Erinvale golf course

At the foothills of the Helderberg and Hottentot Holland mountains in the picturesque town, Sommerset West near Cape Town is one of South Africa's greatest golfing challenges. In the beautiful wine region you will find the Erinvale golf course with its mountain and sea views are integral components of this golf course which make for an unforgettable golfing experience.

Erinvale golf course is one of the best and most beautiful golf courses in South Africa by a mile with the ocean on the one side and the tranquil vineyards on the other. Gary Player was the designer of the beautiful Erinvale golf course and little of his immaculate challenges have been changed although the introduction of trees to the course as well as the care to manicure the surrounds are noticeable improvements.

Playing the course

The Erinvale golf course hosted the 1996 World Cup of Golf in which 32 different nations participated as well as having hosted the South African Airways open in 2003 and 2004. The front and back nine are distinctly different. The demanding front nine of the Erinvale golf course meander through park-like terrain while the back nine climbs winds through the foothills of the lower slopes of the Helderberg mountain providing panoramic views of False Bay and a contrasting challenge to the front nine.

The beautifully manicured par 72 championship Erinvale golf course boasts some of the country's most challenging and spectacular holes. The greens at Erinvale golf course are large and well-shaped which allows for several different pin placements. Erinvale also has a feature of this layout which is that different colored flags represent the different positions of the pin. Blue flags at the back, white in the middle and red at the front.

The first hole is considered to be the toughest opening hole in South Africa, with a dogleg to the left over a fynbos edged dam; a good line is essential. The second shot is a table top green that is surrounded by bunkers and a small dam to catch the loose shot to the right. The signature hole of the Erinvale golf course is the narrow par-four 17th hole which will be your biggest test of nerves; a great finishing hole that swoops downhill. You play from an elevated tee with tall pines flanking the one side of the fairway and an out of bounds fence on the other side to an a small green guarded by three revetted pot bunkers.

Course facilities

The Erinvale golf course clubhouse is nestled in the middle of the Erinvale Estates and is built on three levels which affords you scenic views of the 9th and the 18th holes on the course. Koi ponds will greet you on arrival will the hospitality not far behind; inside you will find a spacious interior that leads out onto a large sun deck that overlooks the 18th hole. On the deck you can order a drink or a snack to satisfy your needs or you can retire to the Terrace Bar as the sun starts to set to enjoy the latest sport on the big screen TV. The Erinvale golf course also offers a more formal experience in the upstairs restaurant where you will be able to enjoy a mouthwatering dining experience.

Erinvale golf course is a golf course that will provide you not only with a challenge to test your golfing skills but a scenic and memorable golfing experience amidst the wine regions of Sommerset West.