Pearl Valley

Pearl Valley is in great condition. Drier weather has left bare patches here and there, but fairways and greens are magnificent. Whether by design or not, and with the amount of lush vegetation on the estate, the growth off the fairways is lush and wild. This does shield the houses better and provides a feeling that each hole is framed on its own. The course's aesthetics are improving year on year. My only concern with the vast number of bunkers is that they are not consistent. The clubhouse is a hub of activity with so many families using the facilities. Pearl Valley is an impressive estate with what it offers.

Warren Minster

23 February 2024

The trees have grown since I last played Pearl Valley three years ago, hiding more of the houses on the estate and giving more seclusion to the course in terms of aesthetics. The course was in excellent condition. Greens smooth and like carpets (10.5 stimp), no placing needed on fairways, and bunker sand consistent throughout.

Henry Trevena

19 February 2024

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Pearl Valley is a pleasure to play, yet one challenge with such a Jack Nicklaus masterpiece is that it takes a lot of effort to maintain. There are signs of just how difficult that can be during an intensely hot Cape summer. Greens are superb, fast and true, yet most surrounds are patchy. Notable encroachment of kikuyu on the cool season grass fairways. General conditioning was good though, particularly bunkers.

Hamish Houston

12 February 2024

The Western Cape courses have experienced one of the wettest winters in history, month after month starting in May with the highest rainfall figures recorded in at least the last 50 years. It has been a winter which has tested every course's drainage infrastructure. Some courses, those with good drainage and sandy soil, have coped better than others, remaining open when others are shut. Pearl Valley is one of them. Astonishingly, the course has only been closed on one day, although naturally there have been other rainy days when no one would particularly like to be playing. The maintenance team have used the winter months to spruce up the dams and water hazards, cleaning the edges of untidy foliage and grass to where it again resembles how the course was presented years ago.

Thomas Souness

07 September 2023

A wonderful experience to spend the day at this magnificent club. Such high standards of quality, luxury, service and friendliness from the staff. One of the best practice range setups, perfectly positioned on our way to the first tee. Such a pleasant environment. In the air we spotted raptors and one descended near us and stood in a water hazard close to the third green. After nine we paused at the halfway house and were offered a selection of sandwiches with bread of our choice, not just white or brown. And would you believe the halfway house has a library in the one corner! Course is in stunning condition, notably the greens and fairways.

Richard O'Dwyer

11 February 2023

At this time of year, with high summer temperatures, Pearl Valley is preferable to play in late afternoon. The light is softer, the air cooler, and the course quieter. You also have a greater chance of encounters with wildlife and birdlife. Yet strange how few golfers start playing from 4pm onwards, even though a quick 18 is possible in a cart. With its many trees, abundant foliage, and waterways, Pearl Valley has an ecologically friendly environment that not only makes for a pleasant golfing experience but creates beautiful vistas within the golf course on hole after hole.

Stuart McLean

20 January 2023

Jack Nicklaus weaved his magic thread through what must have been a flat and boring property (contrast Pearl Valley with the landscape of Arabella or Erinvale). The course has aged well and settled into the landscape. Conditioning remains excellent. The uninitiated must beware, like many of Jack's courses, if your game is slightly off you will be spending a lot of time in the sand, so bring a good short game or a bucket & spade!

Hamish Houston

10 January 2023

Spectacular conditioning all year round, and great aesthetics.

Sandor Kovacs

29 December 2022

Pearl Valley remains comfortably the No 1 course in the Western Cape for me, with its conditioning, mix of challenging and risk-reward holes and use of water all combining to create a true championship experience. The greens, tees, fairways and bunkers were all in top condition and with the ever-present summer breezes it makes for a good test of golf.

Chris Wood

18 December 2022

If you like wine, dine & golf, Pearl Valley is the best course to visit around Cape Town. Fantastic views, great design, best quality you can get. Most recommendable.

Markus Jost

17 December 2022

Beautiful course but deadly if your game and shot selection is not on point. One of those courses you'll enjoy when playing well but can hate if you are having an off day as it punishes you.

Willry van Breda

03 May 2022

Everything about Pearl Valley speaks of class. Attention to detail in every category. No weak holes, if anything the only criticism is that the par 3s tend to be the same length. Otherwise the layout is superb offering the golfer many choices on how to play any particular hole. Course always in mint condition, never too dry or too wet no matter what time of year. World-class practice facilities and clubhouse.

Warren Minster

14 January 2022

Shot Values is one of the six criteria on which courses are rated, and Pearl Valley ranks second in South Africa in this category behind the Gary Player CC. Shot Values examines how varied the risk-and-reward holes are on a course and Pearl Valley excels at mixing up those risks, whether it's flirting with bunkers or water or missing a green in the wrong place going for a tight pin. And it has a quartet of interesting and variable par 5s (462, 504, 498 and 450 from the yellow tees) which may entice the longer hitter into taking on bold second shots in search of birdies. Only one, the imaginatively designed fourth, has water close to the green. The 14th has an enormous tree in the middle of the fairway to be avoided off the tee. Anything right of the tree means a long carry over sand to find the putting surface. Virtually every hole on the course offers alternative strategies in the way it can be played, and a thoughtless shot can leave you in awkward situations. And Pearl Valley in the main does not over-emphasise length, something seen as a weakness. Saying that, however, like many modern designs it does not have a short par 3 (other than off the red tees), and three of the four play to a similar yardage. A rare flaw in an otherwise superb layout.

