Pinnacle Point played on 20 Feb 2020

Pinnacle Point is one of the 50 golf courses on Golf Advisors list of the 50 most scenic courses in the world. Mike Bailey from Golf Advisor starts his evaluation this way “What they’re saying: “Simply put, this course will blow you away. There are views of the Indian Ocean from every hole, and it isn’t just the views. The holes are pretty well designed, too.””

It is very difficult to disagree on the first part of his evaluation. The view from nearly every tee is fantastic and astonishing. But I do not fully agree on the second part that, “The holes are pretty well designed, too.” I can point to many really fantastic golf holes. Question is: are the terms well-designed mostly used because of the view and the wow factor or because of the playing quality.

I can point to a couple of holes that seems to be a part of the course simply because they needed a hole in the given landscape to fill in the gab between 2 holes. Hole number 6 for example. At least; Eza and I agreed: this is a silly golf hole. Overall, this is a target golf course. Short hitter or long, you have to be very precise. If not – just relax and enjoy the view.

Wonder if Mike Bailey from Golf Advisor have played the course himself. My doubt is based on the fact that under Walking he is writing: Yes. Walking the course would probably take you about 6-7 hours. And as a matter of fact; you are not allowed to walk the course.

Anyway, that did not spoil our day. It is a very, very difficult course for golfers of any handicap. For example, 2 of the par 3 holes are neither risk or reward holes. I will call them dead or alive holes. You are either on the green, lost in the cliffs or in the ocean. From most tees the fairways looks fantastic and inviting and most certainly very challenging. Furthermore; on many holes, whether you are a short or a long hitter you face a blind shot either on your first or your second shot.

As mentioned in our introduction to this tour, I prefer to walk a course, because it promotes flow and keep you physically flexible and alert during the round.

Next, I prefer to spend some time on the driving range to warm up and get the feeling of the swing. The interesting thing is that you will have a hard time to find a golf course that need this warm up and the feeling of the swing more than on Pinnacle Point. On this course, you have a small putting green close to the club house that you are not allowed to pitch on, and if you want to warm up you will have to drive 2-3km down the road and out of the resort to find the driving range.

Well, maybe I am just a sour old man because my game did not quite go my way, you may think. And some have a different opinion of the course. In both 2016 and 2017 Pinnacle Point was named South Africa’s Best Golf Course at the Annual World Golf Awards. But sour or not, I wonder; what are the criteria for this award?

I can recommend you to play the course. Nearly everything visible will blow you away. Here you can really talk about a wow factor. But be sure to have some extra balls in your bag. And enjoy the service. The management of this golf and spa resort are at the highest professional level. And the view from all parts of the course are really fantastic.

Fact about Pinnacle Point golf course

The course is designed by Peter Matkovich and 2011 Open Champion, Darren Clarke. There are 5 tees, ranging from 6460 to 4699m. Rating indicating the level of difficulty goes from 76,3 to 66,2. In 2013 Louis Oosthuizen signed a 5 year contract to host his Louis 57 Academy here.

It is a no caddies, carts only golf course.

Course record

Sorry; haven’t got or found any information about the course record.

My game

As you may have noticed in my inspirational note, I made this quote:

“On a recent survey, 80 percent of golfers admitted cheating.

The other 20 percent lied.”

Inspired hereby, I set my goal for the round at Pinnacle Point like this: “My goal will be to break 90, remember to play the back nine and to count all my strokes.” I can truly tell you: I’m not sure if I broke 90, but I’m sure that I did remember to play the back nine and sure that I did count the 4 Gallaway golf balls I left somewhere on the course. And I’m not lying telling you that I made a par on the par 5, index 1, 515m hole 17. That made my day.

From my first time playing Pinnacle Point I knew that I might run out of balls. Therefore I equipped myself with 8 new Callaway balls.

Evaluation: Pinnacle Point Golf Club. Played February 20, 2020

Short summary

Pinnacle Point is probably one of the most difficult golf courses in the world. Course rating from the back tee is76,3. But also, without doubt, among one of the world’s most scenic. Whether it is the first or second quality that is the reason for it being voted by World Golf Awards as being the best golf course in South Africa from 2016 to 2020, I don’t know.

The nature is fantastic and the course is simply impossible for the ordinary golfer to play just close to your handicap, and even the very best playing pros are having difficulties playing it to par. Some call it a risk-reward course. I don’t agree. It is a dead or alive course. Especially for 3 of the par 3 holes. Either you hit the green, are in the ravine or the ocean. There are no other options. 

To the green fee you have to add a golf cart, because you are not allowed to walk. But it is a beautiful drive and an exciting experience. If you go to play it, be sure to bring many extra balls, because you are not allowed to go into the rough to pick it up. It is lost . . . I was lucky to play it twice in no wind. Wonder how many balls I would have lost in strong wind!

PS.:

The Award, apparently is given to the course by ordinary golfers participating in a voting process facilitated by and on World Golf Awards home page. As I can see it there are no specific criteria to relate to, just click on one of the nominated golf courses.

In Denmark, for example, this year there are 6 courses to choose between. My question is: how and who are selecting the nominees and how many golfers are voting, and especially how many members from one of the nominated clubs? I could mention one or two more clubs in Denmark that I think deserve to be among the nominees.

It is really difficult for me to understand, the selection and voting process as well as the result, unless you, in the case of Pinnacle Point, votes Yes to: “this is the most scenic golf course in the whole of South Africa”.

Comments, questions and suggestions are welcome !