Old Johannesburg Rd, Lyttelton,
Centurion, nr Pretoria, Gauteng 0140
Office
+27 (0)12 654 1144Pro shop
+27 (0)12 654 2111Fax
+27 (0)12 660 1450Website
Visit websiteGolf pro
Ian and Adam HayesAcademy
The Dale Hayes Golf Academy at Zwartkop Country ClubThe Course:
18 holes. Tree-lined parkland. Gently undulating terrain - easy to walk.
Surroundings:
Residential and woodland.
Designer:
Robert "Bob" Grimsdell. More recently upgraded by Peter Matkovich.
-25.830121
28.160706
10 km S of Pretoria (centre)
Travelling north from Johannesburg on the N1, take the Old Johannesburg Road (R101) off-ramp. Follow the R101 north for approx 8 km. Golf will be on your right.
Zwartkop
Zwartkop Country Club is located on what was originally the Zwartkop farm, named after the bird found nesting on the farm.The layout fully utilises the Hennops River which comes into play on most holes, and needs to be crossed 12 times during the round. Much of the natural foliage is integral to the course, with a variety of trees and shrubs lining the holes.
The layout is not overly long, but is compensated by relatively small greens, which permit tight and testing pin placements. These factors combine to add a good deal of challenge to this pleasantly wooded course. The relatively short par-5 4th is one of many good risk-reward holes; any ambitious second shots will have to carry the river, while a large tree guards the rightside of the green.
On the back nine, the par-3 15th, par-4 16th and par-3 17th constitute Zwartkop's Amen Corner. All are relatively short, but each putting surface sits directly alongside the river. Only bold, accurate shots will yield pars or birdies, with double bogeys potentially in store for the faint-hearted.
The gentle humps, swales and subtle bunker positions which have become the trademark of course architect Peter Matkovich, are now much in evidence following his recent improvements to the course design.
Visitors welcome on weekdays; more restricted on weekends.
Must book in advance.
Non-metal spike facility.
Zwartkop has hosted several South African Sunshine Tour events.
The Hennops River is one of several in the greater Johannesburg area to flow into the Crocodile River, which it does about 30 km west of Centurion. The Crocodile River then flows into the Hartbeespoort Dam.
Cnr Gordan Hood & Hendrik Verwoerd Ave, Centurion, Pretoria 0046
+27 (0)12 663 8700
Visit websiteThe Protea Hotel Waterfront and Suites, located on the safe and tranquil Centurion Waterfront, has direct access to Centurion Mall shopping complex, with a variety of restaurants, bars, boutiques, cinemas and banks. This deluxe hotel was built in 1998 and has 151 rooms. The hotel is surrounded by beautiful landscaped gardens, complemented by an outdoor pool and lake deck overlooking the Centurion Lake, ideal for sundowners. The hotel also offers a fully equipped day-conference centre and secure parking. Affordable elegance on the waters edge.
No
Centurion; Zwartkop; Pretoria CC; Wingate Park
Woodhill; Silver Lakes; Blue Valley; Gardener Ross; Kyalami; Dainfern
Nellmapius Road, 0062 Irene, Pretoria
+27 (0)12 667 6464
Visit websiteThis 49-room Lodge is situated in a lush meadow with oak trees and a placid lake, within walking distance of two excellent golf courses, Centurion and Irene (not covered in Where2Golf). All of the spacious rooms overlook one of Gauteng’s most beautiful lakes, which teems with birdlife.
No
Centurion; Irene (not covered in Where2Golf); Zwartkop; Pretoria CC; Wingate Park
Woodhill; Silver Lakes; Blue Valley; Gardener Ross; Kyalami; Dainfern
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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