-trip add-on request.
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