If you are traveling to play golf in Gauteng, the first thing you have to do is throw out your usual yardages. Because Johannesburg and Pretoria sit at roughly 1,500 meters above sea level, the thin Highveld air makes the ball fly about 10% further than it does at sea level. A comfortable 150-meter 7-iron suddenly carries 165 meters. It takes a few holes to trust the math, but this altitude quirk makes the Golf Courses in Gauteng a completely different experience than coastal South Africa Golf Courses.
You see this play out at places like Glendower Golf Club in Edenvale. It is a classic, old-school track that hosted the South African Open eight times between 1989 and 2018. It is a par-72 parkland layout with thick kikuyu fairways that give you a great lie, but the tree lines are punishing. Water is everywhere specifically on 11 of the 18 holes. The 2nd hole, a par-5 they call the “Barn Owl,” is legitimately terrifying. You have to carry water off the tee to a narrow strip of fairway, and if you miss left, you are wet again.
Then there is Royal Johannesburg (they finally dropped the “Kensington” part of their name in 2023). The property has 36 holes, but the East Course is the main event. Bob Grimsdell designed it back in the 1930s, and it hosted the Joburg Open for 11 straight years. Even with the ball flying 10% further, the East Course feels incredibly long. The fairways are tight, and if your approach shots are sloppy, the newly upgraded greens will expose you.
Honestly, Gauteng Golf Courses lack the dramatic ocean cliffs of the Garden Route. What they offer instead are serious, heavily bunkered championship tests sitting right in the middle of the city grid. Whenever friends ask me how to book a golf course in Gauteng, I just tell them to pack extra balls and trust the elevation math.
Old Johannesburg Rd, Clubview, Centurion, 0157, South Africa
Holes: 18 Par: 71 Length: 6424 meters Slope: 137Positioned south of Pretoria, the Zwartkop Country Club in Centurion is gracefully nestled within a prime estate, harmoniously intertwined with a picturesque section of the Hennops River. The course’s design…
1143 Woodhill Dr, Garsfontein, Pretoria, 0076, South Africa
Holes: 18 Par: 72 Length: 6752 meters Slope: N/AWoodhill Country Club boasts an 18-hole championship course meticulously crafted by Peter Matkovich, featuring breathtaking landscapes and striking natural elements. Recognized as the best golf course in 2010 and 2011…
539 Norval St, Wingate Park, Pretoria, 0153, South Africa
Holes: 18 Par: 72 Length: 6514 meters Slope: N/ANestled in the Pretoria suburbs, Wingate Park Country Club was founded in the late 1940s as a golf society rooted in the Jewish community. This is evident from the Star…
Johan Rissik Drive Waterkloof, Eclipse Rd, Groenkloof 358-Jr, Pretoria, 0181, South Africa
Holes: 18 Par: 72 Length: 6759 meters Slope: 136The Waterkloof Golf Club is perched on the Waterkloof Ridge, offering panoramic views of the R21 highway and the Groenkloof Nature Reserve, with the famous Voortrekker Monument in close proximity,…
Rudd Rd, Illovo, Johannesburg, 2116, South Africa
Holes: 18 Par: 71 Length: 6548 meters Slope: N/ASqueezed into a surprisingly tight spot, the Wanderers Golf Club is a testament to Bob Grimsdell’s clever course design. He managed to tuck championship tees into every possible corner. Even…
Genpost Street, Westonaria, South Africa
Holes: 18 Par: 72 Length: 6371 meters Slope: N/AVenterspost Golf Club, located in the scenic town of Venterspost in Gauteng, South Africa, offers a charming and accessible golfing experience. Established with the community in mind, the club boasts…
Links Rd, Driefontein 41-Ir, Sandton, 2191, South Africa
Holes: 18 Par: 71 Length: 6535 meters Slope: N/AFounded in 1967 by businessman Punch Barlow, The River Club Golf Course is an ultra-exclusive golf club situated in the affluent Sandton district of Johannesburg. Known as “the Augusta National…
Zevenfontein 407-Jr, Midrand, South Africa
Holes: 18 Par: 72 Length: 7054 meters Slope: 153The Club at Steyn City, situated between Johannesburg and Pretoria, stands as a premier golfing destination within Africa’s most expansive property. Developed by Douw Steyn, this luxurious estate is renowned…
Hewit St, Gov Gold Mine Areas Cons, Brakpan, 1541, South Africa
Holes: 18 Par: 72 Length: 6500 meters Slope: N/AState Mines Country Club, located in the scenic East Rand of Gauteng, South Africa, is a haven for golf enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. This prestigious club boasts an 18-hole…
Springs Country Club, Springs, 1560, South Africa
Holes: 18 Par: 71 Length: 6352 meters Slope: N/AThe Springs Country Club boasts a beautifully laid out 18-hole course designed in 1937. This historic course offers golfers a delightful blend of challenging play and scenic beauty. In addition…
Mokoka St, Soweto, Johannnesburg, 1809, South Africa
Holes: 18 Par: 70 Length: 5947 meters Slope: N/ASoweto Country Club stands as a symbol of both community pride and sporting excellence. Established in 1974, this renowned golf club has undergone significant renovations to become a premier golfing…
70 Albaster Ave, Mayfield Park, Johannesburg South, 2091, South Africa
Holes: 18 Par: 72 Length: 6454 meters Slope: N/ASituated in Kibler Park, in the southern suburbs of Johannesburg, South Downs Country Club is a picturesque golfing destination nestled among koppies and vibrant birdlife. Established in 1947, originally known…
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