1 Fairway Ave, Linksfield North,
Johannesburg, Gauteng 2192
Office
+27 (0)11 640 3021Pro shop
+27 (0)11 485 4899Fax
+27 (0)11 640 9419Website
Visit websiteGolf pro
Greg Jacobs (Head Professional)Academy
The Royal AcademyThe Course:
18 holes. Tree-lined parkland. Undulating terrain - a few slopes to climb.
Surroundings:
Woodland and residential.
Designer:
Current course laid out by the then club professional Robert (Bob) Grimsdell (1935). Upgraded by Mark Muller (1998).
Above distances are for the East course. Also at Royal Johannesburg is the 18-hole West course (par-72; 6516 metres from back tees).
-26.151992
28.111897
7 km SE of Sandton Centre (Sandton is in northern Johannesburg).
Leave the N3 Eastern Bypass at exit 116 (Linksfield Road - M16). Drive west on Linksfield Road passing the Linksfield Terrace Shopping Centre. After 0.6 km go straight over at traffic lights into Club Road. After 2.8 km turn right into Gemmil Road, then right again through the security point, and left into Denny Dalton Road. Golf is o.8 km along Denny Dalton Road and Fairway Ave.
Royal Johannesburg (East)
Royal Johannesburg Golf Club (East course): Of the two excellent courses here at Royal Johannesburg (now without the "& Kensington" moniker), the East course tends to steal the honours, as well as hosting the bigger tournaments. Longer and many would say tougher than the neighbouring West course, the East is one of the most stylish and memorable parkland courses in Johannesburg.
The front-nine is played on a slightly more elevated part of the course, and will quickly get you used to the often tightish fairways and excellent quality bunkering. A wonderful variety of African and imported tree species line the holes, although never too densely. Water makes a brief appearance on the front-nine, first at the exquisite par-3 5th, then at the par-5 6th where one pond threatens your drive and another your approach to the green.
Water hazards arrive with greater frequency on the challenging back-nine, with a series of larger ponds and a good-size stream running through the lower part of the course. Some homes flank the right handside of the par-4 13th and 14th holes, but it is hardly a distraction from the oasis like qualities of this mature parkland layout. The usually immaculate greens, often slightly elevated with smooth run-off areas around them, are guaranteed to probe any weaknesses in your short game.
With top-quality maintenance, pleasantly undulating terrain and many beautifully crafted golf holes, Royal Johannesburg has many devotees and plenty to test every facet of your game. Royal by name, and in this case, definitely royal by nature.
Visitors welcome on weekdays and on Sundays.
Must book in advance. Handicap required
Contact club for full details, discounts, packages, etc. [Last updated: 2024].
Non-metal spike facility. Walking permitted and accredited/graded caddies available at all times. Golf carts available for hire (if pre-booked).
Good
The merger of the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington golf clubs is a relatively recent phenomena. Johannesburg GC was founded in 1890, with the "Royal" title being granted in 1931. In the 1990s Kensington Golf Club was able to take advantage of a housing developer's plans, the course was sold and (in 1998) the club amalgamated with Royal Johannesburg. The proceeds from the Kensington sale were invested in the newly established Royal Johannesburg & Kensington GC, creating a superb facility with two great courses and a fabulous clubhouse.
In 2022 the club's members voted to simplify the club name to just Royal Johannesburg, dropping the Kensington reference.
Royal Johannesburg's East course in particular has hosted many top level events, including South African Opens and Joburg Opens (see our Tournaments section >by Venue >Royal Jo'burg).
The club was the first in Africa to have its courses designated as Audubon International Certified Sanctuary courses. On both East and West courses there is a wonderful array of trees, including many pines, jacarandas, weeping willows, poplars, cedars, gum trees, cork trees and oaks. Perhaps the most stunning of all is the huge oak tree that stands alongside the clubhouse and practice putting green.
South Africa's best courses (SA's Top 100 Courses, 2023):
Royal Johannesburg's East course ranked 11th best; West course ranked 33rd best.
Cnr. Tyrwhitt & Sturdee Avenues, Rosebank, Johannesburg
+27 (0)11 447 2700
Visit websiteThe Rosebank Hotel, situated in the exclusive suburb of Rosebank, part of Greater Sandton Johannesburg, is having a makeover. This hotel will soon be unveiling a modern new look. Centrally located, the sights and sounds of cosmopolitan Johannesburg are on the doorstep including three shopping malls, the legendary African Craft Market and plenty of excellent golf courses.
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Killarney; Parkview; Wanderers; Houghton; Royal Johannesburg (East & West courses); River Club; Randpark (Randpark & Windsor Park courses).
Glendower; Modderfontein; Country Club Johannesburg (Woodlands & Woodmead courses); Bryanston; Roodepoort; Dainfern; Kyalami; Blue Valley; Blair Atholl; Gardener Ross.
67 Jan Smuts Avenue, Westcliff 2193, Johannesburg.
+27 (0)11 481 6000
Visit websiteSituated in Johannesburg's most exclusive residential suburb, The Westcliff's hillside setting with cascading, sculpted gardens and elegantly opulent accommodation evoke a bygone era of leisure and refinement in one of the world's most vibrant and cosmopolitan cities. The Westcliff is a member of the Orient Express Hotels, Trains and Cruises group.
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Killarney; Parkview; Wanderers; Houghton; Royal Johannesburg (East & West courses); Randpark (Randpark & Windsor Park courses).
Glendower; Modderfontein; Country Club Johannesburg (Woodlands & Woodmead courses); River Club; Bryanston; Roodepoort; Dainfern; Kyalami; Blue Valley.
124th US Open: the No.2 Course at Pinehurst once again plays host to this most illustrious championship (June 13-16). Wyndham Clark defends his title, having won at Los Angeles CC in 2023.
79th Women’s US Open: the second women’s major championship of the season gets underway at Lancaster CC in Pennsylvania. It’s the second time the championship has been held here.
(May 30-June 2).
Nelly Korda: won the Mizuho Americas Open (May 16-19) at Liberty National GC, continuing her extraordinary form in LPGA events. This was her sixth win in seven starts in 2024.
Xander Schauffele: recorded his first major championship win, and second record-equalling low score of 62 in a major. Only he, Branden Grace, Rickie Fowler and Shane Lowry have achieved this feat in a men’s major championship.
Marco Simone Golf & Country Club: With a clubhouse that might befit a Roman Emperor, and a golf course to match, you can be sure of a memorable outing at Rome's most talked about golf facility.
Jim Fazio's original layout was much changed to create a modern Ryder Cup course ... now one of the Eternal City's (and Italy's) most revered.
Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.
Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available
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