Golfer and Gourmet Nigel Burch explains what you can expect on a typical Golf Planet Holidays’ golf day in Cape Town.
Ah, morning breakfast, nothing like a hearty breakfast as preparation for a round at one of the world’s most revered golf courses, Royal Cape, home of The Cape Open.
South Africans take their breakfast very seriously so at the hotel buffet you can expect everything from steak, boerewors, (the local sausage), bubble and squeak, fried onions, beans, burgers as well as a tantalising array of lighter fare.
Five types of milk, ten cereal options, a display of exotic fruits as fresh as the morning…..it really can turn into a feast….not to mention the variety of teas and coffees.
Allow an hour for this morning banquet, it’s well worth devoting the time.
Into the minibus, clubs loaded and off to Ottery Road, the undistinguished name for the home of the oldest club in Africa, Royal Cape Golf Club.
The meet and greet team will be waiting for you, bags are quickly unloaded and taken to the caddymaster.
The putting green, set in front of the clubhouse looks inviting. It’s well worth spending a few minutes here, these greens are slippery and undulating.
The caddymaster delegates the caddies, most are barefoot and all are well experienced on how to guide you round this challenging course.
Royal Cape must be one of the flattest courses in Africa, if not anywhere, its beautifully manicured Kikuyu grass fairways allow the ball to sit up begging to be hit. Don’t be lulled into a false sense of security…mature trees line the fairways, not in abundance but strategically placed so that second shot or an approach may be tricky. If you can conjure up a hook or a slice out of trouble then this course could suit you.
Nine holes later, it’s halfway house time. It is compulsory to stop after nine holes in South Africa for a cup of tea, sandwich, cake, or even chops or a curry, yes another buffet paradise….and on you go to the back nine…..
The caddies expect a ZAR20 tip after nine holes (£1) so they can recharge their batteries, and rightly so, they have been in and out of bushes, trees, bunkers and may have needed a compass on a couple of occasions, but at the end of the day your caddie has become your friend and guide.
So, a nice short closing par 4 yields a birdie and is much lauded on the club terrace where the post mortems begin……four pints of beer for our 4 ball for £7 ……I like the oldest club in Africa…….
Contact Nigel@golfplanetholidays.com for details of our hosted golf tours or ask him to create your very own personalised golf holiday in South Africa.
