Links Road, Sandton,
Johannesburg, Gauteng
Office
+27 (0)11 783 1166Pro shop
+27 (0)11 783 1166Fax
+27 (0)11 783 7248The Course:
18 holes. Tree-lined & open parkland. Undulating terrain - a few slopes to climb.
Surroundings:
Residential and woodland.
Designer:
Originally designed by Robert "Bob" Grimsdell, with later improvements by Rob O'Friel (1998).
-26.077952
28.037458
3 km NW of Sandton Centre (Sandton is in northern Johannesburg).
Heading north through the northern suburbs of Johannesburg on William Nicol Drive, turn right into Ballyclare Drive at the Bryanston Shopping Centre. After 2 km turn right into Coleraine Road. After o.6 km turn right into Jukskei Road. After o.4 km turn left into Links Road.
River Club, RSA
The River Club Golf Course: Located in Johannesburg's leafy northern suburbs (in fact in the suburb of River Club), the eponymous golf course is regularly rated one of the top layouts in South Africa. However, unlike others in the top echelon, this is a fully private course, only open to its members and their guests.
If you should get the opportunity to play here, you will find a classical parkland fusion of tree-lined fairways, picturesque but threatening water hazards, and top quality greens and bunkering.
The terrain is gently undulating, with the layout containing many attractive dog-legging holes and some inspired par-3s. The course never wanders too far from the elegant clubhouse, not even on the arguably more interesting back-nine. At the par-4 13th, par-3 14th and par-5 15th you come closest to the Braamfontein Spruit, a tributary of the Jukskei River (see Did You Know section below).
This thoroughly enjoyable and challenging layout packs quite a punch at the end with the long par-3 17th requiring a serious carry over water, and a real do-or-die finale at the par-4 18th, with a potentially long approach into a well-bunkered and water-protected green. Benefitting from many fewer rounds being played on its pristine fairways, River Club often tops the list of Joburg's elite in terms of quality of upkeep and presentation.
Private club - guests may only play if hosted by a member.
Handicap required.
Caddies compulsory. White socks must be worn to accompany shorts.
Good
The River Club is located alongside one of the major streams to flow through northern Johannesburg - the Braamfontein Spruit (which translates as Bramble Fountain Stream). Like the other streams, it joins into the Jukskei River, which then joins the Crocodile River north-west of Johannesburg, which in turn flows into the Hartbeespoort Dam.
The club's logo features a Southern Red Bishop. These brightly coloured birds are a common sight throughout much of South Africa, particularly where reed beds and marshes are present.
Sony Open in Hawaii: played at Waialae Country Club near Honolulu, the Sony Open takes over the spotlight from The Sentry as the PGA Tour’s calendar-year opening event (Jan 15-18). The Sentry (not being played in 2026) was formerly known as the Tournament of Champions, with a field typically restricted to golfers who won a PGA Tour event in the previous calendar year.
Dubai Desert Classic: the DP World Tour’s first Rolex Series event of 2026, is contested for the 37th time (Jan 22-25). First won by Englishman Mark James in 1989, it now boasts a four-time winner, Rory McIlroy. Played on the Emirates Golf Club’s Majlis course, this once desert-surrounded course is the long-time flagship for Golf in Dubai.
Our visit last month included two rounds at Golf de Chantilly, one of France’s most prestigious clubs.
It offers two superb layouts: Le Vineuil, a five-star championship course with a rich history, and Longères, an excellent four-star course that provides a strong and enjoyable test.
The wider Paris region offers plenty more. Courses such as Fontainebleau, Golf de Saint-Germain, and several other top-rated layouts make this area one of Europe’s most rewarding golf destinations, offering a mix of woodland, heathland, and parkland designs.
The Dutch: "It's no' just a game", as they say in Scotland, and that's certainly true at The Dutch. With 5-star services throughout, a lavishly comfortable Loch Lomond-inspired clubhouse, and a superbly designed and presented golf course, one could not ask for more from this top-end private club.
Join us at The Dutch from August 21–24 for the Festival of Golf, featuring the HotelPlanner Tour. Experience four days of top-tier sport, live music, incredible food, and unexpected surprises. Explore the grounds, connect with others, embrace new challenges, and dive into an unforgettable celebration. Click here to buy tickets.
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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