Cape Town, a city synonymous with Table Mountain, pristine beaches, and the winelands, is also a golfer’s paradise. With a variety of world-class golf courses set against breathtaking scenic backdrops, it’s no wonder Cape Town and the Cape Winelands are considered a premier golfing destination. Cape Town’s climate is ideal for golf, particularly from January through March when the weather transitions from the warmth of summer to the mild and pleasant days of autumn. This is the perfect time to experience courses like the historic Royal Cape and Steenberg. As South Africa’s oldest golf club, Royal Cape offers a meticulously maintained course combined with rich heritage.
The Cape Winelands, a short drive from Cape Town, is a region of beauty and viticulture offering unforgettable golfing experiences. Golfers are spoilt for choice with Pearl Valley, and the Stellenbosch Golf Club where the rolling fairways are flanked by the vineyards and towering mountains that make the Winelands famous. The renowned Pearl Valley Golf Estate, designed by golf legend Jack Nicklaus, is often referred to as a masterpiece due to its stunning layout and superb condition. Nearby, the Erinvale Golf Club, set against the backdrop of the Helderberg Mountains, offers a challenging course with sweeping views of the Winelands and False Bay. A round here is a journey through strategic challenges and aesthetics.
Golf Courses near Cape Town
- Atlantic Beach Country Club: Just north of Cape Town and close to the cooling Atlantic Ocean, this course offers breathtaking views of Table Mountain. Its links-style design brings the natural, rugged beauty of the Cape into play throughout the round.
- Boschenmeer Golf Estate: Located just outside of Paarl, Boschenmeer Golf Estate blends natural beauty and sporting challenge seamlessly. It holds the distinction of being the first David Frost signature golf course in South Africa, offering players unique challenges, including water features and breathtaking mountain views.
- Clovelly Country Club: This course, located in the suburb of Fish Hoek, provides a unique blend of fairness and challenge. Dating back to 1934, it’s one of South Africa’s oldest and boasts a rich history alongside its beautiful, narrow fairways and undulating lands.
- Devonvale Golf & Wine Estate: Where the essence of leisure meets the challenge of the game, Devonvale Golf & Wine Estate offers a blend of golfing and the gourmet. This championship course, cradled by vineyards and the majestic Klapmutskop Mountain, is not just a test of golf but an invitation to enjoy the finer things in life, like wine tasting and gourmet dining, post-round.
- De Zalze Golf Club: Adjacent to Stellenbosch, a town famous for its vibrant wine culture and colonial history, De Zalze Golf Club offers an engaging experience across various terrains. The course is celebrated for its excellent condition, strategic layout, and the ability to test golfers of all skill levels, all while providing views that stretch across vineyards and blue gums.
- Durbanville Golf Club: Known as the “Jewel of the North,” this course offers a challenging but fair test of golf, with well-conditioned greens and fairways surrounded by wine estates and mountains.
- Erinvale Golf Club: Set against the backdrop of the Helderberg and Hottentots Holland Mountains, Erinvale’s course layout is spectacular, offering a diverse challenge that changes with the seasons. This course has hosted the World Cup of Golf and provides a stern test to golfers.
- Metropolitan Golf Club: Located in the heart of Cape Town, this course offers golfers the unique opportunity to play within sight of the World Cup Soccer Stadium. With Table Mountain as the backdrop, it’s an urban golfing experience unlike any other in the city.
- Milnerton Golf Club: Located close to Table Bay, Milnerton is a links course with spectacular views of Table Mountain and the ocean. The sea breeze adds an extra layer of challenge to what is already a demanding course, making for an unforgettable round of golf.
- Paarl Golf Club: At Paarl Golf Club, history, and modernity merge on a course steeped in tradition yet brimming with contemporary challenges. Known for its picturesque setting, the course navigates through varied terrains, offering golfers an opportunity to take part in a memorable round framed by the majesty of the Drakenstein mountains.
- Pearl Valley Golf Estate: Designed by the legendary Jack Nicklaus, Pearl Valley is set in the famous Winelands of the Western Cape and is heralded for its pristine conditioning, challenging layout, and beautiful setting. It’s a must-play for any serious golfer visiting the area.
- Royal Cape Golf Club: As South Africa’s oldest golf club, Royal Cape offers a premium golfing experience with its championship course that challenges both amateur and professional golfers. It’s known for its superb greens and is framed by majestic mountain views.
- Steenberg Golf Club: Known for its outstanding conditions and beautiful setting in the Cape Winelands, Steenberg Golf Club is a favorite among locals and tourists alike. It offers a challenging yet rewarding experience for golfers of all skill levels.
- Westlake Golf Club: Nestled at the foot of the Silvermine mountains, Westlake is one of the cape’s premier golf estates. Its parkland course is well known for being in excellent condition year-round, providing a great challenge for all levels of golfers.
What sets Cape Town and the Cape Winelands apart is the abundance of attractions beyond the golf course. In the heart of summer, activities from beach outings to tasting the region’s acclaimed wines provide a symphony of experiences. The Stellenbosch Wine Festival in February or the cozy wine tasting rooms in the cooler June weather present the perfect après-golf ambiance to savor the region’s finest vintages. In July, the Southern Right Whales make their presence known in the coastal waters, turning the area into a world-class whale watching venue. Hermanus, just a scenic drive away, hosts the annual Whale Festival, adding a touch of natural splendor to the golfing holiday.
Whether you’re looking for the perfect shot on the fairway or an escape among vineyards and mountain vistas, Cape Town and the Cape Winelands offer an adventure for every golfer. The combination of world-class golf courses, exquisite wines, and a plethora of cultural and natural attractions ensures that every visit is more than just a game – it’s an expedition into the heart of South Africa’s famed hospitality and beauty.
