88 - Pearl Valley Golf Estate

Location: Paarl, South Africa

Rating: 8.4

Pearl Valley is a really great golfing experience although it costs a pretty penny to play here. It is a Jack Nicklaus Signature Course and the maintenance of the course is very very good! I mean when you arrive you can see the grand nature of the experience they are seeking to provide. The driving range itself is incredible, there’s a phenomenal backdrop and free balls hitting off the grass, the facilities are really first class!

Really nice touch with the starter and you tee off with a medium length par 4 with bush down the left and a sand trap running along the right. As mentioned the course is truly in great condition my only gripe is I think it lacks a little in terms of very interesting and unique holes. Holes 2, 7 and 8 felt quite similar, par 4’s with water down the left. It is also pretty flat which I guess they can’t do much about but that might add to the intrigue of the car with mounds in the fairways similar to what it’s like at St Francis Links.

It’s not an extremely difficult course, not particularly long but there’s water on many holes and trouble in the right places. The clubhouse is great, very grand and modern and houses a fantastic pro shop with loads of branded merchandise. Sadly didn’t have any normal size ball markers

Overall, I think it is worth the visit but maybe on the pricey side although my friends in Cape Town have urged my to go back and play again as they reckon I’ve got the wrong impression.