Welcome to Erinvale
The best residential Golf Course the country has to offer ...
Host of the World Cup 1996 & South African Airways Open 2003 & 2004
Larry Gould`s Description of the course:
(Reproduced with kind permission from the author)
Gary Player was the designer of the course and little of his immaculate challenges has been altered. The introduction of trees and the considerable care of manicuring the surrounds are nevertheless noticeable improvements.
The first nine holes are on the low, flat part of the estate and the second nine are on high, undulating ground. This will give you two different feels, but there remains a common thread – that is the standard of the superbly shaped greens, with truly consistent putting surfaces. The 1st hole, a dogleg right epitomises the Erinvale experience. You can choose a safe line straight off the tee leaving a long second to an elevated green well protected by bunkers and water to the right. The more ambitious will cut the corner with their drive. This requires a carry over water and a ditch, as well as the avoidance of trees. The reward is a short iron to a difficult target.
Throughout the course there are majestic mountain backdrops, panoramic views of the surrounding hillsides planted with vine and sparkling views of the ocean from the higher vantage points. I have chosen to describe the finishing holes on both nines. These are excellent holes. However, I assure you that the experience and scenery around the other 16 will be cherished by the participants in the South African Airways Open as well as those of you who get to play on this superb layout in the Winelands.
9th Hole – Par 4 - 365 metres
From the tee you are required to avoid five deep bunkers on the left. The fairway, quite wide but out of bounds, awaits you on the right. The second requires a long, precise iron or wood (depending on our skill) to a narrow target fronted by a rocky stream that also follows the left of this very long green.
18th Hole – Par 4 - 356 metres
This is a superb finishing hole! The modern clubhouse directly behind the 18th is your target. You will be required to deviate left of the five bunkers ( the same ones as on the 9th) off the tee. You will then be required to find the right club to reach a massive green surrounded by four bunkers of differing size and depth. Here it is important to check the pin placement of this quite majestic green as it could make a four club difference.
The feature hole at Erinvale is the short par 3, 8th hole.
However, my personal favourite is the downhill par 4, 17th hole which I would feature in any list of great golf holes. An out of bounds fence runs alongside the fairway on the right and tall pines accompany the left. An accurate drive will reach a fairway running steeply downhill and longer hitters will take advantage of this. For the average golfer, a long second shot is required to negotiate a narrowing fairway leading to a surprisingly small green, protected by severe bunkers on either side. The green itself needs concentration as it has some severe slops to test the putter. This is especially so if the pin on the right.
GOULD’S SPECIAL NOTE here are no caddies at Erinvale and drive carts are recommended especially for the undulating second.