Golf

JHB - Golf Courses

Bryanston Country Club

Bryanston Drive, Bryanston
Tel: 011 706 1361
E-mail: bcclub@icon.co.za

The Bryanston Country Club course plays to an unusual par 73 and is 6 576 metres long. It is a beautiful course with many water obstacles. Bryanston gets in your face early on with two par fives to start, followed by the toughest hole on the course - the stroke one par 412m third. With 13 of the 18 holes featuring water hazards, Bryanston Country Club presents an exacting challenge. Birdies are at a premium and hitting the fairways and the greens is an art to be mastered.

CMR Golf Club

300 Spencer Road, Maraisburg
Tel: 011 472 8060

18 holes

Crown Mines Golf Club

Booysens Reserve Rd, Crown Mines
Tel: 011 496 1505/6

Crown Mines Golf Club and its 18-hole course are situated near to the popular Gold Reef City. If you struggle with an up-and-down round, fear not - there's a much wilder ride awaiting you at this entertainment complex, which is home South Africa's biggest rollercoaster. The par 72 course plays long at 6 914 metres, presenting a challenge to golfers but also offering rustic charms that can be appreciated while walking the long layout. Accommodation can be found at Gold Reef City, where the buildings reflect turn of the century Johannesburg.

Dainfern Golf Club

Cedar Rd, Dainfern Estate, Bryanston
Tel: 011 469 0101
E-mail: golf@dainferndha.co.za

The Dainfern Club course was designed by golfing legend Gary Player, who incorporated the Jukskei River and valley in his design. A number of holes cross the river and water is a prominent feature of the course, which plays 6 580 metres long and is a par 72. Dainfern is situated half an hour away from the hustle and bustle of Johannesburg and also houses a residential estate.

Durban Deep Golf Club

Main Reef Rd, Roodepoort
Tel: 011 763 5892

18 holes

Glendower Golf Club

Marais Rd, Edenvale
Tel: 011 453 1013
E-mail: glengolf@mweb.co.za

The Glendower Golf Club is situated in the upmarket suburb of Bedfordview and is a real tester. There are 85 bunkers, creating a tough series of obstacles, while water features are on 11 of the 18 holes. Trees are also in abundance on the course, which plays 6 770 metres long and is a par 72.

Glenvista Country Club

Vorster Ave, Glenvista
Tel: 011 432 3150

Water is a prominent feature of this superb golf course that boasts 18 excellent bent grass greens made to United States Golf Association standards. There are five dams included in the layout, four of which come into play. The course is rich in bird life and an effort has been made to incorporate South African trees with 400 indigenous species planted recently.

Houghton Golf Club

Second Ave, Lower Houghton
Tel: 011 728 7337
E-mail: hgc@global.co.za

The Houghton Golf Club boasts one of the top courses in South Africa. The fact that it is regularly used to host the South African Open speaks volumes about its wonderful condition and challenging layout. Gary Player won three of his record 13 South African Open titles here (he also won three at Royal Johannesburg). It also the course that hosted the 1993 South African Open won by Ernie Els with a 15-under par score of 273 - a victory that set him on the path to golfing superstardom. In 1995 it was chosen to host the inaugural Alfred Dunhill Challenge between the best golfers from southern Africa and Australasia - demonstrating just how highly this magnificent course is rated.

Johannesburg Country Club

Napier Road, Auckland Park
Tel: 011 710 6400

36 holes

Killarney Golf Club

60 Fifth St, Lower Houghton
Tel: 011 442 7411

18 holes

Kliprivier Country Club

Old Vereeniging Road, Kliprivier
Tel: 011 903 8940

9 holes

Kyalami Country Club

Maple Rd, Kyalami
Tel: 011 702 1610

The country club is located a few minutes away from the famous Kyalami grand prix racing circuit, no longer a Formula One stop but host to both motorcycle racing Moto GP and Superbikes. The course features some superb holes among its 18, and water provides a challenge that is not for the faint of heart.

