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:

    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.

Back
tees
Club
tees
Front
tees
Metres
6516
5841
5280
Par
72
72
72
SSS or slope
72
71
70

At the same location:

Above distances are for the West course. Also at Royal Johannesburg is the 18-hole East course (par-72; 6940 metres from back tees).

Location

Latitude:

-26.157385

Longitude:

28.102467

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 (West course)

4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.

Est. 1890

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.

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 West course: R1,100; S Africa affiliated player R800. 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 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.

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 Grace in Rosebank5-star

    54 Bath Road, Rosebank 2196, Johannesburg

    +27 (0)11 280 7200

    Visit website

    The 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.

    • 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.

  • Protea Hotel Wanderers4-star

    Cnr Corlett Drive & Rudd Road, Illovo 2196, Johannesburg.

    +27 (0)11 770 5500

    Visit website

    The 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).

    • Golf at this hotel:

      Wanderers

    • Golf within 10 km:

      Country Club Johannesburg (Woodlands & Woodmead courses); River Club; Bryanston; Killarney; Parkview; Houghton; Royal Johannesburg (East & West courses), Glendower.

    • Golf within 30 km:

      Modderfontein; Randpark (Randpark & Windsor Park courses); Roodepoort; Dainfern; Kyalami; Blue Valley; Gardener Ross; Blair Atholl.

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