Pearl Valley Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course at Val de Vie Estate
Pearl Valley Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course at Val de Vie Estate
Pearl Valley Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course at Val de Vie Estate
4
8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday
8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Sunday
8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
About
Nestled in the beautiful Paarl-Franschhoek Valley, 35min from Cape Town and surrounded by majestic mountains, lies Pearl Valley at Val de Vie Estate, South Africa's top wellness estate. As the name implies, our Pearl Valley Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course truly bears the stamp of the world’s preeminent golf course designer. South Africa’s Top 100 Golf Courses, the definitive golf course ranking, placed the Pearl Valley Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course as the second best in the country for 2021. For six consecutive years Compleat Golfer bestowed the Five Star Experience Award on the course. Pearl Valley is distinguished as the epitome of golf and luxury living that allow for peace of mind and unforgettable experiences. Come home to Pearl Valley where you truly can 'Live, Play, Relax'.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
165 reviews
Excellent
83
Very good
44
Average
18
Poor
13
Terrible
7
la
Cape Town, South Africa1 contribution
Sep 2021 • Couples
What a disappointing experience. Having stayed in luxury resorts around the world, I expected Pearl Valley to live up to their reputation. We booked a 5 night stay at the hotel and 3 rounds of golf, we got the most average arrival being told to park our car where we could and bring your luggage to the lounge, okay fine this is not the end of world, but wait. We played our golf and had excellent service on the course. Mostly because we only dealt with 1 person. The rest of week we were chased off the driving range by a rude ‘coach’ even though we had 3 games booked and played the day before and were playing the next day. Apparently you cannot use the range when you don’t have a tee off!? Weird when you would want to practice for your round the next morning and there is no one on the range? We were not greeted by a single staff member and completely ignored at the main restaurant. Eventually a lovely gentleman named Prince came to the rescue and turned out evening around. It didn’t last long when the next day trying to buy a coke and sandwich proved to be the equivalent of solving a rubics cube blindfolded. The staff has no clue what is happening between the 3 restaurants? They take your orders and only at the end when you embarrassingly take out cash, they tell you don’t accept it. The golf carts driving between the hotel and the main area ignored us to pick up staff members. We waited 45 minutes for breakfast (avo on toast) before our second tee off, after that round we ordered drinks and a waitress brought us a round we did not order and then proceeded to argue with me that I did order it, this is the same waitress that told me if I order food and want to pay Cash I should have the exact amount, because of course I learn all menu prices and carry the exact the change wherever I go. Needless to say I took the round because hopefully it would make the day go by faster. Staying at a hotel for 5 nights and not being allowed an access code the entire time. Signing in and out you feel like a stranger, when you have booked to be a guest. At the same time it depends who’s at the gate... so much for security. I could write for days, but if you want a pretentious filled estate with staff that don’t know what time the restaurant closes or anything else that happens in this “estate” then by all means come and sip on the wrong drink on a veranda that no one is sure what time it closes.
Not one manager seen my entire stay. Where are you? Your staff is under trained and rude! Wake up and learn about the hospitality industry.
Not one manager seen my entire stay. Where are you? Your staff is under trained and rude! Wake up and learn about the hospitality industry.
Written September 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
135dustinb
Cape Town Central, South Africa9 contributions
Nov 2020
Day started with mediocor breakfast with 5/10 service - our food went to 3 other tables before it ended up on our table.
Driving range - Found the staff very grumpy and without even saying good morning I was told i can only hit 1 pyramid of balls.
Very disappointing experience, After 18 holes of golf (2 x 4 balls + extra carts for guests - do the maths) we couldn't even get a bottle of wine at 17:30pm on a Sunday.
My overseas guests we very disappointed.
Driving range - Found the staff very grumpy and without even saying good morning I was told i can only hit 1 pyramid of balls.
Very disappointing experience, After 18 holes of golf (2 x 4 balls + extra carts for guests - do the maths) we couldn't even get a bottle of wine at 17:30pm on a Sunday.
My overseas guests we very disappointed.
Written November 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Voyage49376012561
1 contribution
Mar 2024 • Business
This course is worst golf experience of my life and if you ever come to south africa do not play here.
They over priced allot, you can play much nicer garden rout courses for less then half the price.
They have an attitude problem if you not playing a certain time and use there practice facility they chase you away.
My friend once join me there who own he’s own golf cart but the colour is green. He had to drive from southern sub and when he got there they said it is not allowed cart has to be silver. They said he could not play only if he rents a cart from them.
They delete comments in their instagram post.
Last one is the best my friend that lives in switzerland but he is south african came down last month for he’s wedding . He got charged R3100 for 18 holes.
