Houghton Golf Club

A firm favorite among the Highveld golfing community, Houghton Golf Club’s original design dates back to 1926. A.M. Copland, the club’s first professional, initially designed the course on a densely treed tract of land featuring significant undulation. Despite the passing years, Houghton’s core challenge as a test of golf has remained largely intact. However, to keep up with modern developments in the game, the club appointed the Jack Nicklaus design group to create a new layout.

The new design at Houghton Golf Club isn’t overly long, especially given the Highveld’s rarefied air. Strategically positioned bunkers have been extensively used to catch wayward drives, making club selection crucial in defending the course from longer hitters. The new greens feature rolling undulations and subtle slopes, preserving the course’s integrity.

The parkland layout is interspersed with ponds and dams, and an abundance of flowering shrubs adds variety and color. Adjacent to the greenbelt of The Wilds, the site perfectly complements Johannesburg’s natural fauna and flora. It is also a proclaimed bird sanctuary, home to Egyptian geese, guinea fowl, dikkops, plovers, and various waterfowl.