Steenberg Golf Course Review

A mere 20 minutes drive from the bustling heart of Cape Town nestled in the tranquil Constantia Valley, against the slopes of the Steenberg Mountains is one of the most sought after locations in South Africa, Steenberg Golf Estate. A parkland’s look 18 hole championship golf course designed by Peter Matkovich which meanders through the vineyards is a picture perfect course that holds a peaceful atmosphere. As you drive into Steenberg you will feel that you are a million miles away from reality with the tranquil atmosphere Steenberg possesses. Steenberg has a luxurious 5-star hotel a spa and a state of the art winery.

If you want security, Steenberg would be the place to live as they have just installed a R25 million security upgrade (2009) making Steenberg one of the most secure estates in South Africa. The estate has 2 restaurants - one at the winery called Bistro 1682, the other Catharina’s is at the hotel. Properties in Steenberg range from between R8million to R25million.

Steenberg has a number of first class facilities that you can make use of so be sure to get down to the course well before your round to utilise these facilities. The full practice range is conveniently next to the 1^st tee with a putting green. The course is fairly easy to walk but if you prefer, caddies and carts with GPS are available.

Steenberg's driving range with a lovely view of the mountains and vineyards.

The Course:
The front 9 is relatively flat and sheltered from the wind making great conditions for some good holes before hitting the more picturesque and challenging back 9.

The 1^st hole is a good opening hole with the driving range on the right to give you some leeway from the nerves on the 1^st tee box. The approach is quite challenging which is where this hole gets it stroke 2 status from.

The feature hole on the front 9 is the most beautiful and challenging par 3 7^th surrounded entirely by water and bunkers, this is a hole you will never get tired of playing.

Steenberg's majestic 7th hole, Par 3 - Looking back on the hole

 The par 4 9^th hole which has a narrow uphill fairway with a waste bunker on the right and thick rough on the left makes it tough to hit the green if you miss the fairway, this hole will be a nice challenge before half way. Most golfers still have about 155 meters uphill to the pin for their approach with a bunker guarding the front of the green.

 The half-way house is very spacious and organised with great food. The most popular choice on the menu is a chicken burger with chips or salad; alternatively there are many other healthier options to choose from.

Steenberg's half-way house where you can sit inside or outside

 Onto the beautiful, more challenging back 9:
Be sure to have a few warm-up swings on the 10^th tee box to loosen up, as you have water down both sides of the fairway on this hole.

The feature hole on the back 9 is the par 3 14^th which has the largest green in South Africa at over 60 meters in length. Do not forget to look at the design of the ridge behind the green on the tee box which is an exact replica of the elephant’s eye mountain range above! Be sure to get the distance right or you are going to have a loooong tricky putt.

Steenberg's 14th hole par 3 from the tee box

A view of Steenberg's huge 14th green

The toughest hole for me on the back 9 is the par 4 15^th hole 400 meter stroke 1, which plays into the wind more often than not. Do I need to say more…?

Looking back on Steenberg's 15th hole which is the stroke 1

All distances on par 4’s and 5’s are measured to the front of the green. The distances from the front of the greens to the pin are displayed at every tee box and on all the 150 meter markers. The par 3’s have exact yardages to the pin on the tee boxes.

Distance Markers on the par 3's

Overview of the course:
I thoroughly enjoyed the back 9 with every hole being challenging and fun to play with plenty of beautiful scenery, definitely up there with Erinvale’s 2^nd 9. The front 9 is not boring at all with one of the best holes on the course at hole 7 and one of the longest par 5′s in the western cape at hole 5. The difference between this course and other non estate course is that you have out of bounds areas on every hole which the average golfer will struggle with at first but the fairways are nice and wide inviting some big hitting. One thing that people have said about the course and I found out myself is that some of the bunkers are lacking sand which makes them pretty hard and inconsistent.

A look at the 18th green which is outside the bar/lounge area at the club house with bunkers on the left and water on the right which makes for an interesting final hole.

What an experience! A must play course in Cape Town, where the course is always in good condition, with great service from the staff and amazing facilities.

Looking up at Steenberg's 12th hole with a beautiful background.

You are also very much welcome to do some wine tasting up at the winery where the new Bistro 1682 restaurant is located. There is a lovely wine bar and lounge area to enjoy your wine tasting at a minimal cost.

According to Golf Digest, Steenberg is rated 31st out of 100 in South Africa’s Greatest Golf Courses 2009/2010 and the best in Cape Town! It is also at number 11 on the best conditioned courses of South Africa!

Type of Course: Parklands
Designer: Peter Matkovich
Holes: 18
Par: 72
Length:
Championship: rating 72, 6310 meters
Club: rating 71, 5875 meters
Senior: rating 71, 5460 meters
Ladies: rating 71, 5080 meters

 Facilities:
Locker rooms
Pro shop
Half way house
Bar/Lounge
Full Practice range
Chipping and putting areas
Function facilities

The changing rooms with lockers and individual showers.

Green Fees:
Affiliated visitors R550
Non-Affiliated visitors R800
Members Guest R360
No student rate*
Scholars R220
Golf Carts R270
Caddies R160
Clubs for Hire R300 

Address: 11111 Steenberg Estate, Tokai Road, Tokai, Cape Town 7945, South Africa

Directions
From Cape Town city centre travel on the M3 towards Muizenberg. As the highway ends turn right towards Ou Kaapse Weg. Follow Tokai Road around to the South entrance to Steenberg estate opposite the American Embassy. The North entrance is for residents only.

Golf Director: Ian Kenedy
Pro Shop Manager: Greg Mclaughlin
Pro Shop Tel: +27 21 713 1632
Bookings Tel: +27 21 715 0227

Email: proshop@steenberggolfclub.co.za

Website: www.steenberggolfclub.co.za

The Steenberg Winery

Bistro 1682 and Winery:
Bistro Trading Hours: 7 days a week 09:00 – 20:00
Wine tasting Closes at 17:00 daily
Website www.steenberg-vineyards.co.za
Tel: (021) 713 2211

Looking from the wine tasting area towards the restuarant

Catharinas:
Located at the Steenberg hotel and is Open 7 days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Live jazz is played at the Sunday Buffet Luncheons.
Tel: (021) 713 2222

Catharina's restaurant at Steenberg's hotel