Pearl Valley, the Jack Nicklaus designed course, has been rated as one the top 10 courses in South Africa. Pearl Valley was chosen as host to the 2007 and 2008 South African Open Tournaments. Surrounded by a trio of majestic mountains, the course is only 45 minutes drive from Cape Town and close to the famed gourmet and wine centres of Franschhoek and Paarl.

The course is fairly flat and easy to walk, especially on the immaculate, carpet like fairways. There are plenty of bunkers and vast tracts of water that come into play on many of the holes. Sometimes the water hazards are blind from the tee box, with water encroaching further into the fairway than you expect. - Lucky then that stroke savers are included in your green fee!

The par 5, 4th hole has a split fairway which requires you to cross the bisecting brook twice in order to reach the green. The shallow, pebble filled water looks innocuous but swallows balls whole!

The immaculate new clubhouse has views over the 9th and 18th fairways with a bar and terrace as well as a separate fine dining restaurant. The changing facilities and showers are second to none and there is even a gym, spa and hairdresser on hand, if you need them!

Expensive by South African standards but a 'must play' course if you are staying in Cape Town or the Winelands region.