Simola Golf and Country Estate

The verdict

Simola sits on the forested ridge above Knysna, in the heart of South Africa's Garden Route, and it carries a notable distinction as the first Jack Nicklaus Signature course on that stretch of coast. The estate had a long and difficult birth through the late 1990s and early 2000s, and the finished golf course, which opened in the mid 2000s, has since become a fixture on the country's tournament and visitor circuit.

It plays as a par 72 of around 6,401 metres and breaks the usual pattern with five par 5s and five par 3s, which gives the round an unusual rhythm and plenty of scoring chances for those who manage the long holes well. Set below the high ridges, it is largely free of the wind that bothers so many coastal courses, and almost every hole offers a view, whether out across the Knysna lagoon to the Heads or over the river and the forest. The result is a course that is as easy on the eye as it is enjoyable to play.

The holes worth the trip

Simola is a classic Nicklaus Signature parkland in feel, generous off the tee but demanding on the approach, where the greens are well defended and the run offs ask for a deft short game. The routing uses the slope of the ridge cleverly, with elevated tees that open up the views and tempt the eye away from the job at hand, and water comes into play on several holes without ever dominating.

The unusual balance of five par 5s and five par 3s is what golfers remember. The long holes give the bigger hitter genuine birdie and eagle chances, while the collection of par 3s, played at different lengths and over different hazards, keeps the irons honest. Several holes deliver the postcard view down to the lagoon and the Heads, the kind of backdrop that has made Simola one of the most photographed courses in the country.

Sheltered from the worst of the coastal wind, Simola tends to play fair and rewards good iron play and a confident putter. It is a course that suits a wide range of handicaps, which is part of why it works so well as the golfing centrepiece of a Garden Route trip.

Where to stay nearby

The obvious base is the Simola Hotel on the estate itself, which puts the first tee on your doorstep and makes a stay and play package the simplest way to play more than once. Knysna, with its waterfront, restaurants and the famous Heads, is a short drive down the hill.

Most golfers fold Simola into a wider Garden Route tour, pairing it with the Fancourt courses at George and the cliff top layouts further along the coast. Add a few nights in Knysna or Plettenberg Bay and you have one of the most scenic golf and touring trips anywhere in the southern hemisphere.

Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Simola Golf and Country Estate.