Pinnacle Point - Western Cape - South Africa
1 Pinnacle Point Road,
Mossel Bay 6506,
South Africa
+27 (0) 44 606 5300
3-hour drive E of from Cape Town
Contact in advance
Carl van der Linde
Quintin Byleveldt
According to Peter Matkovich – the architect behind Pinnacle Point – this is: “The most dramatic golf course site I've ever encountered anywhere in the world!” Voted one of the ten “Best New Courses of 2006” by Travel and Leisure magazine, Pinnacle Point was destined for a top spot in South Africa’s Top 100. The following passage is what Gordon Turner, writing for Travel and Leisure, had to say about Pinnacle Point: “Perched atop staggering cliffs, this windswept course four hours east of Cape Town and a half hour south of George marks a major addition to the already world-class golf scene in South Africa. Seven holes play across chasms to greens that seem to be floating in the Indian Ocean. The yawning ravines and distant horizons make 150-yard shots look twice that length. On the par-four eighth, tee and green sit on opposing bluffs; big hitters can attempt an all-or-nothing carry in the hope of driving the green, or else bail out to the left and face a much longer approach.” |
Reviews for Pinnacle Point
Why this course is so low on this list amazes me. Such an incredible course. Its very tough and i think that alot of golfers have bad rounds and mark it down. No hole is alike, you have to hit long and straight, or sometimes just straight and play very tactically. Hole 7 is an incredible hole and one of the best that i have played in South Africa. Staff are friendly as well. Not for novices, but worth 2 rounds off the back tees to really enjoy this. Bring your camera and lots of balls.
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See other reviews from Craig Robinson
It is easy to overlook Pinnacle Point with all the other great courses in the Western Cape, but it is a must visit. I played here in November 2020 with my father and what a round we had.
It is picturesque with sea views from almost every hole, and we saw dolphins on numerous occasions. The service is of course fantastic and if the wind blows, you are in for a tough day. The greens are wonderfully slopey.
This is a really fun course to play, with many canyons and cliffs to play over. My favourite was the par 4 8th, bail out left and assure yourelf of a par, or go for it over the cliffs - it is easily reachable in 1 with a well struck driver or 3 wood.
We stayed on site and only paid £55 to play which for such a well maintained course is incredible value.
I feel it could rank higher in official rankings for the area.
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See other reviews from Spencer Milton
Pinnacle Point is probably one of the most difficult golf courses in the world. Course rating from the back tee is 76,3. But also, without doubt, among one of the world’s most scenic. Whether it is the first or second quality that is the reason for it being voted by World Golf Awards as being the best golf course in South Africa from 2016 to 2020, I don’t know.
The nature is fantastic and the course is simply impossible for the ordinary golfer to play just close to your handicap, and even the very best playing pros are having difficulties playing it to par. Some call it a risk-reward course. I don’t agree. It is a dead or alive course. Especially for 3 of the par 3 holes. Either you hit the green, are in the ravine or the ocean. There are no other options.
To the green fee you have to add a golf cart, because you are not allowed to walk. But it is a beautiful drive and an exciting experience. If you go to play it, be sure to bring many extra balls, because you are not allowed to go into the rough to pick it up. It is lost . . . I was lucky to play it twice in no wind. Wonder how many balls I would have lost in strong wind!
PS.:
The Award, apparently is given to the course by ordinary golfers participating in a voting process facilitated by and on World Golf Awards home page. As I can see it there are no specific criteria to relate to, just click on one of the nominated golf courses.
In Denmark, for example, this year there are 6 courses to choose between. My question is: how and who are selecting the nominees and how many golfers are voting, and especially how many members from one of the nominated clubs? I could mention one or two more clubs in Denmark that I think deserve to be among the nominees.
It is really difficult for me to understand, the selection and voting process as well as the result, unless you, in the case of Pinnacle Point, votes Yes to: “this is the most scenic golf course in the whole of South Africa”.
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See other reviews from Finn Havaleschka
I played the course twice within 3 days. What an fun and enjoyable course. You need a buggy and I'm not a fan, but it didn't impact on the experience. If staying around George, don’t miss out on this this course. Stunning views, especially when playing towards the clubhouse. The first day there were gusts up to 55 mph, on the second the wind was nearly in the complete opposite direction and gusts up to 15 mph. What this help show was how well designed the course was for different conditions. On most holes there is plenty of room off the tee to find a fairway and if the wind gets your ball you are likely to be in a lateral hazard and can take a drop. After a brutal first day, all 12 of us enjoyed the challenge so much we wanted to play again even if the conditions were the same. Fortunately, on the second day the wind down and you can start choosing better lines off the tee.
A good set of par 3’s. The shortest I the 7th, downhill and only 111 metres off the white tees with wind across towards the cliffs one day and downwind the next. The 16th, par 5 stroke index 1 was a 9 iron third shot one day and all of us were struggling to reach it in 3 second day. These two holes are an indication how it was a totally different experience to play from one day to the next, as it was for all 18 holes.
The stimp reading was 9 for the greens both days, understandable first day, and they were smooth. Condition of the course was excellent.
Sit back and have a well earned drink in the clubhouse with stunning views after the round.
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See other reviews from Mark
Probably it is one of the most picturesque fields and one of the best golf courses in the Garden Route and TOP 10 in South Africa. I had played here 3 times in the middle of January, condition of fields was pretty good, greens could be faster (too slow for me). They have really 5 stars villas and apartments resort with acceptable price and discount for residens to play golf. I was bit dissapointed regarding driving range. It was somewhere outside fields and our company of players didn‘t reach it all week lived here. Golf cource is extremaly challenging, especially when windy. For example, one day when was relatively quiet, I over hit the green with PW in 7 hole (was 139 y to pin, bit downhill)...but next day with front wind I didn‘t reach green with 9 iron! Definitely I’m not pro player, but wind here make miracles. Some of this holes really eating your balls Especially 8th and 9th hole, also 13th with 18th. The 5th hole and 18th hole is calling to do risky long drive for an eagle chance...to be with second on the green, but everything depends on wind. Hole No. 8 is a true “Risk and Reward” hole – possibility to reach green from the tee turning your sensible mind off ... Actually every golf course rating is always a subject with a lot of subjectivity, depending on various criteria. I always rating by the following criteria: course complexity or challenging, fields condition (especially greens & fairways), service (only what you can get: buggie, club rent, condition of clubs, the amount of choice and etc. except staff and other subjective things that depends on your or staff mood), surrounding views or pleasure to the eyes and definitely value for the price. All criteries will be rating from 1 to 5 stars. Concerning Pinnacle Point my personal opinion is follow:
1. Challenging - 5*+ (especially when windy)
2. Condition - 4*
3. Service - 4* (everything OK, excl driving range)
4. Surroundings - 5*+ (surrounding images even prevents concentration of game)
5. Value for the price - 5*
I think it is one of „must be played“ in South Africa. If you want to test your accuracy – let‘s try!
I will be back and not one time.
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See other reviews from Raimondas
Played it for about the third time today. Course - good, condition - okay. Wow factor - 10/10. I cannot imagine there being better wow golf holes in the world than 9, 12, 13 and 18 at Pinnacle Point. Incredible views!!
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