Pezula - Western Cape - South Africa

Designed by Ronald Fream, Pezula GC sits on a ridge overlooking one of the biggest lagoons in South Africa.

To get to Pezula we drove east from George to Knysna, and then climbed significantly uphill to get to the resort.

The site has jaw dropping views over the ocean and the saltwater lagoon.

We had an outstanding experience at Pezula. The Resort is something special- one of those places you will always go back to! The staff were warm and friendly, and the facilities were fabulous

But it was the golf course we came to see, and on a sunny, blue sky day we ventured on to the course.

Playing Pezula was a roller coaster ride right from the start, and very challenging...

The land did not strike me as particularly suitable for golf, but more credit must go to the architect because the end result is stunning.

The front nine goes up, down and around the top of a ridge, and is cleverly routed. It has a run of holes that vary enormously, but all feel like they belong together.

The par 5 first hole has a ravine carry, and a semi blind uphill approach to a difficult green. It is too difficult, and takes too long to play for an opening hole, in my opinion.

Still, it does gets your attention, and the course does not let up from that point on until late in the back nine.

There are spectacular golf holes throughout- with strategic bunkering, challenging carries, significant elevation changes, and camera snaps everywhere.

In the front nine, I particularly liked the difficult par 4 second, and fourth holes, and the Nicklaus like par 3 fifth.

The back nine continues the ride with three very interesting holes high on the site followed by the unforgettable 300 metre descent on the par 5, thirteeenth hole.

It takes you back down to the oceanside cliffs, where the short par 4, fourteenth- the signature hole- had us in raptures, taking happy snaps from all angles.

The fourteenth green is set well below the fairway and has the white caps crashing against nearby cliffs as a backdrop.

The green is surrounded by expansive bunkering, and artistically styled wooden paths and steps. It just looks awesome!

The biggest disappointment with the course are holes 16 & 17.

Hole 16 is clearly a connecting hole to get you back up the hill, and is just awkward with severe cross hill fairways and a creek through the middle.

Hole 17 was compromised with a road reroute, and does not have the same interest as the rest of the course.

Nevertheless Pezula was a delight to play, and all who played rated it highly. You will want to return to Pezula!

Peter Wood is the founder of The Travelling Golfer – click the link to read his full review.

Not a bad course with some great views of the Ocean and not to mention playing one or two holes with baboons. However i found this a little too easy and as long as you hit the ball long and straight off the tee you didnt realy have too much of a hassle to break 90. However it is worth playing whilst you are in the area.

I played Pezula in Jan 2020 as a last minute addition to our garden route itinerary. Pezula was in great shape and pace of play was good. There are some spectacular views on the back 9 as the routing goes along the coast. The course is surprisingly playable given the elevation changes and there are a number of holes that play less than their yardage. The only thing that is somewhat annoying is that some holes have fairway run-outs which resulted in having to hit hybrids/irons off tees. Overall Pezula is a fun course to play, its somewhat gimmicky but worth a stop if you are in the area.

Played here in October. All I can say is thank god for golf carts, because I have never played a course with so much elevation change. Overall, this is a fine course with a mixture of spectacular sea views and forest holes. The standout is quite clearly the 14th, both for view and tactical nous required. A hybrid followed by a knock down wedge led to an simple par, however, it is easy to see how this hole could rack up a big score. In a way, that sums up Pezula, it needs to be played a few times so you understand the best lines. Many holes are layups off the tee, and some, like 17, offer you a hero shot for glory or disaster. And once you get to the greens, there is no respite for they have lots of elephants buried in them, and they are fast. I enjoy Pezula, however, it is not a course I think I could play every Saturday.

This was a very nice surprise as I knew very little about it. We played it early in the morning, starting in the amazing back 9 with big level changes and fantastic views of the ocean, specially signature hole 14th, a very creative drivable par 4. Then you go up to the Club House up to 18th and then the front 9 are totally different, with more trees and not so dramatic views. The course is great as therer are very good holes, as 13th (a great downhill par 5), 16th (a very creative uphill par 4) and then dirvable 17th and reachable par 5 18th. But in my opinion, the very best hole is par 3 4th, a long iron or hybrid hole sorrounded by very tall trees, very picturesque. While staying at Fancourt, a day excursion to play here is very suitable, the course maintenance is excellent, the 19th hole is a very nice terrace facing 10th tee and 18th green across the putting green. The course is very playable, score friendly and with some very challenging carries, suitable for low digit handicappers. It is a neighbour to Simola Course, which I believe is smoked by this fantastic venue.

I played here last january and the course was in excellent condition. Service is also great and the only downside on this course is the pace of play. On a busy day (in high season that means every day) a round takes you up to 5 hours minimum. The views on this course are amazing and when the wind is blowing it is a true test! not to be missed!