Golf Course, Clubhouse Etiquette and Dress-code

 

Dear Members,

As a premier, first-choice golfing destination, it is important that we not only uphold the highest standards in conduct but also present ourselves accordingly. To ensure we maintain our world-class environment, we kindly remind all Members to adhere to the following golf course, clubhouse, and dress code guidelines:

Dress Code
Ladies:

  • Short, predominantly white socks must be worn.
  • Collared golf shirts are required.
  • No slip-slops, Tekkies, or running shoes are permitted on the course.
  • Bottoms (shorts, skorts, pants, dresses) must be of appropriate length (slightly above the knee), tailored, and without outside pockets.
  • Gym shirts, tights, and cut-off shirts are not allowed.
  • Jeans are not allowed on the course.
  • Only golf shoes with soft spikes are permitted.

Gents:

  • Short, predominantly white socks must be worn.
  • Collared golf shirts must be worn and tucked in.
  • No slip-slops, Tekkies, or running shoes are permitted on the course.
  • Shorts and pants must be of appropriate length (slightly above the knee), tailored, and without cargo pockets or outside pockets.
  • Gym shirts, cut-off shirts, and athletic wear are not allowed.
  • Jeans are not allowed on the course.
  • Only golf shoes with soft spikes are permitted.

Clubhouse Dress Code & Conduct
Ladies & Gents:

  • Smart-casual attire is expected in the clubhouse after play, especially when freshening up and changing clothes.
  • No revealing or gym attire is allowed.
  • Please dress appropriately for a refined atmosphere.
  • Shoes must be worn at all times.
  • Indecent behaviour or actions that disrupt or infringe on the experience of other members, guests, or visitors will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

On-Course Rules

  • No alcohol consumption is permitted on the golf course.
  • No loud music is allowed during play.
  • All players must check in at the Pro Shop before proceeding onto the course, whether playing with or without a golf cart.
  • Indecent behaviour or actions that disrupt other player’s enjoyment of the course are strictly prohibited.

We appreciate your cooperation and thank you for helping us maintain the exceptional experience Pinnacle Point Golf Club is known for.
 
Wishing you a fantastic long weekend ahead.
 
Best regards,
Quintin Byleveldt,
Director of Golf

Golf Courses Get Stressed Out Too

Managing stress is as important for the grass on a golf course as it is for you and me. Like any living thing, when grass is under too much stress it doesn’t perform well and its health can decline. With golfers demanding excellent playing conditions every day, golf course superintendents are sometimes pushing their course to its stress limits, but they also have to know when to ease off.

When favourable weather conditions are experienced, playing conditions will typically be better. More-aggressive maintenance practices can be performed during good weather because there is not a compounding effect of maintenance and weather stress on the grass. However, when unfavourable weather is experienced – whether it be rain, high heat or sweltering humidity – it increases how much stress the turf experiences. Since the weather cannot be controlled, the only way to manage the total amount of stress on the grass is by being less aggressive with maintenance. Some may think the weather is used as an excuse for slower greens or fairways that aren’t as firm and fast as normal, but weather plays a major role in the stress level of the turf, so it also has a big impact on what maintenance practices can be performed on any given day.

Superintendents adjust their maintenance programs to help a golf course handle heavy amounts of play and other types of stress.

Rounds played are also a factor in a golf course’s stress tolerance. Traffic, whether it be foot traffic or cart traffic, weakens the turf. When traffic is excessive or concentrated it can result in thinning and bare spots because the grass is experiencing more stress than it can tolerate. Superintendents must adjust their maintenance practices to help the turf cope with the amount of traffic it receives, often by adding a little more water or fertilizer, or adjusting mowing heights. A good example is the balance between fairway firmness and cart traffic. If a course has lots of cart traffic, there will be a limit to how dry and firm the fairways can be maintained in order to manage the total amount of stress.
 
Whether it’s preparing a course for a tough stretch of weather or handling heavy amounts of play, maintenance practices must be adjusted to manage turf stress and sometimes a temporary change in playability will result. Superintendents are tasked with managing a golf course to withstand all the stresses experienced every day, all year long. Some stresses can be controlled, while others cannot. Sometimes the course won’t be at its best. Natural variation is part of the game – that’s just “the rub of the green”.
 
