In 2013 Worldgolf.com rated the Milnerton Golf Course 5 Stars for Design, Condition, Service and Facilities.
Milnerton Golf Course is an 18-hole, par 72, 6101 metre challenging coastal course situated just 10 minutes North of the city of Cape Town. It is on the convenient My Citi bus route from Table View and the City.
The course was designed by Golf Data and the fairways are Kikuyu and the greens are Poa Bent mix.
Nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the Diep River, this lush links-type course is fairly flat with few trees. With the sea and the lagoon bordering most holes, and the seven beautiful water holes waiting to claim the wayward shot, it offers a truly unique golfing experience!
Typical of many links-type courses, you will play the first 9 holes out, enjoy a light meal at the halfway house, and then return back to the clubhouse via the second 9. If Golfers are booked off the 10th tee then a ten-minute ride to the other end of the course is necessary. Take this into account when booking!
The course is always in outstanding condition due to our expert resident Green keeper and Ground Staff and being built on a sand base creates the excellent drainage that makes it a favorite venue among golfers in the winter months in the Cape when other courses are unplayable.
On most holes, the sound of the waves breaking on the shore just metres away will remain long after your game is over.
The spectacular view of Table Mountain from almost every hole is breathtaking, while nature lovers will be thrilled at the abundance of birds on the bordering river and around the lakes on the course.
Your golfing experience will not be complete without a well-deserved drink or two and lunch in the Sunset lounge in our Clubhouse, situated just a few paces off the beach.
There you can relax in comfort and reflect on your game while soaking in the splendor of the view over the ocean and perhaps, if you are lucky, spot a Southern Right Whale or schools of Dolphins that visit us on a regular basis.
The course was closed at the start of the First World War and re-opened in 1925. The “9 out, 9 in” Links type layout is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on the West side and Rietvlei lagoon to the East and provides a golfing experience unique to South Africa.
In 1995, the course underwent a major facelift as a result of the development of the Milnerton Links housing estate on part of the course. Some of the original holes were retained, while others were completely rebuilt. The new layout, together with all its features, has proved to be a huge success.
With its glorious and unobstructed views of Table Mountain acting as a backdrop to unsurpassed beauty from most holes, Milnerton Golf Club is truly a wonderful gateway to the “Fairest Cape in all the World”.
The Club took transfer of the land with a multilateral agreement between the Milnerton Municipality and The Graaff Trust, which, in effect, transformed the members into owners of the club. Milnerton Golf Club also has strong parliamentarian connections that include the Honorary President, Sir David Graaff.
The Club has featured well in all the local Western Province Golf Union leagues, having won the Masters, Harry Solomon, The Challenge and the Premier Stephan leagues on various occasions.
Member’s competitions are held on Saturday, Wednesday afternoons and Sunday mornings with the club’s group of loyal stalwarts, known as the “Sunday School” taking over a section of the 1st tee on Sunday mornings, so advance booking is always advisable.
Hole 1 – 6
The outward nine holes tend to play with the prevailing breeze at one’s back and, with what is effectively a double fairway between the 1st and 18th holes, Milnerton’s opening hole is a 363 metre par 4 and long hitters can open their shoulders as crossing the 18th fairway is allowed.
The course opens with four straight par fours before the first of the short holes, with the tee-boxes on the 3rd and 5th almost on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. The 6th hole is played as a par five on competition days but is shortened to a par four other days.
Hole 7 – 8
Moving along past the par-three 7th hole, the layout runs along the Rietvlei River for the first time on the par five 8th hole, which must rank as a serious contender for the course’s signature hole.
With wetlands to the left and a hazard running along the right of the 475 metre hole, the tee shot is particularly daunting, although the fairway opens up significantly at the landing area. The bigger hitter might have as little as a mid-iron in his hands going for the green in two, but the narrow putting surface is tough to hit, with water on the right-hand side, ready to collect any miss hit.
Hole 9 – 12
Perhaps it’s the lure of the halfway house or the knowledge that you will be turning into the wind, but the 392 metre par four 9th hole is full value for its ranking, with a water-fronted green that is not easy to hit.
Turning back towards the clubhouse and the backdrop of Table Mountain, the long 477 metre par five 10th hole must be negotiated before one comes to a fine stretch of challenging holes.
Despite its stroke 14 ranking, the par three 11th hole is no pushover and a par here should put one in the right state of mind to take on another Milnerton beauty in the par four 12th. Rated as the fourth hardest hole, a prevailing headwind sees it play longer than the scorecard’s measurement of 380 metres, with bush guarding the right edge of the fairway and the out-of-bounds of the housing estate to the left.
Hole 12 – 18
Although short, the 13th is another of Milnerton’s deceptively difficult holes, with plenty of water coming into play around the green.
The next hole is a long 175 metre par 3 and if the pin is cut left then you have to negotiate greenside bunkers to reach the hole.
The 15th is another short par four with water guarding the fairway, front and right.
The closing stretch of three holes assumes the perfect recipe for a golf course, comprising a short par four, a reachable par five and a long par four.
All three run back along the Rietvlei River – enough to make any serial hooker of the ball very nervous – and just about any result is possible on these three holes!
Thank You To Our
Milnerton Golf Club is a traditional members’ club and has a dress code. This in many ways is common sense however please ensure that the dress code is followed to avoid any embarrassment.
The basic principle is that traditional golfing attire is worn on the course.
On the Course, practice area and putting greens – all golfers must wear appropriate golf attire (the most appropriate is that which has been designed for golf) – Jeans, or beach-wear are NOT acceptable.
Golf shoes must be worn; other types of footwear will not be permitted. Socks are to be worn.
The minimum standard of dress in the Clubhouse is what we would call smart casual. Normal golf dress is acceptable as is clean casual wear, i.e. open neck shirts, sweaters etc., in all areas of the clubhouse.
Ladies are asked to dress appropriately and in keeping with the intent of the dress code. Hats are not to be worn in the clubhouse. Mobile phones are NOT to be used in the Clubhouse when Prize giving is taking place
It is the responsibility of all members both to comply with the clubs dress policy and to ensure that other members, guests and visitors do as well.
