Photo of Arabella Golf Club

Arabella Hotel, Golf & Spa

Arabella Country Estate, R44,

Kleinmond, Western Cape 7195

  • Office

    +27 (0)28 284 0105
  • Pro shop

    +27 (0)28 284 0105
  • Fax

    +27 (0)28 284 0011
  • Golf pro

    Mike Munro (Golf Director)
  • Academy

    Arabella Golf School

About the course

  • The Course:

    18 holes. Tree-lined & open parkland. Undulating terrain - a few slopes to climb.

  • Surroundings:

    River estuary, rural countryside and residential

  • Designer:

    Peter Matkovich

Back
tees
Club
tees
Front
tees
Metres
6381
5403
5107
Par
72
72
72
SSS or slope
73
72
72

Location

Latitude:

-34.317352

Longitude:

19.134106

How to get there:

90 km SE of Cape Town

From the N2 highway (Cape Town - George road) take the Bot River / Hermanus exit and follow the R43, then R44 direction Kleinmond. After approx 9km turn right, which is still the R44 direction Kleinmond. After 1.7 km entrance to Arabella is on your left.

Arabella Golf Club

4-PLUS: Must play course - excellent standard; worthy of 4½ stars.

Est. 1999

The Arabella Hotel, Golf & Spa is home to one of the most scenic golf courses within easy reach of Cape Town. Its location of the Bot River estuary guarantees some impressive vistas, which mainly occur on the closing stretch on both nine-hole loops. Complementing this wonderful scenery is Peter Matkovich's absorbing and skilfully crafted layout.

The early sections of both the front and back-nines reveal many splendid golf holes, while taking you past some of Arabella's real estate development, which is never too obtrusive. As you journey round each of the nine-hole loops, the amount of elevation change increases, opening up some terrific views onto the estuary, neighbouring countryside and more distant mountains.

Although water is not too prevalent a feature, there are significant exceptions. The best of the water-defended holes is surely the exquisite short par-4 9th, although the downhill par-5 8th also demands an unerring approach shot, with water flanking the green to left and right.

The beauty and challenge of the front-nine closing pair is equalled by a spectacular finale to the back-nine. The fabulous par-3 17th clings to the shoreline of the lagoon, while the snaking par-5 18th also hugs the estuary, before arriving at what is almost a double-green with the 9th hole ... a couple of bunkers separate the two putting surfaces.

With generally excellent maintenance standards, not least on the fast and sloping greens, and plenty of round crater-like bunkering, Arabella typically provides one of the most memorable outings on the Cape.

Stay&Play at Arabella: luxury onsite accommodation available, see Where2Stay section below.

List of courses: Around Cape Town

Visitors

Who can play and when?

Visitors welcome on weekdays and weekends.

Must book in advance. Proof of handicap required

Green fees

International visitor fee, 18-holes in high season (walking rate): R1,535; S Africa affiliated player R950. Golf cart R495.

Contact club for full details, discounts, Stay&Play packages, etc. [Last updated: 2023].

Other information

Non-metal spike facility. Golf carts available for hire. Caddies available.

Practice facilities

Limited

Did you know?

Originally known as "Laughing Waters", the land that is now home to the Arabella Country Estate was originally cultivated as a barley farm. Over the years constant over-farming and excessive clearing of the area resulted in an environmental threat to the Bot River lagoon.

It was the vision of the last farming owner, Barry Wasdale, who had farmed sheep and tomatoes, that the land could be better used as a natural protection for the eco-sensitive lagoon, and so a green belt area was created by developing a golf course. Maintaining a balance between man and nature was foremost in the development of the Arabella Estate. Arabella translates as "beautiful land".

Published ranking

South Africa's 7th best course (SA's Top 100 Courses, 2023).

Where2Stay

  • Arabella Hotel, Golf & Spa5-star

    R44 Kleinmond, Overberg, Western Cape 7195

    +27 (0)28 284 0000

    Visit website

    The Arabella Hotel, Golf & Spa is located just a twenty minute drive from the whale watchers haven of Hermanus. This resort hotel boasts an internationally acclaimed spa, a variety of dining and entertainment options, a comprehensive childrens program and the award winning 18-hole championship golf course.

    • Golf at this hotel:

      Arabella

    • Golf within 10 km:

      No

    • Golf within 30 km:

      Hermanus

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