Stellenbosch Golf Club — Local services in Stellenbosch Local Municipality

All things considered, a fairly poor experience at Stellenbosch Golf Club. I had a tee time confirmed for 13:30 and upon arriving at the 1st, I was told that I was 18 minutes early and would actually be teeing off from the 10th. Not a big deal, except that after waiting for about 15 minutes, I was told to go back to the 1st again as they were changing groups around. That also meant my tee time was pushed back further as I was then paired with a two ball teeing off at 14:00 - 30 minutes after my arranged tee time (not a good start).

Pace of play is incredibly slow, probably due to the age bracket of those sharing the course. Whilst the advanced age of the members in itself isn’t a negative, it is worth noting for the benefit of newcomers/those passing by as you will need to factor in an extra hour or two for your round, should you decide to play here. However, considering I was already delayed by 30 minutes due to poor organisation, the incredibly slow pace of play really does add to the frustration.

Having passed the turn, and already being so far delayed, I decided to play on through without stopping at the halfway house. Unfortunately the back 10 was even slower and I found myself stuck in a queue on the 11th tee box. At this point, the group behind catches up and I was completely shocked when one of the players starts yelling at me for “cutting them up”, claiming that it was totally unacceptable of me to not have taken a break at the turn as if I was somehow obligated to do so.

Granted, it had been quite some time since we tee’d off at the 1st, but apparently this donut had already forgotten that for whatever reason, his group was given priority and was put on the tee time I had been given and gleefully accepted. Aside from that, he was playing as a three ball which included a woman who could not walk without crutches. This same three ball had completely failed to keep up with the (already slow) pace of play throughout the entire front 9 and forced me to wait up to 10 minutes on every single tee box and every single shot without letting me play through. Despite this, I had to endure this tourist yelling at me about how unacceptable it was that he would have to wait for a one ball in front of him. Note: after the 11th, they did not catch up again despite queues on each subsequent tee box.

I appreciate the irrational behaviours of other individuals cannot be controlled by the club so I do not put any blame on the club for this one individuals delusions. However, the club can certainly enforce better etiquette and introduce rules which require the players to allow faster groups to play through (as is standard pretty much everywhere else, with the exception of the PGA Tour, maybe). Or, they could even consider introducing specific time slots/days dedicated to the elderly and disabled (i.e. those playing with crutches) to avoid this sort of disruption.

Course conditions aren’t great but I suppose they’re not unplayable. Greens are patchy in areas and the fairways are quite dry throughout so there is definitely room for improvement.

Overall, especially given the price to play here, I would recommend going elsewhere. Some courses may be a bit more expensive but are certainly worth the higher price. Whereas other courses (Atlantic Beach Links for example) actually cost less but offer a far better experience and much friendlier clientele.

Unfortunate result really considering the beautiful surroundings - this course really could offer so much more. Or at least, consider reducing the green fees to reflect the standards present. At the moment it feels like a...

One of the worst golfing experiences I’ve had. I made a booking a month in advance of my tee time with written confirmation received from their office, only to arrive and not be on the tee sheet. The pro shop were extremely unhelpful and made no effort to rectify their issue, saying that it was an admin error and could not do anything. I booked as a one-ball and it was confirmed that I would not be put with any other golfers, but ways told that if I wanted to play, I had to play with others. I asked if I could start off the 10th, but was rejected as they weren’t allowing anyone to tee off the 10th. Thank you to Mondli, the starter, who fitted me in and explained to the following fourball of the situation, who were only too happy to accommodate. After taking 2 and a half hours to get through the first 9 due to slow play ahead, it took a further 25 minutes to get food at the halfway house - shocking. When arriving at the 10th, it became apparent that a group of elderly golfers had made their way onto the 10th and tee’d off from there, having not yet played the front 9. Whether they simply made that decision of their own accord or whether they were instructed to, even after I was informed that it wasn’t possible, it became even more clear that the management of the course is non-existent. It took a further two hours to get to the 16th, which is no surprise as there was no marshall on the course watching the speed of play. I walked off the course at the 16th and won’t return. I am sure it is difficult to compete with De Zalze and Pearl Valley on their doorstep, however the issues above do not require a spectacular course in order to be efficient and respectful. Hazendal’s putt-putt course was a better...

Sunday 4th Feb 2018. Booked a tee time of 13.07 for myself and wife to play at Stellenbosch Golf Club. Also reserved a golf cart. Arrived 12.30 to book in and told that no carts immediately available but assured that we would receive one by our tee off time . A club official apologised and said that a group of “less talented golfers “had held up morning play with the result that buggies were still out on the course ( did they have handicaps)Our tee off time of 13.07 came and went still no carts available . We were finally given a cart 30 mins after our tee off time and had to follow several four balls that had been allowed to push in. The first 9 holes took 3 hours .

Looking at various web site reviews it would seem that this regularly happens which the starter confirmed . Furthermore fourballs are let out at 8 min intervals (should be 10 min). With the result that there are just two many players on the course at any one time - the starter agreed. He said that players booked a fourball time and eight players turned up for one time and were allowed to go out causing further congestion.

May I respectfully suggest that you request handicap cert. from all visitors. Have start times of 10 min intervals and increase your green fee to maintain same level of income( your green fees are cheap) . Buy/ lease some more carts. We could all then enjoy...