Simola Golf Course

Knysna has always been a favourite stopping off point for visitors on holiday on the Garden Route, but with three excellent golf courses, it has become a must-play destination for any visitors on a golf holiday in South Africa.

Set high inland, the Simola Golf Course, designed by Jack Nicklaus, offers stunning views across the Knysna lagoon. A parkland course that was eight years in development, the fairways have an established feel even though it is one of the newer courses in the area. Simola is a good test of golf, whatever your standard of play.

The course winds through two different valleys, with six of the holes on one side of the property and the rest a short cart drive over the brow of the hill. The second tee is in an elevated position, driving over the road and down into the valley below. (Main picture above is taken from the 2nd tee box showing the drop to the fairway!)

There are a number of deceptive bunkers on the course which make this a real test not only of your golfing ability but course management skills. Accuracy not distance is needed at Simola, stay out of the bunkers and you can achieve a good score. The course boasts an unusual configuration with five par 5 and five par 3 holes, each with three tee boxes to choose from.

Golf carts are a must and are included in the green fees.

Simola has its own 5* hotel and spa located on the course with two restaurants, a gym and spa facilities.  The Simola Estate is located a 10 minute drive from Knysna town centre where there is also good selection of accommodation, such as Leisure Isle Lodge and 2 other notable golf courses including Knysna Golf Club and Pezula. Further afield, about an hour’s drive away is the Fancourt Golf Estate (3 courses), Oubaai, Kingswood and George Golf Club and in the other direction, Goose Valley and Plettenberg Bay. As a consequence Knysna is ideal as a base for a South African golfing holiday on the Garden Route.

For more information about golfing holidays in South Africa and playing at Simola, contact us here or call +44 208 249 5919 to speak to our South Africa Golf Holiday specialists.