Hope this review helps you decide not to play here and know you are getting ripped off. There is another golfcourse around the corner called Boschenmeer that are not full of rules and much better priced.
They over priced allot, you can play much nicer garden rout courses for less then half the price.
They have an attitude problem if you not playing a certain time and use there practice facility they chase you away.
My friend once join me there who own he’s own golf cart but the colour is green. He had to drive from southern sub and when he got there they said it is not allowed cart has to be silver. They said he could not play only if he rents a cart from them.
They delete comments in their instagram post.
Last one is the best my friend that lives in switzerland but he is south african came down last month for he’s wedding . He got charged R3100 for 18 holes.
Hope this review helps you decide not to play here and know you are getting ripped off. There is another golfcourse around the corner called Boschenmeer that are not full of rules and much better priced.
Written March 6, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Patti R
5 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
Loved Pearl Valley Golf resort.
Beautiful grounds, golf course, and hotel.
Staff very friendly inside and out.
Restaurant had the most excellent sushi!
Felt 100 percent safe.
They are cashless.
Definitely worth visiting.
We didn’t want to leave.
Until next time.
Beautiful grounds, golf course, and hotel.
Staff very friendly inside and out.
Restaurant had the most excellent sushi!
Felt 100 percent safe.
They are cashless.
Definitely worth visiting.
We didn’t want to leave.
Until next time.
Written October 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
William James Mo
Leeds, UK1 contribution
Jan 2015 • Friends
These facilities might well be some of the best in South Africa but they cannot be used except for 1 hour after paying a green fee. What is the point of boasting about such facilities when they are Not available even to tourists occupying Lodges rented through the Administration. You are free to look and admire such facilities all day and every day of your 6 week visit but you cannot partake. Complaints in writing to the Chairman of the General Committee go unanswered. There is some welcome awaiting you at Pearl Valley after your 6 thousand miles journey from the UK.
Avoid !!.
Avoid !!.
Written February 9, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Sir,
Thank you for visiting Pearl Valley Golf & Country Estate and for taking the time to comment on your experience. As discussed with you during your stay, our practice facilities are for members only. However, all golfers are welcome to come and enjoy the driving range and short-game facilities at no extra charge prior to their round of golf. You will understand that we need to protect the interest of our members in this regard. We do however offer a Non-Resident Membership plan for those golfers who choose to stay or rent on our Estate.
Written March 12, 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jacolien Y
Paarl, South Africa352 contributions
Jul 2014 • Family
The restaurant at Pearl Valley is a place where we have been more or less 5 times over a period of months. The experience is not consistent. The menu is fairly small with interesting dishes however it does not always end up on the plate with the same taste and quality.
It is a child friendly relaxed environment with a very sensible indoor activity room for children.
The service is good and friendly.
If you want to make an impromptu visit - first phone as we have ended up early evening at a closed restaurant...
It is a child friendly relaxed environment with a very sensible indoor activity room for children.
The service is good and friendly.
If you want to make an impromptu visit - first phone as we have ended up early evening at a closed restaurant...
Written September 22, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Johannes277
Cape Town, South Africa1 contribution
Jan 2015 • Friends
...after a round, green fee players are NOT allowed to use the range anymore to finish off the day. Even after a talk with the manager, no solution was offered. Not worth playing again, cancelld our second booking.
Course itself certainly well maintained and facilites are above average.
Course itself certainly well maintained and facilites are above average.
Written January 9, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Sir,
Thank you for visiting Pearl Valley Golf & Country Estate and for taking the time to comment on your experience. Our practice facilities are for members only, however all golfers are welcome to use the driving range and short-game facilities for warm up prior to the round at no extra charge. We appreciate your complimentary feedback on the course and facilities.
Written March 12, 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
martin05
Innsbruck, Austria53 contributions
Nov 2014 • Friends
The course is a classic American style course designed by one of the best golf designers in the world. The course has a classic blueprint of real estate country club living. That´s fine if you are looking to imprison yourself in a gated village and live the "life". I found the course to have very little soul. The holes are sometimes inadequate in their playability and proximity and simply lacking in logic which is not typically Jack Nicklaus. It is as if the layout was designed by building engineers and architects and then the Nicklaus company were asked to design between the houses. All in all a typical American concept, not really worth the visit for the visiter looking for some real South African Golf. Also very much over priced with the green fee rates and unfriendly and slightly arrogant staff at the Golf shop! We shall not be back!