Leeukop Golf Club

2571 Candican Road, Sunninghill
Tel: 01 466 2755

18 holes

Lenasia Country Club

Nirvana Rd, Lenasia
Tel: 011 854 6081

The Klip River is included on the 18-hole course and water provides a stiff test on the standout holes. The 18th is a par five that almost demands three drives to the green because of the difficult position of a dam. The sixth is a challenging par 3 that plays 200 metres long and is protected by the water of the Klip River.

Modderdam Golf Club

Golf Course Dr, Modderfontein
Tel: 011 608 2033/4

If water sets your pulse racing and your palms sweating, Modderdam might just be too challenging for you. Eleven of the 18 holes feature water (12 if you include the 19th) and it plays to a par 71 over 6 186 metres. The club is rated one of the top 20 in the country.

Observatory Golf Club

14 Steyn St, Observatory
Tel: 011 648 9579

18 holes

Parkview Golf Club

Emmarentia Ave and Wicklow Rd, Parkview
Tel: 011 646 5400

This par 72, 18-hole course features bent grass greens and kikuyu fairways and is beautifully laid out in a quiet, well-established suburb.

Randpark Golf Club

Setperk St, Windsor Park
Tel: 011 467 1691

Featuring two superb 18-hole championship golf courses, Randpark is the biggest golf club in the southern hemisphere with 2 800 members. The facilities are superb and it has a pro shop. The Randpark course hosted the South African Open in 1995, won that year by Retief Goosen, who became the latest South African to win a major after his victory in the 2001 US Open.

River Club

Links Road (off Jukskei Road), River Club
Tel: 011 783 1166

18 holes

Roodepoort Country Club

Hole-in-one Ave, Ruimsig
Tel: 011 958 1905
E-mail: rcc@roodepoortcc.co.za

Roodepoort Country Club presents an undulating challenge. The 18-hole course was designed by Gary Player and Ron Kirby, and although there are no trees on the course the rough is extremely testing. Besides that there are 70 bunkers to be avoided. The facilities include a clubhouse, meals, bowls, tennis, snooker and a conference room. Golf carts are also available.

Royal Johannesburg Golf Club

Fairway Ave, Linksfield North
Tel: 011 640 3021/2/3/4
E-mail: royaljhb@golfing.co.za

Only two South African courses are listed in the World Atlas of Golf: Durban Country Club and Royal Johannesburg. Over 100 years old, the former Johannesburg Golf Club was granted the "Royal" prefix by King George V in 1931. In 1933 a second course was added, thanks to the work of golf architect Robert Grimsdell, who was the resident professional and greenkeeper at Royal Johannesburg for over 20 years. The East course is 6 660 metres long and a par 72; the West course is 6 351 metres long and a par 71.

Since World War II, Royal Johannesburg has hosted the South African Open on numerous occasions. It is a favourite of golfing legend Gary Player, who won three of his 13 South African Opens on the course. Television commentator Dennis Hutchinson, now a familiar voice behind the microphone at both European PGA and South African Sunshine Tour events, was the last amateur to win the South African Open when he claimed the big prize here in 1959.

Southdowns Country Club

Cnr Springbok and Alabaster St, Mayfield Park
Tel: 011 943 4448
E-mail: sthdowns@mweb.co.za

18 holes

Vodacom World of Golf

Cnr Woodmead and Maxwell St, Woodmead
Tel: 011 802 5864
Website: www.worldofgolf.co.za

A superb practice facility for sharpening your game that incorporates a driving range with greens and bunkers, four practice greens, a nine-hole chip and putt course, a teaching academy, and a superb centre with numerous features.

Wanderers Golf Club

Cnr Corlett Dr and Rudd Rd, Illovo
Tel: 011 447 3311

Lying alongside the famous Wanderers Cricket Stadium, this scenic 18-hole course is centrally located and plays 6 274 metres long, with a par of 72. The ground has played host to many top events, ample proof of its outstanding condition. Perhaps more importantly for those who view golf as a game rather than a life or death matter, The Compleat Golfer rated the 19th hole at the Wanderers the best in South Africa. Now that is worth investigating. Bottoms up!