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1.5
3 Reviews (3)
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1
Conditions
4.8
Value
1.5
Layout
5.0
Friendliness
1.5
Pace
1.6
Amenities
1.6
16.7%
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2 out of 3 reviews
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About

Holes 18
Type
Style Links/Parkland
Par 72
Length 6222 meters
Slope 141
Rating 74.0

Peter Matkovich, who designed the Arabella Golf course, ensured that the 18 holes encompass the Mountain backdrops, lagoon frontage and forests on the estate near Kleinmond. These provide for links, parkland and coastal aspects, while the individual fairways provide natural corridors as vantage points to savour nature's true beauty. This championship course was voted "Best New Course Southern Africa 1999"

Location: The golf course is situated near Kleinmond, which is on the Western Cape's Whale Coast, and close to Hermanus.

Unique Selling Points:
- 150 bird species
- Bio-sphere, Links and Parklands
- Designed by Peter Matkovich
- Fynbos
- Largest lagoon in Southern Africa

Course Details

Year Built 1999
Fairways Kikuyu Grass
Greens Dominant Bent Grass
Golf Season Year round
Architect Peter Matkovich (1999) Mark Wiltshire (2013)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes - R470 - R495
Clubs Yes
GPS Yes
Pull-carts Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Bunker Yes
Caddies Yes
Golf School Academy Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Metal Spikes Allowed No
Walking Allowed Yes
Dress code Collared shirts are required. Shorts need to be Bermuda-length. Appropriate golf attire required.

Food & Beverage

Bar, Restaurant, Halfway House

Available Facilities

Showers, Locker Rooms

Reviews

1.5
3 Reviews (3)
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Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a month
1.0
First Time Playing

Stereotype heaven! If you’re Stiff and all about etiquette this is the place to go!

At Check-In in this beautiful estate the reception lady said golfing is all about having fun and enjoying the time. So hence, I went down to the Golf Club reception where a rather downlooking unfriendly lady asked me if I needed help, which I did, but didn’t get.
As a casual but good golfer I was not allowed to rent or play golf at this course, which I found very disturbing. Not having a handicap is not the problem here, but not wearing stiff polo shirts and long pants, with an average of 35 degrees Celsius was. As a fashion designer I do know how to dress accordingly, just not dress accordingly to a single persons opinion.
The extremely unfriendly and bored Lady, of Indian heritage (not that any heritage is important at all, but I clearly want to address this to her exclusively..again) made it pretty clear that I am as unwelcome. As a Guest of the Hotel I am strongly disappointed and would’ve appreciated some respect. A No is a no, but there are several ways of addressing it.

The Course looks and feels amazing! So In no way is this addressing the extremely hard working staff to preserve this course and make it the beauty it is. But the lady taking care of the bookings at the front desk of the Gold Club Shop unfortunately completely disturbs this image. Sadly I have to say I felt like apartheid has been revived in 2023. Sad but true!

Conditions Excellent
Value Poor
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Poor
Pace Poor
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 638
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Golf Advisor
First Time Playing
Good weather
Used cart

One of Cape Town's best

The debate about Arabella is this - If you're hanging out in the city for just a short amount of time, is it worth the hour and a half drive to play? Sure is. Once you get past the arduous uphill first hole, Arabella is delightful. No two holes feel the same. Picturesque doesn't do the surrounding setting of the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve, the Bot River Lagoon and Kogelberg Mountains justice. On my recent 11-course journey through South Africa, I'd probably rate my Arabella experience among the top 3 or 4 rounds of the trip. It's a treat.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 378
Handicap 5-9
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Top 10 Contributor
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Big setting for fun golf course

Laid out along the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve, the Bot River Lagoon and Kogelberg Mountains, the views are special here and the holes are well designed. From the very first tee, an uphill par 4 where you need to add a club or two to the approach, this golf course is never boring. The par 3s and 5s are particularly strong, including a dynamite risk reward finishing par 5.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
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