Simola Golf and Country Estate is one of the most memorable golf experiences on South Africa’s Garden Route, combining a Jack Nicklaus Signature design with dramatic views across Knysna, the estuary and the surrounding Outeniqua Mountains. Set high above the town on Simola Hill, the course feels wonderfully peaceful once you are out on the fairways, with indigenous forest and rolling terrain giving the layout a real sense of place.

The 18-hole, par-72 championship course was designed by Jack Nicklaus and was the first of his Signature courses to be created in Africa. The routing follows the natural contours of the site, using changes in elevation, native vegetation and the surrounding landscape to shape the holes rather than forcing the course into the terrain.

One of the things we particularly like about Simola is its unusual configuration. The course features five par 3s and five par 5s, giving the scorecard a different rhythm from a traditional par-72 layout. There are four sets of tees, allowing golfers to choose a challenge that suits their ability, while stronger players will find plenty to think about from farther back.

The elevated setting creates some spectacular tee shots, but this is not simply a course where the views do all the work. Good positioning is important, particularly when the fairways move across sloping ground or dogleg around natural features. Nicklaus designed the course to reward golfers who think their way around, with strategic angles and well-defended greens making course management just as valuable as outright distance.

Another advantage of the hilltop position is that wind is generally less influential than you might expect on a coastal course. That allows the elevation changes, bunkering and contours to provide much of the challenge instead. Simola has also hosted professional tournament golf, including Sunshine Tour events and the Vodacom Origins of Golf.

Practice and club facilities include a short-game warm-up area, spacious changing rooms, Pro Shop, golf carts and a halfway house. Players also have direct access to the wider Simola Hotel facilities, including dining, spa and gym options after the round.

With Simola Hotel, Country Club & Spa on site and Knysna less than seven kilometres away, the course is easy to build into a wider Garden Route itinerary. Speak to our Golf Travel Experts at Hashtag Golf Travel and we can combine Simola with Fancourt, Pezula and other leading South African courses.