Cape Town: Golf Courses
It is easy to imagine that in such an Eden like setting as Cape Town, with its long traditions and established gentility, that golf would flourish, and indeed it does. There are as many as 20 golf courses within easy driving distance of Cape Town, some of the more notable of which are included in this list.
Mowbray Golf Course, centrally located just east of the City Bowl, describes itself as a parkland course, set against the usual backdrop of Table Mountain, and boasting a course layout that cunningly avoids any direct confrontations with the ubiquitous southeasters. Membership is exclusive and pricey, with a visitors membership available assuming that you can present yourself as acceptable.
Adjacent to the Mowbray is the Rondebosch Golf Club, a slightly less salubrious venue, but with a established tradition and a friendly outlook, and the same basic physical setting. Visitors are always welcome.
Another centrally located golf course is the Metropolitan Golf Club at Mouille Point about 5 minutes walk from the V&A Waterfront, and although not quite to the standard of the Mowbray, it also enjoys views of the ocean and the mountain, and visitors are always welcome. Info: met@mweb.co.za or tel: (021) 434 7808
Situated almost directly downtown, the River Golf Club has a modern young professional air about it with a 9 hole course and a 90 bay driving range and the Logical Golf Academy. The club also has conference Center, restaurant, bar and other peripheral sporting activities. Visitors welcome.
A mid-range option situated on the west facing Atlantic seaboard in the Milnerton Golf Club, an 18 hole, par 72 course situated in a pleasant suburban backdrop about 10/15 minutes drive north from downtown Cape Town. With the usual views of mountain hazed by distance, the club is no less beautifully situated than any other, and visitors are always welcome.
Brimming with grace, venerability and history, the Royal Cape Golf Club is situated in the upscale neighbourhood of Wynburg, and has a finely tended 18 hole course and an elegant clubhouse. Visitors are always welcome.
King David Golf Course enjoys a relatively sheltered position close to the International Airport, with an 18 hole par 72 course that weaves through undulating countryside that tends to stay dry during the wet winters of the Cape. Just off Modderdam Road on Palotti Road in Montana, Cape Town.
A modest 18 hole course situated in the suburb of Belville a few minutes east of the City Bowl, The Parow Golf Club offers the usual facilities, and visitors are always welcome.
Nearby is the Belville Golf Club situated in the pleasant Welgemoed suburb and offering an 18 hole, 72 par course, with all the usual clubhouse facilities. The course dates back to 1958 when it was known as the Welgemoed Golf Club. Visitors welcome.
As the name suggests, the Atlantic Beach Golf Club is situated on the Atlantic seaboard near the suburb of Melkbosstrand and at the north end of Table Bay, about 20 minutes drive north of Cape Town. Courses like this with little or no shelter against the wind tend to view the wind as a challenge, and so it is. This is a traditional 18 hole course with excellent club and support facilities. Visitors welcome.
Rated one of the top three golf courses in South Africa, Steenberg Golf Club offers a particularly attractive backdrop with upscale facilities including a luxury hotel, restaurants conference and housing amenities. It touts the slogan Unmistakable in its authenticity, Steenburg is a place of textured heritage, vintage wines and world-class golfing. If you can wade your way through this, Steenberg is situated near Oude Raapkraal south east of the City Bowl on the way to Muizenberg. Visitors welcome.
Not far away is the Westlake Golf Club, situated near Lakeside, a user friendly 18 hole, 72 par course set close to the shores of False Bay and sheltered somewhat from the prevailing winds. Visitors are welcome, and according to the club’s website, it was established in 1932, and offers visitors a special blend of old world charm and modern amenities in an atmosphere of conviviality and camaraderie.
Durbanville Golf Club is a little further out from Cape Town, but offers a variety of accommodation and spa options that will make it worth the journey. Situated in Durbanville in the northern suburbs of Cape Town, visitors are welcome.
Situated in the Lourens Valley some 45km east of Cape Town, Erinvale Country Estate & Golf Club lies at the foot of the Hottentots Holland mountains range and is associated with such august local estates as Vergelegen, Moregenster, Fleur Du Cap and Lourensford. As a residential golf estate it offers more than golf, as it claims, and indeed a lifestyle. This is certainly the Cape hospitality industry at its best, and is without doubt so much more than a round of golf.
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