LAND OF PLENTY

SOUTH AFRICA IS A LONG WAY TO GO TO PLAY GOLF FOR MOST PEOPLE. THANKFULLY, THE COUNTRY ALSO OFFERS MANY OTHER GREAT COURSES TO CHOOSE FROM TO MAKE YOUR TRIP WORTHWHILE.

South Africa is one of the premier golf destinations in the world. Fantastic weather, beautiful topography, a great variety of luxury accommodations and a hospitality as warm as you’d find anywhere sets you up for a wonderful trip. But the ultimate attraction is the vast number of top-level courses that you can play. Here are just a few that you can’t go wrong with.

ROYAL JOHANNESBURG & KENSINGTON GOLF CLUB

It has been more than 130 years since golf was played on the land where the club now sits. The actual entity only evolved in 1998 when the Royal Johannesburg Golf Club and Kensington Golf Club merged. Since then, the premier golf establishment in Johannesburg has been host to 11 Joburg Opens and numerous other top-level tournaments.

The East Course is considered the championship layout. Designed by Robert Grimsdel in 1939, the course still holds its own as a classic parkland design with holes framed picturesquely by trees. It underwent an upgrade in 2017 but still maintains much of its traditional charm. Bent grass greens and kikuyu fairway turf make for excellent playing surfaces. The relatively flat topography makes it a great walk as well. Most of the hazards come by way of small ponds strategically positioned or the numerous gorgeously appointed sand bunkers that influence your direction. At 7,001m, the East isn’t considered a terribly long course, but the challenges along the way will certainly keep you on your toes.

The West Course is the shorter of the two (6,225m), and considered relatively easier to play. Greens are larger here, but if you can’t keep your ball in play, the copious collection of trees, and water features will punish you. Designed by former greenkeeper Lawrie Waters, it is actually the club’s older course, having opened in 1927.