Clovelly Country Club
Tucked into a green valley between Kalk Bay and Fish Hoek, Clovelly is the Cape Peninsula's most charming examination of accuracy. A par 72 of about 5,870 metres laid out by Dr Charles Molteno Murray, it trades length for tight fairways, sloping greens and a Silvermine River that decides the closing holes.
Photo: Clovelly Golf Course via Google, by Klaus Kaiserschat.
The verdict
Clovelly is the kind of course that humbles the player who only knows how to hit it hard. It sits in a sheltered valley on the False Bay side of the Cape Peninsula, between the fishing villages of Kalk Bay and Fish Hoek, and it dates back to the 1930s, when it grew from a nine hole layout into a full course laid out by Dr Charles Molteno Murray. From the start it has been a thinking golfer's course rather than a brute.
It plays as a par 72 of about 5,870 metres, modest on the card but tight and demanding on the ground. Narrow fairways thread between trees and slopes, the greens are small and full of movement, and the Silvermine River winds through the property to gather the wayward shot. The reward for patience is one of the most enjoyable and scenic rounds in Cape Town, hemmed in by mountains with the sea a short walk away. For a traveling golfer it is the perfect counterpoint to the bigger, longer Cape layouts.
Clovelly at a glance
- Established
- 1930s
- Designer
- Charles Molteno Murray
- Holes
- 18
- Par
- 72
- Length
- About 5,870 m
- Access
- Members and visitors
History, designer, par and length verified June 2026 from the club and leading databases. Clovelly was laid out by Dr Charles Molteno Murray and built out to 18 holes in the 1930s, a par 72 of about 5,870 metres set in a valley with the Silvermine River in play. Green fees vary by season, so always confirm current access and any fees directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
The valley is the architect at Clovelly. Hemmed in by the slopes of the Silvermine and Trappieskop, the holes are routed along a narrow floor, so the corridors are tight and the premium is squarely on finding the short grass. Big hitters gain little here; the driver is often the wrong club, and the smart player clubs down to put the ball in position rather than chase yards into trouble.
The greens raise the second line of defense. They are on the small side, subtly contoured and quick, so a missed target leaves an awkward chip from a slope and a real test of touch. Distance control on the approach is everything, and the par 3s in particular ask for precise iron play to surfaces ringed by bunkers and bank.
Then there is the river. The Silvermine winds through the property and comes into play on several holes, most memorably down the closing stretch, where water and out of bounds turn a modest yardage into a nervy finish. It is a course that rewards the golfer who plays within themselves, and the valley setting, all mountain and greenery a short hop from the sea, makes it a delight to walk.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Members club that welcomes visiting golfers by arrangement, busier at weekends |
| Green fee | Visitor green fees apply; carts and caddies available (indicative, 2026) |
| Booking | Reserve a tee time in advance through the club or your tour operator |
| On the day | Clubhouse, bar and pro shop; a walkable valley course; smart golf dress |
| Getting there | Clovelly, between Kalk Bay and Fish Hoek on the Cape Peninsula, about 30 minutes from central Cape Town |
| Best months | October to April for the warm, drier Cape summer |
Access and fees verified June 2026 from the club where published; rates change, so always confirm current access and any fees directly before planning a visit.
Where to stay nearby
The southern peninsula villages are the natural base, with Fish Hoek, Kalk Bay and Simon's Town offering guesthouses and small hotels minutes from the course and a seaside, slow paced feel. For more variety, central Cape Town and the Constantia wine valley are a half hour drive away and put the city, Table Mountain and the famous vineyards within reach.
Clovelly sits in a deep Cape golf cluster. Pair it with the historic parkland at Royal Cape, the mountain layout at Steenberg, and the winelands test at De Zalze for a full few days of Western Cape golf.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts around the Cape Peninsula.
Build a Cape Town golf trip
We build Clovelly into a Western Cape golf holiday, pairing the round with the right peninsula or city base, the coast and the wine farms, and arranging tee times, dining and transfers around your group. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Clovelly questions
Who designed Clovelly Country Club?
Clovelly was laid out by Dr Charles Molteno Murray and built out from nine to eighteen holes in the 1930s. It is a par 72 of about 5,870 metres set in a valley on the Cape Peninsula.
What makes Clovelly a challenging course?
Clovelly is moderate in length but tight, with narrow fairways, undulating greens and the Silvermine River winding into play, so accuracy and course management matter far more than raw distance.
Can visitors play Clovelly Country Club?
Yes. Clovelly is a members club that welcomes visiting golfers by arrangement. Book a tee time in advance, and always confirm current access and any fees directly before booking.
Where is Clovelly Country Club?
The course lies between Kalk Bay and Fish Hoek, south of Muizenberg, in a valley on the False Bay side of the Cape Peninsula, around 30 minutes from central Cape Town.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. History, designer, par and length verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.