Nestled on the slopes of Helderberg Mountain, Erinvale Golf Club offers stunning views over Somerset West and is surrounded by wine estates and fruit farms near Cape Town. The course, designed by Gary Player, has hosted the South African Open twice, in 2003 and 2004, with Trevor Immelman winning both times. Erinvale remains largely unchanged, aside from some new tree plantings. However, some golfers feel the housing growth around certain fairways is excessive.
Erinvale is known for its expansive green complexes, which feature subtle contours and strategically placed bunkers that challenge even professional golfers. The course layout presents a game of two halves: a relatively flat front nine and a more hilly back nine. Water hazards, including small dams and streams, come into play on several holes in the outward half, while the back nine offers more elevated terrain and intriguing holes.
Among the standout holes, the par-five 13th provides scenic views of False Bay, while the downhill par-four 17th is particularly memorable. The 17th fairway is lined with tall pines on the left and out-of-bounds on the right, leading to a long, narrow green guarded by pot bunkers. This challenging approach demands precision, especially late in the round. Erinvale’s unique layout and beautiful surroundings make it a must-play course in the Western Cape.
