Simola Golf & Country Estate

No.1 Old Cape Rd,

Knysna, Western Cape 6570

Office
+27 (0)44 302 9600
Pro shop
+27 (0)44 302 9677
Fax
+27(0)44 382 6826

Email
Email the course
Website
Visit website

Golf pro
Jamie Kietzmann (PGA Professional)

About the course

The Course:

18 holes. Open parkland. Undulating terrain - several slopes to climb.
Surroundings:

Woodland and residential.
Designer:

Jack Nicklaus

Back
tees

Club
tees

Front
tees

Metres

6318

5189

4856

Par

SSS or slope

Location

Latitude:

-34.003471

Longitude:

23.030691

How to get there:

60 km E of George

Approaching Knysna on the N2 from Cape Town direction, cross the Knysna River bridge, then drive alongside the lagoon for approx 3 km. Turn left into Old Cape Road (alongside the lagoon), then left again. Follow the winding road uphill for approx 4 km to Simola Estate and golf.

Simola Golf & Country Estate

Est. 2005

Simola Golf & Country Estate: In recent years several new golf courses have appeared on South Africa's Garden Route, but few can rival the quality of layout and spectacular views to be enjoyed at Simola. Perched high in the hills behind Knysna, the views down onto the Knysna River, Knysna Lagoon and The Heads (where the river flows into the sea) are nothing short of sensational. With five par-5's and five par-3's, Nicklaus's layout contains many memorable holes and plenty of elevation change. The two nine-hole loops straddle a ridge and are each arranged in their own natural amphitheatre, where the holes meander back-and-forth over pleasantly undulating, lightly wooded terrain. Although the layout is more compact than some of Nicklaus's more expansive layouts, there is always sufficient width for no two holes to get in each other's way. Excellent bunkering rather than an over-profusion of water provide the main hazards to be avoided, but it could be that the greens will give you the biggest challenge. The usually good-sized putting surfaces are home to a mesmerising array of slopes and borrows that would provide a tough test for dedicated tour professionals, let alone aspiring amateurs. Real estate around the course is confined to a few large villas that are set so far back as not to intrude in the slightest. Of many excellent holes, the par-4 13th is a gem, played downhill to a well-bunkered green. It is followed by a shortish par-3, where a small bowl of a green is handsomely framed within a picturesque enclave of tall pine trees.

List of courses: Garden Route, S Africa

Visitors

Who can play and when?

Visitors welcome on weekdays and weekends.

Must book in advance.

Green fees

Visitor fee, 18-holes: R795. Golf cart and halfway house included.

Credit cards accepted. Contact club for full details, SA affiliated and other discounts, Stay&Play packages, etc. [Last updated: 2018].

Practice facilities

Good

Did you know?

Simola is located high in the hills above the very popular town of Knysna, which many would describe as the oyster capital of South Africa, and certainly one of the busiest tourist destinations on the Garden Route. The quality and variety of golf on offer in and around Knysna, is also a major plus factor. Knysna's colourful history spans the days of sailing ships, timber extraction and even a brief period of gold discovery. The vast, indigenous forests just to the north of Knysna became an invaluable source of timber for buildings, ships and wagons from the mid- 1700's onwards. The forests are still home to the only forest-dwelling elephants in South Africa.

Published ranking

2018 South Africa Golf Digest rating: 20th best course in South Africa.

Where2Stay

Simola Hotel & Spa5-star

Old Cape Rd, Knysna.

+27 (0)44 302 9600
Visit website
Simola Hotel & Spa offers guests 5-star facilities that include the Orchid Room Restaurant and Sushi Bar, Sir Roy's Bar, the Club Café for light meals, a professional hair salon, and Spa with a fully equipped gymnasium. In addition to the world class golf course golfing facilities include a club house lounge and bar, luxury locker rooms and Pro-shop.
- Golf at this hotel:
  
  Simola
- Golf within 10 km:
  
  Knysna; Pezula
- Golf within 30 km:
  
  Plettenberg Bay (35 km); Goose valley (40 km)
Simola Lodge & Restaurant5-star

Simola Estate, Old Cape Road, Knysna

+27(0)44 382 4116/9
Visit website
Simola Lodge offers overnight guests a choice of five sensual en-suite rooms - equipped with all the creature comforts imaginable. All suites have the use of sun decks, with views of the beautiful Knysna Lagoon and the surrounding indigenous forest.
- Golf at this hotel:
  
  Simola
- Golf within 10 km:
  
  Knysna; Pezula
- Golf within 30 km:
  
  Plettenberg Bay (35 km); Goose valley (40 km)

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