Article by Zach Nicoludis for USGA

Dear Ladies,

We had another fantastic win against Oubaai on Thursday, 10th April – well done, everyone!

On Tuesday, we proudly hosted our first league match, playing against Mossel Bay and Fancourt. A big thank you to Michael Fusani for welcoming and introducing the ladies on the tee box.

Both Silver Teams faced tough matches, and despite their efforts, the visitors took the wins. However, our Bronze Team kept their winning streak alive – congratulations!

Thank you to all the ladies for your ongoing commitment and the wonderful spirit you bring to every game.

We’re also looking forward to the start of our Bunnies programme on 8th May – exciting times ahead!

Wishing you all a lovely long weekend.

Happy Golfing!
Gesi Graham
Ladies Captain

Ladies Events Calendar April 2025:

 

  • Tuesday 22 – Ladies IPS/Medal Comp
  • Sunday 27 – Sunday Mixed
  • Tuesday 29 – Betterball Comp

Dear Members,
 
The greens and the course are looking fantastic – a big thank you to Konrad and his team for all their hard work!
 
Please note that there will be no Captain’s Competition this weekend as we weren’t sure how many Members would be available. Our next event will be the Captain’s Sunday Mixed on 27th April, proudly sponsored by Pepson Plastics. It will be a 10:00 AM shotgun start, Betterball Format, with 100% handicap.
 
Following that, we have the Captain’s Monthly Medal on 3rd May, proudly sponsored by Golf Cart Connection. There will be prizes for Best Nett and Best Gross in both the Men’s and Ladies divisions, played off a 100% handicap.
 
Unfortunately, I’ll be away for the next three weeks, but I’m confident you’ll be well looked after by our Captains and the Golf Team.
 
Wishing you and your families a joyful and relaxing Easter weekend!
 
Warm regards,
Iain Pepper
Vice-Captain

Investec 4 Ball Alliance – 16 April 2025

 

A heartfelt congratulations to our winners of the Investec 4 Ball Alliance held on 16 April! With perfect autumn conditions and great camaraderie, the field delivered some impressive scores.

Top Spot:
Philip Greyling, Pierre Grobler, Riaan van Wyk & Monica Steyn – An outstanding winning score of 101!

Runners-Up
Dave Cooke, Roelien Harrison, Nicole Spielmann & Nick Felfoldi – 99
Dawie Louw, Peppy Blake, Deon de Villiers & Cedric O’Reilly – 97

Nearest to the Pin
Ladies:
Hole 9: Renate Meisen
Hole 13: Iryna Jansson
Men:
Hole 7: Luc Meeusen
Hole 17: Deon de Villiers

Thank you to all the players for a fantastic day on the course. And a special thank you to Investec for your continued support in making these events possible.

See you at the next tee-off!

Captain’s Saturday Masters Theme Major Series – 12 April 2025

 

The Masters spirit was alive and well at our latest Major Series event! With a strong turnout and some tight scoring, the competition was fierce across the board.

Top Performers
Hannes Hamman – 82 points
Marianda de Villiers – 81 points
Lesley Gallacher – 79 points
Rounding out the top five were Lars Jarner, Iryna Jansson, and Lynnette Wolhuter, all scoring an impressive 78 points.

Nearest to the Pin
Ladies:
Vivienne Wentworth
Men:
Duane Scholtz

Thanks to everyone who joined us for a fantastic day of golf. We look forward to seeing you at the next competition.

Van Alphen Brothers Fly the South African Flag at World Amateur Match Race

 

Pinnacle Point Estate Member, Justin van Alphen, alongside his brother Damion van Alphen, proudly represented South Africa at the prestigious World Amateur Match Race Finals. Hosted across the iconic Dubai Creek, Trump International, and Montgomerie golf courses, the event showcased the very best in global amateur golf.

The World Amateur Match Race is the largest amateur match-play tournament globally, with the finals bringing together 72 golfers from 15 nations in a spectacular display of skill, sportsmanship, and passion. Selected from playoffs involving over 40,000 entrants from 6,500 golf clubs worldwide, these top-tier amateurs competed not only for pride but for the pure love of the game – a truly universal language.

