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:
Original course at this location laid out by Laurie Waters (1909), which has evolved into today's West Course with several revisions and upgrades along the way.
Above distances are for the West course. Also at Royal Johannesburg is the 18-hole East course (par-72; 6940 metres from back tees).
-26.157385
28.102467
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 (West)
Royal Johannesburg Golf Club (West course): Of the two excellent courses here at Royal Johannesburg (now without the "& Kensington" moniker), the West course was the first to be established in 1909, with the East course following in the 1930s. Although the West may not quite hit the sublime layout standard of the East, it is still a thoroughly absorbing course, with many well laid out holes to test and challenge your game.
Whereas water is predominantly confined to the back-nine on the East course, it makes its presence felt at over half the holes on the West, spread evenly between both front and back nines. Trees will doubtless play their part in your round, with many attractively tree-lined fairways weaving their way around the gently undulating terrain.
The West's back-nine occasionally rubs shoulders with the East course, as it builds to its challenging finish. Water is dangerously in play throughout the par-5 15th, and at the par-3 16th. The closing two holes revert to classic parkland form, with the tight tree-lined par-4 17th played to a small, wickedly sloping green, before it hands over to the gently curving and elegant par-5 18th. With an absence of busy roads and very limited housing around the course, you will enjoy this quiet golfing oasis, with occasional picturesque views onto neighbouring hills.
Pick of the holes: the teasing 5th hole is one of the shortest water-defended par-3s in Johannesburg (at only 111 metres from the back tees). The par-3 16th is an absolute gem - a fabulous downhiller played to a fiercely water-protected green.
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 stream that meanders through the lower parts of the East and West courses, is one of many that flow through Johannesburg's northern suburbs. Just north of the golf course, the stream flows into one of Johannesburg's larger rivers, the Jukskei, which itself joins the Crocodile River north-west of Johannesburg, which in turn flows into the Hartbeespoort Dam.
Royal Johannesburg is one of four golf clubs in South Africa honoured by exercise of the Sovereign's royal prerogative. The Royal titles were conferred on Royal Cape (1910), Royal Port Alfred (1924), Royal Johannesburg (1931) and Royal Durban (1932) by King George V.
South Africa's best courses (SA's Top 100 Courses, 2023):
Royal Johannesburg's East course ranked 11th best; West course ranked 33rd best.
54 Bath Road, Rosebank 2196, Johannesburg
+27 (0)11 280 7200
Visit websiteThe Grace is an ideal choice for guests seeking a sophisticated city hotel with the highest levels of service and luxury, as well as that personal charm found only in small establishments. Set in the heart of stylish Rosebank, a secure, leafy suburb that is cosmopolitan and rich in eclectic restaurants, shopping, cinemas and culture.
No
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.
Cnr Corlett Drive & Rudd Road, Illovo 2196, Johannesburg.
+27 (0)11 770 5500
Visit websiteThe Protea Hotel Wanderers is situated in the green belt of Johannesburg, in the prestigious northern suburb of Illovo. Located within the secure grounds of the historic Wanderers Club, the hotel is just a short walk away from the Wanderers Club (50m), Wanderers Cricket stadium (500m), Wanderers Golf Course (500m) and Planet Fitness Health & Fitness Centre (400m).
Wanderers
Country Club Johannesburg (Woodlands & Woodmead courses); River Club; Bryanston; Killarney; Parkview; Houghton; Royal Johannesburg (East & West courses), Glendower.
Modderfontein; Randpark (Randpark & Windsor Park courses); Roodepoort; Dainfern; Kyalami; Blue Valley; Gardener Ross; Blair Atholl.
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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