A Slice of the Cape: Worcester Golf Club

Having played a lot of golf on lush, wide courses over the years, it was a new challenge to tackle the thin fairways of Worcester Golf Club. The Karoo shrubbery rubs up very closly to the fairways, meaning you have little room for error off the tee. The course is also loaded with bunkers and water hazards, so you have to be careful with every shot, as it can be unforgiving.

Having said that, the natural beauty of the course makes the challenges seem insignificant at times, as you can't help but just stare off into the distance and take in the gorgeous mountain ranges that surround you.

Other than some fantastic golf on offer, the club has a halfway house stacked with all your favourite drinks, treats, and eats to refuel you for the back 9, a pro shop with all the essentials, and a bar for your much-deserved 19th hole cold one.

I really enjoyed playing Worcester, not just for the challenges it presents, but also because it is immaculately maintained in an area where you would imagine it would be very difficult to do so. Kudos to the greenskeeper.

The Par 5 16th will test both your long and short games. I enjoy having the licence to open up with the driver, while at the same time being tested by a number of hazards. This hole features water, a green surrounded by bunkers, and a quick putting surface that can quickly turn a good score into a nightmare. I picked this particular hole as my favourite because it is just so beautiful to play. I mean, look at the picture above!

At first glance, the Par 4 3rd hole looks pretty straightforward. It has a relatively wide fairway for the course as a whole and it plays straight up from the tee box.  However, because the hole is designed to run up a hill, it causes all sorts of depth perception issues. Judging the length of your second shot is super difficult, while a pesky bunker on the right of the green got me. It got me good, folks.

There is very little relief from the elements on the course, with the majority of your playing time spent in the direct sun - and it gets hot in Worcester! Be sure to apply plenty of sunscreen, fill up those water bottles, and slide that lip balm into your pocket.

NB: Don't forget to pack extra balls, as the Klein Karoo vegetation likes to swallow them up...

I'd recommend staying over if you are heading out from Cape Town to play the course. There are a number of Airbnb options to choose from - both for groups if you are heading out on a golf tour or for those squeezing in a two-ball. I chose to stay at Sun International's Golden Valley for this particular adventure. The hotel has an old-world charm to it and provides a very comfortable stay. There are shuttle options available to the course from Golden Valley, but you do need to pre-arrange this option.

When you've had your golfing fun, there is a lot to explore in the area. At Golden Valley, there is a casino with slot machines and tables - as well as a sports bar, while a new offering of quad biking through Wild X Adventures gives you a chance to explore the rough and tough landscape - unless you've had enough of that looking for your balls on the golf course.

For those who enjoy wine, the Breede Valley region is known for its chenin blanc, with a number of wine farms providing tastings. I visited Merwida in nearby Rawsonville where their award-winning wines hit all the right notes. My personal favourite was the sauvignon blanc.