Royal Johannesburg Golf Club

1 Fairway Ave, Linksfield North,

Johannesburg, Gauteng 2192

  • Office

    +27 (0)11 640 3021
  • Pro shop

    +27 (0)11 485 4899
  • Fax

    +27 (0)11 640 9419
  • Golf pro

    Greg Jacobs (Head Professional)
  • Academy

    The Royal Academy

About the course

  • The 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).

Back
tees
Club
tees
Front
tees
Metres
6940
5859
5442
Par
72
72
72
SSS or slope
73
71
71

At the same location:

Above distances are for the East course. Also at Royal Johannesburg is the 18-hole West course (par-72; 6516 metres from back tees).

Location

Latitude:

-26.151992

Longitude:

28.111897

How to get there:

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 Golf Club (East course)

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

Est. 1890

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.

List of courses: Around Johannesburg

Visitors

Who can play and when?

Visitors welcome on weekdays and on Sundays.

Must book in advance. Handicap required

Green fees

International visitor fee, 18-holes on the East course: R1,500; S Africa affiliated player R1,100. Golf cart fee R450.

Contact club for full details, discounts, packages, etc. [Last updated: 2024].

Other information

Non-metal spike facility. Walking permitted and accredited/graded caddies available at all times. Golf carts available for hire (if pre-booked).

Practice facilities

Good

Did you know?

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.

Published ranking

South Africa's best courses (SA's Top 100 Courses, 2023):
Royal Johannesburg's East course ranked 11th best; West course ranked 33rd best.

Where2Stay

  • The Rosebank4-star

    Cnr. Tyrwhitt & Sturdee Avenues, Rosebank, Johannesburg

    +27 (0)11 447 2700

    Visit website

    The 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.

    • Golf at this hotel:

      No

    • Golf within 10 km:

      Killarney; Parkview; Wanderers; Houghton; Royal Johannesburg (East & West courses); River Club; Randpark (Randpark & Windsor Park courses).

    • Golf within 30 km:

      Glendower; Modderfontein; Country Club Johannesburg (Woodlands & Woodmead courses); Bryanston; Roodepoort; Dainfern; Kyalami; Blue Valley; Blair Atholl; Gardener Ross.

  • The Westcliff Hotel5-star

    67 Jan Smuts Avenue, Westcliff 2193, Johannesburg.

    +27 (0)11 481 6000

    Visit website

    Situated 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.

    • Golf at this hotel:

      No

    • Golf within 10 km:

      Killarney; Parkview; Wanderers; Houghton; Royal Johannesburg (East & West courses); Randpark (Randpark & Windsor Park courses).

    • Golf within 30 km:

      Glendower; Modderfontein; Country Club Johannesburg (Woodlands & Woodmead courses); River Club; Bryanston; Roodepoort; Dainfern; Kyalami; Blue Valley.

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