Slightly further afield, about an hour and a half's drive from Cape Town, & near Hermanus, is the Arabella Estate. This course is a gem which is well worth making the effort to visit. Next to the Kogelberg Nature Reserve, the course has links, parkland and coastal aspects to it, with wide rangey fairways and deceptively placed bunkers and the inevitable, water hazards. The course borders the largest natural lagoon in Southern Africa, with the 9th, 17th and 18th holes running parallel to the lagoon. The water comes into play on a couple of other holes where the green is set on a penninsular surrounded by water, over-shooting the green is definitely not an option.

The start of the course rises gently uphill to the holes at the back of the course which wind through houses. Fairways are wide and reasonably flat until you reach the 8th and the signature hole down to the lagoon with great views out to the distant coast line. As a consequence the sea breezes come into play much more on the final 10 holes. The course is easy to walk.

The course was awarded the Golf Digest award for the best new course in South Africa in 1999. In 2002, the course was rated number 9 in South Africa by Golf Digest, and number 5 in 2003.

A second 18 hole course is under development which will make this an ideal spot for a weekend stay.

The Arabella course is part of the The Western Cape Hotel & Spa complex, voted one of the top spas in South Africa - perfect for non playing partners or weary golfers!