Glendower Golf Club

20 Marais Rd, Dowerglen ext 2,

Johannesburg, Gauteng 2008

  • Office

    +27 (0)11 453 1013
  • Pro shop

    +27 (0)11 453 9003
  • Fax

    +27 (0)11 453 3760
  • Golf pro

    Rudy Whitfield (Club Professional).
  • Academy

    Gavan Levenson Golf Academy

About the course

  • The Course:

    18 holes. Tree-lined & open parkland. Gently undulating terrain - easy to walk.

  • Surroundings:

    Residential and woodland.

  • Designer:

    Designed by Charles "Hugh" Alison, long-time design associate of Harry Colt; construction supervised by South African professional golfer Arthur Tomsett.

Back
tees
Club
tees
Front
tees
Metres
6899
6433
4569
Par
72
72
72
SSS or slope
74
73
71

Location

Latitude:

-26.160628

Longitude:

28.142133

How to get there:

10 km SE of Sandton Centre (Sandton is in northern Johannesburg).

Leave the N3 Eastern Bypass at Linksfield Road (M16) junction. Drive west on Linksfield Road passing the Linksfield Terrace Shopping Centre. After o.6 km turn left into Civin Drive. After 2.1 km turn left and go through tunnel under the N3 highway. Turn immediately right into Boeing Rd East. After 1.2 km turn left into Marais Rd. After o.6 km enter golf entrance.

Glendower Golf Club

4-PLUS: Must play course - excellent standard; worthy of 4½ stars.

Est. 1937

Glendower Golf Club: Johannesburg is home to a wonderful array of timeless and excellently crafted parkland golf courses, and Glendower is unquestionably one of the best. Like its near neighbour, Royal Johannesburg & Kensington, you are deep in the city's residential suburbs, where the stresses of the modern world quickly melt away in this golfing oasis. Here, taking centre stage, is the more important and relaxing business of the royal and ancient game.

This expansive and testing layout, a Charles Hugh Alison classic, is graced with abundant birdlife and mature trees of many species. This is undoubtedly a golfing venue full of challenge and charm. No less than 85 stylish bunkers line the way and defend the greens. On 11 of the 18 holes a variety of streams and ponds ensure the presence of water is never too far away. On these holes especially, good course management and accurate shot-making will be needed to avoid your ball making an unwanted splash.

The 400-metre par-4 opener sets the tone in terms of length. As you'll quickly discover, shortish drives lead to the prospect of long approach shots into the typically heavily bunker-defended greens. The tight tee-shot at the par-5 2nd, with water to carry before reaching the safety of the fairway, underscores Glendower's demand for accuracy as well as length. It presents one of the scarier drives you'll need to make. Thankfully the tree-lined landing areas seem a little more generous on subsequent holes, and especially on the slightly more open feeling back-nine.

Longish holes and a reasonably tight test of golf is what you might be thinking on your way round. But the memories you take away from Glendower will also be filled with many picturesquely tree-lined holes, and the elegant parkland character of this Johannesburg gem.

List of courses: Around Johannesburg

Visitors

Who can play and when?

Visitors welcome on weekdays (before 8:30am or after midday) and on weekends.

Must book in advance. Proof of golf club membership and handicap required.

Green fees

Visitor fee, 18-holes (walking rate): Tues/Weds R375; Thur/Fri R465; Sat/Sun R750. Golf cart R450.

Contact club for full details, discounts, packages, etc. [Last updated: 2022].

Other information

Non-metal spike facility. White socks required with shorts. Golf carts available for hire. Caddies available at all times.

Practice facilities

Good

Did you know?

In 1935, ten Johannesburg businessmen joined together, formed a company and purchased the Glendower Farm, with the purpose of creating a Country Club. In 1937 their plans came to fruition, with the opening of the golf course, although plans for a polo pitch were abandoned due to the costs involved in levelling the ground. Since that time Glendower has hosted many top-level golf tournaments, not least the South African Open on several occasions. Vijay Singh added this prestigious title to his roll of honour by winning here in 1997 (see out Tournaments section >by Venue >Glendower).

In 1973 Glendower was declared a Nature Reserve due to the abundance of bird life in the club's grounds.

Published ranking

South Africa's 8th best course (SA's Top 100 Courses, 2023).

Where2Stay

  • Golfer's Lodge4-star

    6 Homestead Road, Eastleigh, Edenvale, Gauteng

    +27 (0)11 609 6698

    Visit website

    The Golfer's Lodge is a luxury Guest Lodge, located in Edenvale, close to many excellent Joburg golf courses and with easy access to major motorways, shopping centres, entertainment and places of cultural interest. Your Swiss & Portuguese hosts, and staff, will communicate with you in many different languages: English, Afrikaans, Portuguese, German, Czech, Hungarian, Slovak, Spanish, Russian, Zulu, Sotho, Tswana, Tsonga, Venda, Xhosa. A well lit putting & chipping green is available, just in case you want to practice all night !

    • Golf at this hotel:

      No

    • Golf within 10 km:

      Modderfontein; Glendower; Royal Johannesburg & Kensington (East & West courses); Houghton.

    • Golf within 30 km:

      Country Club Johannesburg (Woodlands & Woodmead courses); River Club; Bryanston; Wanderers; Killarney; Parkview; Randpark (Randpark & Windsor Park courses); Dainfern; Kyalami; Blue Valley.

  • Courtyard Hotel, Eastgate4-star

    Zulberg Close, off Ernest Oppenheimer Road Bruma Lake, Johannesburg

    +27 (0)11 622 8436

    Visit website

    Tuscan in character and overlooking the tranquil Bruma Lake, this Courtyard Hotel is within walking distance of Bruma Flea Market, local craft displays and Eastgate Shopping Centre. A welcoming double-volume lobby leads to an inviting lakeside patio that lends itself to pleasant relaxation. The hotel is easily accessible to the major motorways and only 10 minutes drive from Johannesburg’s CBD and international airport.

    • Golf at this hotel:

      No

    • Golf within 10 km:

      Royal Johannesburg & Kensington (East & West courses); Glendower; Houghton; Killarney; Parkview; Wanderers.

    • Golf within 30 km:

      Modderfontein; Country Club Johannesburg (Woodlands & Woodmead courses); River Club; Bryanston; Randpark (Randpark & Windsor Park courses); Dainfern; Kyalami; Blue Valley.

Find a course

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Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available

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