Garden Route Courses
The entire Plettenberg Golf course is a proclaimed nature reserve
set in the stunning Piesang valley. It is a very relaxing course with just
the sounds of nature to disturb you. The clubhouse overlooks the valley,
and the opening holes take you downhill, but beware because the finishing
holes do the opposite. You’ll need to watch the accuracy of your drives
as the Piesang River meanders through the course.
At the heart of the Garden Route you’ll find Fancourt, which
has established itself as one of South Africa's premier golf destinations.
It offers four excellent courses at the foot of the Outeniqua Mountains.
Outeniqua is the native for "land of milk and honey",
and is a perfect description for this world-class course, which includes
mountains, water and wildlife. The 3rd hole is a downhill par 4 which calls
for an accurate tee shot as the fairway and green are guarded by bunkers
on both sides. This course is only open to members and resort guests so
if you want to play you’ll have to stay at Fancourt.
The first hole of the Montagu golf course offers intimidation from
the start! The fairway is narrow with out of bounds on either side and the
shot to the hole is downhill to a wide, shallow and well-protected green.
Making par on this hole is a triumph! The 17th hole is similar to the 12th
at Augusta where you have to play over water to a wide shallow green.
The Links course at Fancourt is similar to Scottish coastal courses
such as Turnberry, Carnoustie and St Andrews. With holes named as 'Lang
Drap', 'Sheer Murrder' and 'Near the Dram', the Scottish influence is very
evident. We found this one an exciting but tough challenge.
The fourth course at Fancourt is Bramble Hill which is a public
pay and play course. It is a parkland course with links features and blends
the characteristics of Fancourt’s other three courses. It is designed
to give golfers of all abilities the chance to enjoy the Fancourt experience.
The beautiful George Golf Course, which remains green throughout
the year, is one of the finest in the Cape. The course is densely wooded
but the fairways are quite generous. It offers a memorable layout and is
rated as one of the top 10 golf courses in South Africa by Golf Digest.
Definitely one of our favourites!
The Sparrebosch course offers breathtaking views over the forest,
the Knysna Lagoon and the Indian Ocean, with holes such as the 14th built
right on the edge of the cliffs, giving spectacular views. The edge of the
green is an enormous bunker and the backdrop is the clear blue waters of
the Indian Ocean. This can be a tough course if the wind decides to blow.