Golfing the Winelands. From Cape Winelands up the Garden Route

INTRODUCTION

Gary Player, Ernie Els, Tiger Woods, Peter Matkovich – we’ve gone for a celebrity round-up of golf courses in the Cape, on a route that travels to the winelands of Stellenbosch and the Helderberg, dips into some whale-watching territory near Hermanus, then journeys up the gorgeous Garden Route via South Africa’s sunniest town. And you get to pit your performance against the world’s golfing greats when you play on the links that hosted the Presidents Cup in 2003.

Of course, there’s more on offer than just golf – if you can’t tell your pars from your putters, there’s plenty to keep you entertained too. This route was put together with Larry Gould, a passionate golfer and former hotelier who has the arduous task of spending long hours chasing small white balls into holes on courses around the country – all in the name of work. Larry also takes golf tours.

TIME:
Four days, four nights –  the minimum time you’ll need for the entire route, but extra time is recommended to make the most of the courses and explore the Garden Route, one of South Africa’s most beautiful regions.

DISTANCE:
About 500km one-way, and add another 450km for the direct route back to Cape Town on the N2.

BEST TIME TO GO:
Summer may dish up a southeasterly wind that ups the golfing challenge. The rain comes in winter, but it’s often mild with plenty of good-weather days in between. Autumn is ideal – the holiday crowds are gone, the wind drops and the days are usually pleasant and warm.

Before you go
It’s essential to book well before your trip. All the main courses featured here are golfing estates with homes along the fairways. Preference is given to residents and hotel guests before day visitors. We’ve listed alternative courses in case they are fully booked, but these clubs also experience high volumes, so do phone ahead. Some clubs also have members-only days. Golf shoes with soft spikes are required on most courses in the Cape region.

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Reading list

Look out for a handy map titled Guide to Golf in Cape Town and the Western Cape, at tourism offices, which lists 70 local courses and their contact numbers.

The Larry Gould Guide to Golf in the Cape, which describes 38 local courses in detail, is a fabulous source of information to anyone exploring the province with a set of golf clubs in the boot.

What you need to know about local golf.
Because of the type of grass on the greens, divots are not replaced on local courses. Sand is used instead, which allows the grass to knit together again. You can hire or buy sandbags at the clubs. Many local clubs have the very civilised custom of the halfway house – stopping for a 10-minute break for refreshments after nine holes.

It’s a good idea to use a caddy, available at most clubs. It’s customary to tip on top of the official fee, and include something for the halfway house refreshment. Book your self-drive golf carts in advance as they get snapped up rather quickly. Of course we love the 19th hole tradition! And yes, holes-in-one mean an expensive round at the bar here too.

DAY 1 Waterfront to Spier De Zalze, Somerset West – 35min

From the Waterfront turn left to N1 Paarl then follow N2 Somerset West. After about 32km, take Exit 33 Baden Powell Drive, Stellenbosch R310 and turn left at the stop (as if you were going to Spier). Turn right into Annandale Road (at the large strawberry). At the four-way stop turn left onto R44 and continue towards Stellenbosch, then turn left into De Zalze Winelands Golf Club. Spier De Zalze Golf Club, off R44, Stellenbosch: 18 holes, par 72. Type of course: parkland. Length: 5 937m. Clubs, trolleys, drive carts and caddies for hire.

As if there wasn’t enough to entertain you at Spier, the De Zalze Golf Club (for now accessed off the R44, not through Spier) issues a unique Winelands challenge – can you finish your round before you succumb to a wine tasting? The course, designed by Peter Matkovich, is unusual in that it meanders through a working farm and vineyard. The result is a spectacularly beautiful winelands experience, with the Stellenbosch mountains as a backdrop to fairways running between vines, fruit trees and lavender, and numerous dams and holes along the oak-lined Blaauklippen River making it one of the Western Cape’s most scenic golfing destinations. (And do reward yourself by tasting the Kleine Zalze and Spier wines afterwards.)