Pinnacle Point - golf with thrills and sea views

On the rugged coast near Mossel Bay lies one of the most spectacular golf courses in South Africa: Pinnacle Point. The location on a long, dramatic cliff overlooking the Indian Ocean not only offers impressive views, but also challenges golfers with numerous shots over deep gorges and narrow Fairways that nestle against the rocks. Despite all the drama, the course is surprisingly fair to play - provided you have good course management skills and prefer to take a few more balls with you on the round, if only for psychological reasons. Pinnacle Point is part of a private estate, but is also open to guest players. Many villas along the course can be rented, so you can almost walk to the clubhouse. The weather here is as changeable as the fairways are varied - you can experience sun, storms and rain on a single round.

Up and down at Pinnacle Point

From the very first tee, it is clear that you have to expect constant changes in altitude and wind on this course. The first few holes are moderate but tricky. It becomes particularly spectacular from hole 5 onwards, when the course opens out towards the ocean. Long shots over crevices are just as important as precise play on undulating Fairways. The highlight of the front nine is hole 7: a short but windy Par-3 that has to be carried onto a rocky plateau - the ocean rages on the cliffs to the right. But hole 9 - another Par-3 over cliffs, now even uphill - is also a treat.

Spectacular scenery along the cliffs

The second part of the round begins moderately again, but quickly increases in difficulty. Hole 12 is a visual highlight: downhill, flanked by rocks and the sea, it requires a straight tee shot. This is followed by hole 13, the signature hole - a Par-3 with a tee shot from a rocky outcrop over a deep gorge, including Cape marmots as spectators. Hole 16 requires precise shots over a maximum of 579 meters before things get serious again on 17: the longest par-3 of the round measures up to 226 meters and is well defended by bunkers. The final hole, a Par-5 back to the clubhouse, demands a courageous shot over bushes or a tactically safe three-shot plan towards the green, before the final putt is made on an exposed green on the cliffs below the clubhouse. Despite the spectacular scenery, the course is also suitable for amateurs. Five tee boxes per hole allow individual adjustment to the player's skill level and form on the day. However, the wind, height differences and narrow landing zones require concentration - and turn every round into an adventure.

After the round, it's worth making a detour to the clubhouse. Especially from the terrace with its own bar on the upper floor, you can enjoy a unique view of the course and the Indian Ocean. The well-stocked pro store also makes golfers' hearts beat faster. Pinnacle Point is more than just a golf course - it is an experience. Those who love a challenge, panorama and nature will experience unforgettable rounds of golf here. There is just one thing you should definitely bring with you: enough balls.