Simola and Pezula occupy two of the most stunning golf course sites in the Garden Route, one in the hills and one on the cliffs. Both designed by Americans, both golf cart compulsory, another connection between them is possessing two of the more awkwardly challenging opening holes to begin the day on a golf tour. Both are lengthy par 5s, and not the sort of three-shot holes that gift you simple pars. I was relieved playing at Simola to learn we were starting our round on the tenth, because of work being done on the fairway bunkers at No 1. No 10 is a strong par 4, but I’d prefer to face that than a testing 500-metre par 5 that requires a solid drive, then an exceptionally good second shot to squeeze over a ridge into the fairway short of the green, so that you can see the flag for your third shot. Anything short of that ridge leaves you with a blind approach. I’d rather play it when I’m warmed up. Simola provided us with a brilliant day’s golf though. It is an exceptional experience, a fabulous variety of holes, clever design features, breathtaking scenery and world-class greens.