Western Cape, Golfer’s Nirvana
Being a South African myself, I know there’s not around to tee off with that view over your shoulder across our stunning vista. Western Cape, and Cape Town in general, has golf that’s simply world-class, tough courses matched by views that’ll leave you panting for air literally. We’re talking mountains, vineyards, and Atlantic coastline all in one golf holiday. It’s just lekker.
Planning your golf holiday need not be haphazard, however. You do have to position yourself in the optimum places, avoid overbooking, and be capable of at least forming a general impression of the layout beyond the clubhouse. That is where I can assist you. Ten years of writing about golfing and golf vacations here in Mzansi, I’ve got you the ultimate stress-free and enjoyable Cape Town golf tour. Mind you, a less stressful time in the sun is what we’re aiming at.
Phase 1: Selecting Your Courses (The Must-Haves)
If you’re heading out to Mother City for a round of golf, you’re in for a treat. The Western Cape boasts some of the best golf courses in South Africa and a great diversity of Winelands, seaside and parkland courses.
Where planning exists, the most important thing here is reserving your tee times at the best courses. The top courses in Cape Town become booked well ahead of time, particularly when it is peak season between November and March.
Prioritising the Western Cape’s Top Tier
Your roll call of big names must include the big names. You can read recent bookings by genuine sites and observe the complete roll call of big names in the region, but these are some that you must include on your list for an excellent golf holiday in South Africa:
- Royal Cape Golf Club: South Africa’s oldest course, therefore a venue to discover history and ancient parkland challenge in the city itself.
- Steenberg Golf Club: In the Constantia Valley, picturesque and vineyard-filled, with some just great views.
- Pearl Valley: Designed by Gary Player and generally ranked near or at the top. Somewhere way out in the veld just past Paarl, but it is an hour worth the wait.
If you want the real Winelands experience, then you must absolutely include Erinvale Country & Golf Estate in your plans. Gary Player’s two nines are separated by the bottom nine being a walk-over and flat, and the back nine splits into the foot of the Helderberg and provides you with that very familiar view out over False Bay. One you won’t be in a hurry to leave behind, and a testament to the quality of golf in South Africa. To discover more about their course and how to coordinate, refer to the Erinvale Golf Club website.
Phase 2: Getting the Vibe Right (Sorting Out Logistics)
Filled up the golf courses in the bag, and then there’s getting the balance of it all together like a silky-smooth fine Stellenbosch red wine. That’s where rest stops and travel planning come into the picture.
Accommodation is Key
Where you place your head will set the tempo of your visit. Do you insert it in the midst of it all, close to the V&A Waterfront and Table Mountain, or do you spoil yourself with the peace of the Winelands?
- City Bowl/Atlantic Seaboard: Perfect for nightlife, restaurants on your doorstep, and internationally famous sightseeing. It may take you forever, anything between a while and eternity, to get to the golf courses, with or without Cape Town traffic, but never lose a moment.
- Winelands (Somerset West/Stellenbosch): Excellent if centred centrally in the Winelands courses of Pearl Valley, De Zalze, or Erinvale. You’ll be golfing to vineyards and can readily tie a morning tee-time with a late-afternoon wine tasting.
When selecting the ideal option, always make use of actual resources such as Cape Town Tourism’s website for listed options, a luxury hotel or a self-catering villa.
Getting Around
Unless you’re keen on driving a rental bakkie through unfamiliar roads after a long day on the course, securing reliable transportation is essential. Navigating a new city’s traffic, especially around the peninsula, can be time-consuming. This is where tour packages save the day.
Instead of arranging it yourself with bookings, transfers, and self-driving, keep things simple and book an expert service. Bhoma Tours understands how to take the logistical hassle out of it and coordinate customised transfers and book all the arrangements for you. For a sense of what an example of a pre-booked itinerary feels like, peruse our list of Bhoma Tours Golf Packages that highlight the best of the Western Cape.
Phase 3: Carving Out Time for the Vibe (Non-Golf Must-Do’s)
No golf tour ever is a golf tour. Cape Town, for instance, is the world’s most stunning city, and you must make time to get into the vibe. That is how you make a golf trip into an actual golf holiday in South Africa.
The Mother City Icons
No trip to Cape Town will be complete without scaling the big mountain. Spend at least half a day on Table Mountain. Ride it to the top on Table Mountain Aerial Cableway, with city views, Robben Island view, and a view of the two oceans, simply stunning. One of the do’s of Cape Town.
Vineyards and Vistas
The beauty of the Western Cape is the manner so perfectly and so fabulously well world-class Winelands are merged with world-class golf. Stellenbosch, Paarl, and Franschhoek are at your doorstep. A Stellenbosch wine route interlude from the tee box is a must. Simply sit back and indulge in some serious wine tasting or a gourmet lunch at one of the many estates. It’s a great way to spend an afternoon after a morning of golf.
And then have a good breakfast braai. For every one of the fancy restaurants of the Western Cape, there is no dollar substitute for hanging out and eating some firewood meat and local chat. Have your accommodation supplier take you to the breakfast braai at good local venues that give you a real experience.
Phase 4: Bringing it all Together with Bhoma Tours
Professional planning is the mantra to success for hassle-free, successful golf tours. Whether you plan it yourself or not, it is professionally planned by a local individual so that you are assured the best prices, best tee times, and hassle-free transfers so that you can relax and play your game and enjoy the views.
Bhoma Tours is in the know, from the optimal local timing to access the roads free from traffic to what everybody’s saying regarding which course is having its worst week. We know it all, so your holiday, from start to finish, is trouble-free.
From booking your tee time on one of the globe’s top-rated golf courses to arranging your airport transfers in advance, we organise your Cape Town golf tour to the finest detail. Office view for fairway view?
Bhoma Tours Signoff
It is love of the game, knowledge of the region, and the effort that goes into ensuring you have a wonderful golfing vacation in the Western Cape. Bhoma Tours would be delighted to relieve you of the stress of organisation and create your dream, bespoke itinerary so that your golf course holiday in the Western Cape is one to treasure. Should you be willing to leave the organisation on the back burner and on the greens, Book with Bhoma Tours.
