Each year Cape Town becomes more of a cosmopolitan hub for all kinds of international guests. So much so that it’s now a leading destination for digital nomads who simply can’t get enough of the Atlantic Seaboard, Table Mountain and the scenic beaches of Clifton and Camps Bay.

For golfers, though, there is a different side of Cape Town to enjoy. A trip south towards the peninsula opens up into a brilliant golf tour location where you can get the best of the area without the congestion and chaos of the city.

WESTLAKE GOLF CLUB

Nestled under the Silvermine Nature Reserve is Westlake Golf Club, a natural first stop on such a trip. Westlake has seen golf played on its grounds since the early 1930s and is now consistently the course with the most rounds played on it annually in the country.

It’s a fine example of a traditional Cape course, mostly flat and not too long, with tree-lined fairways placing a priority on accuracy. The tricky par fours in particular best define the challenges of Westlake. Threaded drives according to fairway shapes and tree lines will be the name of the game, something that becomes that much more tricky in the prevailing local winds.

Having played host in recent years to Sunshine Ladies Tour and Ladies European Tour co-sanctioned events, it also has a proud history of hosting the country’s top amateurs in competition play. All of whom have enjoyed the friendly hospitality of the club on and off the course.

Clovelly Country Club and Steenberg Golf Club are the two neighbours that round off the travel experience, with both offering something unique.

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STEENBERG GOLF CLUB

A mere 3km from Westlake, Steenberg Golf Estate takes the golfing experience to a whole new level. Cape Town’s first golf estate, it is also one of the most upmarket addresses to have in the region. With vines framing some holes and towering mountains framing others, there is a lot to take in on a course that is known for its world-class conditioning and mesmerising design aesthetics.

Another appealing factor of Steenberg is that is one of the few Cape courses that boasts a full-length driving range for use before your round.

Whether that helps or hinders your game, there is a luxury boutique hotel, restaurants and wine estate on the property to enjoy after your round.

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CLOVELLY COUNTRY CLUB

A short (and incredibly scenic) drive from both courses into the seaside town of Fish Hoek reveals the much-loved Clovelly Country Club. Like Westlake, it is one of South Africa’s busiest courses thanks to progressive member packages and a pay-as-you-play greenfee structure.

It’s also a club that makes it easy for visitors to feel at home, with just under half the annual rounds being enjoyed by local and international guests.

Clovelly is a testing mix of risk-and-reward holes, and beautiful scenery aside, it is also pretty much the only course in and around Cape Town that isn’t connected by a major highway or main road structure. Teeing it up here you are in your own golf world so to speak, making the course unique in just about every way.

Set in a beautiful valley with ocean views towards the east, you would be forgiven for wanting to play more than just one round here.

Though small in nature, Clovelly also has a wonderful driving range and practice area below their clubhouse. There’s a variety of greens allowing for a mashie golf experience for all levels of the game, along with comprehensive teaching facilities.

The Raymond Ackerman Golf Academy, which is an educational, life skills and sports-based outreach programme for high school students living in nearby areas, is also based here.

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TROY WINFIELD/SUNSHINE TOUR/MARK SAMPSON/CLOVELLY CC/PHILIPPA BYRON/SUPPLIED