Stuart McLean

09 January 2022

Every detail from the bag drop to the paying of green fees was handled professionally and we were made to feel as if the staff had been waiting just for us. The practice facilities were great and the two other golfers we were paired with fitted in as if we had known each other for years. The course presentation was out of this world and the aesthetics of the surrounding area superb.

Derek Phillips

01 January 2022

A sublime Cape day in June, temperature in the mid-20s, left me with the firm impression that Pearl Valley is an excellent winter destination for golf. The course is in outstanding condition, with the cool-season grass on the fairways thriving in the lower temperatures compared to the heat of summer. The grass with its tight lies is not as forgiving as kikuyu though and requires crisp contact to avoid those dreaded 'fat' shots. Good innovation at halfway to speed up the field with a gas cooker going and the opportunity to build your own burger or steak roll with the ingredients on offer. The men's locker room has been renovated, a significant improvement to what is an attractive clubhouse.

Stuart McLean

25 June 2021

The fairways and specifically the tee boxes are not up to the high standard of previous times I have played at Pearl Valley. The yellow tee on No 10 had hardly any grass on it and many tees were patchy with bare spots. Hollow-tining is only scheduled for the end of April so this should have no impact on condition. Pearl Valley's facilities are some of the best in the country.

Lihan van der Merwe

06 April 2021

Fantastic golf course in many ways, but does not deserve the No 2 spot.

FRED BOWLES

23 March 2021

Conditioning was disappointing with the course showing the effects of the hot windy summer in the Cape. Several fairways had burnt areas and many slowly recovering divots.

Mark Lynam

12 February 2021

Stunning condition, and rivals St Francis Links and Fancourt Montagu for the complete golfing experience. Kudos to Pearl Valley GM Damian Wrigley and his team.

David Frost

10 September 2020

Lovely to play such a good course in such beautiful surroundings. Condition was very good, greens running true and fast.

Lynam

10 August 2020

Pearl Valley is having a busy winter season due to magnificent Cape weather in June/July, with golfers attracted by a course delightful to play at a time of year when the south-easter is absent. The low season green fee for walkers is R550 which represents amazing value considering the condition is as good as you find in peak season. Walking is a pleasure at Pearl Valley; I'm surprised it's not more common. The greens were running true and fast at 10. The balanced variety of tee markers makes for a highly playable, fair and enjoyable layout whatever your handicap.

Stuart McLean

02 August 2020

Pearl Valley was in fantastic condition. The whole experience of checking in, the range, golf, halfway house (smoked salmon and cream cheese bagels), pace of play, etc. was top class. Definitely a must play for anyone in the region.

ed raubenheimer

02 August 2020

Great facilities, great staff, always a pleasure to play the Pearl. Conditioning is magnificent and the whole experience a treat.

Sandor Kovacs

16 April 2020

Creative idea to let grass and reeds grow around the circumferences of the water hazards which has discouraged the settlement of geese.

warren minster

08 April 2020

Course well manicured, greens consistent and true, water hazards crystal clear.

Henry Trevena

05 April 2020

The mastery of Jack Nicklaus created a course where the holes are different and visually appealing (often intimidating). All aspects of your game will be tested. Expect many bunkers (I counted 81) yet the greens are generously sized, so I have gone rounds here without getting in too much trouble. I don't believe there is a weak hole. Although the postcard hole is the par-3 13th, for me the finest hole is the fourth, a par-5 that thrice crosses the same stream, and is a consideration on each shot you play.

Hamish Houston

27 March 2020

There was a lot of sand on the greens though perhaps not enough in the flat areas of the bunkers. The course is wonderful, scenic with many fabulous holes.

Ron Cameron

26 February 2020

Pearl Valley must rank highly among the many Jack Nicklaus Signature courses worldwide. A championship quality layout with an interesting variety of holes, not a weak one among the 18. Importantly, it is fair for higher handicaps, challenging for top golfers. All the trees and foliage on the property have transformed Pearl Valley into an aesthetically pleasing estate. Houses are mostly hidden from view, and it's a haven for wildlife with its wetlands. If there's a flaw it might lie with some of the bunker design. Steep slopes make it difficult to access and step out of bunkers.

Stuart McLean

05 February 2020

Near Paarl, Winelands - Western Cape

Course Summary

Five tees / Par 72

Visitor green fee

Course designer

Contact

Previous ranking

Feature Holes

Accommodation

Practice Facility

Major Tournaments

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Club Champions

Course Record

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