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.
La Quinta St, Silver Lakes Golf Estate, 0081, South Africa
Holes: 18 Par: 72 Length: 6640 meters Slope: 150Silver Lakes Golf Club is famous for its comprehensive golfing facilities. The club boasts a state-of-the-art driving range, allowing golfers to hone their skills with ample space for practice. The…
52 Jacobus Opperman St, Pretoria Townlands 351-Jr, Pretoria, 0187, South Africa
Holes: 18 Par: 72 Length: 6713 meters Slope: N/AServices Golf Club in Gauteng, South Africa, was initially established for members of the four service departments. In 1994, the club opened its doors to the public, inviting golf enthusiasts…
1 Jack Nicklaus Drive, Serengeti Golf and Wildlife Estate, Kempton Park, 1530, South Africa
Holes: 18 Par: 72 Length: 7096 meters Slope: N/ASerengeti Estates boasts the opulent Jack Nicklaus Signature layout, making it a premier golfing destination in South Africa. Conveniently located near OR Tambo International Airport and the R21 highway, it…
Hole-In-One Ave, Ruimsig, Roodepoort, 1732, South Africa
Holes: 18 Par: 72 Length: 6666 meters Slope: N/ARuimsig Country Club, formerly Roodepoort Country Club, is one of South Africa’s most challenging championship golf courses. Nestled in the serene countryside of Ruimsig, west of Johannesburg, this course is…
1 Prince George Ave, Gov Gold Mine Areas Cons, Brakpan, 1541, South Africa
Holes: 18 Par: 72 Length: 6395 meters Slope: 129Celebrating its first-century anniversary, Royal Oak Country Club in Brakpan, Gauteng, stands as one of the most cherished golf courses in South Africa. Renowned for providing a complete golf experience,…
Mario Milani Dr, Vereeniging, 1929, South Africa
Holes: 18 Par: 72 Length: 6242 meters Slope: N/ALocated on the scenic banks of the Vaal River in Gauteng, Riviera on Vaal Country Club is a tranquil escape from city life. This 18-hole, par 72 course offers a…
1449 40 Fore St, New Redruth, Alberton, 1449, South Africa
Holes: 18 Par: 71 Length: 6552 meters Slope: N/ASituated in Alberton, just south of Johannesburg, Reading Country Club offers a harmonious blend of modernity, tradition, nature, and ambiance. This 18-hole golf course is set in a classic, tree-lined…
Uitvalfontein, Randfontein, 1730, South Africa
Holes: 18 Par: 72 Length: 6488 meters Slope: 140Randfontein Golf & Country Club is a distinguished 18-hole wooded parkland course that offers golfers a tranquil escape just 40km from the bustling Johannesburg CBD. This course, originally designed by…
241 Sidney Avenue, Waterkloof, Pretoria, 0181, South Africa
Holes: 18 Par: 72 Length: 6459 meters Slope: N/ANestled amidst the beauty of Pretoria’s Waterkloof, Pretoria Country Club offers a haven for sports enthusiasts and social butterflies alike. Renowned for its top-notch facilities, the club centers around a…
Tonk Meter Dr, Pollak Park, Springs, 1559, South Africa
Holes: 18 Par: 72 Length: 6531 meters Slope: N/ASteeped in South African golfing history, Pollak Park Golf Club began its journey in 1921 as “Springs Mines and West Springs Golf Club.” Originally a modest 9-hole course, it catered…
307 Aquamarine St, Pretoria, 0037, South Africa
Holes: 18 Par: 71 Length: 6293 meters Slope: N/AA golfer’s paradise awaits just outside Pretoria at Pebble Rock Golf Course. This challenging 18-hole course, a short 25 kilometers from the city center, offers a unique blend of beauty…
Cnr of Wicklow and, Emmarentia Ave, Parkview, Randburg, 2193, South Africa
Holes: 18 Par: 72 Length: 6545 meters Slope: 140Steeped in history, Parkview Golf Club stands out as a premier golfing destination in South Africa. Founded in 1916, it seamlessly blends its illustrious past with a modern golfing experience….
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