After three fiercely contested rounds, Justin and Damion secured an impressive 5th-place finish, earning well-deserved recognition on the world stage. Congratulations, gentlemen! Your performance has made Pinnacle Point – and indeed the entire country – proud.

A huge congratulations to former Academy member Kass Muller, on winning the Pinnacle Point Open Championship, played over 36 holes on a score of 140. Very proud of you.

The Stinger GC Foundation is more than just a charitable initiative – it’s a movement built on the power of golf, giving, and growth. As the official charitable arm of Stinger GC, competing on the LIV Golf Tour, we are dedicated to making a lasting impact in South Africa and beyond.
 
Rooted in the legacy of the LOUIS57 Foundation, originally founded by Major Champion Louis Oosthuizen in 2009, we have evolved into a united force for hope, opportunity, and positive change.
 
Our Mission:
Through our core values of fun, compassion, growth, and sustainability, we support initiatives that uplift communities, protect the environment, and create opportunities for future champions.

From feeding programs to anti-rhino poaching efforts, we are committed to driving change, fostering resilience, and building a brighter future for all.

Join us on this journey – because together, we can make a difference.

Enter the lucky draw at the Pinnacle Point Pro Shop and stand the chance to win a brand new golf bag! Only valid for the month of April, so don’t miss out.

Stepped back in time at the Point Of Human Origins, Pinnacle Point UNESCO Heritage Site. Thanks to our knowledgeable guide, Christopher Jantjies & archaeologist Dr Peter Nilssen for bringing the past to life. The mosaic tunnel is a colourful prelude to the untamed coastline.” – Frieda Kröhn Lloyd

We are delighted to announce that Pinnacle Point has been nominated for three prestigious awards by The World Golf Awards 2025:

South Africa’s Best Golf Course, Africa’s Best Golf Course & The World’s Best Golf Course!

This recognition from the World Golf Awards, the leading authority in golf tourism, is a true testament to the exceptional experience Pinnacle Point offers. Now, we have the incredible opportunity to be crowned the World’s Best Golf Course – and we need your support! Every vote counts, & with your help, we can achieve this remarkable milestone.

Please take a moment to vote for us:

Thank you for your ongoing support and for being part of our journey.

Want to become a great putter?

To excel on the greens, you need to master three essential skills: Starting the ball on your intended line, controlling your speed, & reading greens accurately.

If even one of these areas is underdeveloped, your putting performance will suffer. The best putters share a solid foundation in core skills, even though they may use different techniques & green-reading methods. Many golfers struggle with putting because they focus on the wrong aspects, without understanding what drives improvement.

Let’s change that. Ben will help you refine your technique, build confidence, & unlock the real keys to great putting: 071 194 5326 (available on WhatsApp).

 

Better short game, lower scores Challenge yourself

Last week we asked for volunteers from the 12 – 24 handicap range of golfers to take part in our 10-Shot Challenge. A round of golf where we prove that with a better short game you can take up to 10 shots off your scorecard.

The In the 70s

That means that if you’re shooting scores in the mid to high 80s, you could be shooting scores in the 70s. That’s a different experience on the golf course. That’s a different status as a golfer. That’s ambition.

Improve my short-game in ’25

That ambition is going to require improvement in technique, possibly an upgrade in equipment, and some practice. But it’s all worth it in the end. The starting point is a short-game assessment. From there, we can plan your journey.

 

Have you played from 70 metres?

A really good idea is to come out to the club when it’s not busy or at the end of your day and play 9 holes from 70 metres. Let us know when you break 27.

That opens up the options around discrete model designs. Do you need help increasing the launch angle on your #7 iron without increasing spin rate? Do you need a lighter club to offer you more swing speed? Does your club need less offset and more workability while still being forgiving?

 

 

That opens up the options around discrete model designs. Do you need help increasing the launch angle on your #7 iron without increasing spin rate? Do you need a lighter club to offer you more swing speed? Does your club need less offset and more workability while still being forgiving?

 

 

How much assistance do you need with shot shape? What about face angle at impact? How much can the club be personalised to your golf swing?

There is so much data now to help us personalise and fit each golfer for THEIR solution.