Simola Golf & Country Estate

Simola Golf & Country Estate: In the early 2000s several new golf courses appeared on South Africa's Garden Route, with few able to 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-5s and five par-3s, 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.

Housing 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.

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