Legend Golf and Safari's Extreme 19th

TAKE a swing from on top of a mountain and avoid the wild animals on the greens at the world's most extreme golf course.

The Extreme 19th hole at Legend Golf and Safari is 400m on top of Hanglip Mountain. Picture: Lee Taylor

Question: what's worse than missing out on the chance to win $US1 million?

Answer: having to get down from a mountain after missing out on the chance to win $US1 million.

The white-knuckle helicopter ride up to the Extreme 19th at Legend Golf and Safari Resort was thrilling enough. But now I have to say goodbye to my stomach all over again and descend 400m to find my ball.

Pictures: Legend Golf and Safari

Situated in South Africa's north-eastern Limpopo Province, Legend Golf and Safari Resort is not your average championship golf course.

Set in the stunning 22,000ha Entabeni game reserve, players share the fairways with Zebras, monkeys, impalas and a whole host of furry friends. Don’t worry; lions, elephants and the rest of South Africa’s Big Five are kept safely behind an electrified fence. Obviously they have seen me play!

Legend boasts a list of superlatives: it is the longest par 72 golf course in the world and the only golf course where every hole has been individually designed by a golf legend. Stars such as Trevor Immelman, Sergio Garcia, Padraig Harrington and Australia's Robert Allenby have all helped to create this challenging, yet unique course.

There’s even a Tribute Course made up of nine of the best par 3’s in the world – each a perfect replica.

But the hole everyone comes to play is the Extreme 19th.

Set high up on the spectacular Hanglip Mountain, it is the longest and most dramatic Par 3 in the world and accessible only by helicopter.

Perched on what feels like the edge of South Africa I squint at a tiny green below and wish I had a bigger golf club.

I’m told it’s 587m from the tee-off box to the hole and Legend Golf and Safari Resort will give away $US1million to anyone who can hit a hole-in-one.

I become suddenly optimistic.

I wait for what feels like an eternity for the wind to ease before attempting my one-in-a-million shot.

Looking down at the ball I try and block out the silly little things going around my mind, like: I’m standing on the edge of a mountain, there’s $US1 million riding on this shot, I hope I don’t follow through.

And then… WHACK!

To my utter relief I actually hit the ball forward and giggle nervously as it fires towards the horizon. The ball suddenly loses its trajectory and begins to fall slowly towards the green.

There is a small buzz of excitement (okay, I begin to will the ball towards the hole) as the ball disappears from sight. Then it all goes quiet…

The silence is broken by radio chatter. This sounds promising.

Seconds pass and still no official confirmation. Maybe they can’t find the ball because it’s in the hole?

Err, no. They can’t find the ball, I’m finally told, because it landed in the 22,000ha safari park… somewhere.

Now where’s that helicopter?

FAST FACTS
A round of golf - including a buggy and lunch - will set you back R450 ($A67).

The Extreme 19th costs is R6700 ($A1000) per four ball, that includes helicopter ride, souvenir cap and glove and a DVD of you playing the hole.

Pictures: Legend Golf and Safari

In-depth: South Africa destination guide