Written November 27, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Sir,
Thank you for visiting Pearl Valley Golf & Country Estate and for taking the time to comment on your experience. As you are aware this is a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, personally visited and laid out by Jack Nicklaus himself and since our opening in 2003 maintained in this way. The course itself was in fact designed and laid out first, with the residences and other Estate facilities developed around it afterwards. We’re sorry the course did not meet your expectations. We have addressed your customer service feedback with our Golf Shop staff.
Written March 12, 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
avata_jo
Western Cape, South Africa16 contributions
Feb 2015 • Friends
We've been to Pearl Valley's restaurant on more than one occasion and always had stellar service, even if the food was sometimes a bit hit-and-miss. Unfortunately, our latest experience has me wondering if it is worthwhile to return to the restaurant.
In the restaurant's defense, we were a large group of around 25 people who arrived with very little notice (30 minutes). However, when I phoned to inquire whether they were open and could accommodate us, I was assured that there is ample seating available and that they look forward to receiving us. Upon our arrival we were shown to our seats by very friendly staff, but this is where our pleasant experience ended.
We split ourselves into three smaller groups, seated at separate tables as per my telephonic request. We didn't expect to get served at exactly the same time, but we really didn't expect what happened: One table placed their drinks order... The other two tables had to wait until this table had their drinks before the next table's order was taken. By this time we've been waiting for around 15 minutes. Another 15 minutes later the table's juices was served along with some of the coffees whilst the other half of the table had to wait even longer for the coffees and juices.
All in all we were there for around an hour to only be served drinks. At this point we decided to cut our losses and opted to go elsewhere for breakfast. When we asked what the reason for the delay was, we were informed by one of the waiters that the 10:00 shift of staff didn't pitch up for work.
As a word of advice for the future: If you're short-staffed and somebody phones ahead of time to ensure service, please be honest and tell them this ahead of their arrival... This was a truly embarrassing experience.
In the restaurant's defense, we were a large group of around 25 people who arrived with very little notice (30 minutes). However, when I phoned to inquire whether they were open and could accommodate us, I was assured that there is ample seating available and that they look forward to receiving us. Upon our arrival we were shown to our seats by very friendly staff, but this is where our pleasant experience ended.
We split ourselves into three smaller groups, seated at separate tables as per my telephonic request. We didn't expect to get served at exactly the same time, but we really didn't expect what happened: One table placed their drinks order... The other two tables had to wait until this table had their drinks before the next table's order was taken. By this time we've been waiting for around 15 minutes. Another 15 minutes later the table's juices was served along with some of the coffees whilst the other half of the table had to wait even longer for the coffees and juices.
All in all we were there for around an hour to only be served drinks. At this point we decided to cut our losses and opted to go elsewhere for breakfast. When we asked what the reason for the delay was, we were informed by one of the waiters that the 10:00 shift of staff didn't pitch up for work.
As a word of advice for the future: If you're short-staffed and somebody phones ahead of time to ensure service, please be honest and tell them this ahead of their arrival... This was a truly embarrassing experience.
Written February 23, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Sir/Madam
Thank you for your candid feedback and for bringing your concerns to our attention. Please accept our sincere apologies for any inconvenience caused and for not delivering up to our normal high standards. We take pride in offering our guests an unsurpassed experience in the heart of the Cape Winelands. You are welcome to contact our Food & Beverage Manager at Tel. +27 (0) 21 867 8000 to discuss the matter further or e-mail us via events@pearlvalley.co.za. We thank you once again for taking the time to comment on your experience.
Written March 12, 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
RoViking53
Woodstock, UK5 contributions
Mar 2015 • Friends
Rented accommodation on the complex which was great .however be warned that even though you may have paid £1000. Yes that's right a thousand notes,the proles on the committee that run the golf club,are nothing short of arrogant 😢. As you are not a member of this exclusive golf club,you are not allowed to practice putting or driving until one hour before your t off time. Pro shop staff are arrogant and couldn't care about any customer other than members. Avoid at all costs. Visit Arrabella instead where the welcome puts Pearl valley into the shade.
Written March 8, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear RoViking 53
Dear Sir,
Thank you for visiting Pearl Valley Golf & Country Estate and for taking the time to comment on your experience. As discussed with you during your stay, our practice facilities are for members only. Since you booked your accommodation with an independent entity, we unfortunately cannot take responsibility that the usage of practice facilities weren't clearly communicated to you. All golfers are welcome to enjoy the driving range and short-game facilities at no extra charge prior to their round of golf. You will understand that we need to protect the interest of our members in this regard. We do however offer a non-resident membership plan for those golfers who choose to stay or rent on our Estate. We discussed your customer service feedback with our Golf Shop staff.
Written March 12, 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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