The Country Club, Johannesburg

The Country Club Johannesburg’s two exceptional championship courses offer world class golfing, close to the city centre. It is ideal for golfers staying in Johannesburg for a couple of nights in preparation for a safari holiday or before boarding Rovos Rail.

The Woodmead course which opened in 1968, is an exceptional parkland golf course with mature trees, immaculate greens and a sense of history. Adjacent to Woodmead, the newer Rocklands golf course offers a slightly longer and more challenging test, with sweeping views over northern Johannesburg.

Woodmead is a breathtakingly scenic and well-maintained course that blends effortlessly into its woodland forest surroundings. The tree-lined fairways, well stocked dams and strategic contouring add to its appeal. With over 180 bird species found on the course, it is a tranquil setting that feels a million miles away from the hub of nearby Johannesburg.

The greens on the Woodmead have been constructed to USGA specifications and are seeded with Bentgrass. The fairways, tee boxes and semi-rough are planted with Kikuyu grass which can play heavy if you don’t quite make the right connection. The legendary Sandwedge Halfway House offers welcome sustenance after 9 holes and is widely considered to be one of the finest in the country.

The par 5, 6th hole stands out as one of the most tricky but memorable holes on the Woodmead course. It is a monster 486m off  the club tees with water on the right of the fairway. To add to your woes the fairway slopes left to right so anything remotely sliced from the tee box and landing on the right side, can trickle off into the drink. The second (and third) shots are played uphill making it feel even longer than it really is. Our advice is give it everything you’ve got until you can see the cup!

Like most South African golf courses, Kikuyu grass is used on the tees, fairways and semi-rough, while greens are seeded with Bentgrass, and are constructed to USGA specifications.

Our favourite was the 6th hole which is a magnificent par 3. It plays uphill to a well shaped and undulating green. The slope is deceiving and needs a little more club than you think to reach the green and clear the deep bunker protecting the left side.

Accommodation is available on site in the form of a ‘Dormy House’ but is only open to Member’s guest or reciprocal members. There are 26 clubs in the UK with reciprocity so worth checking if you qualify for reduced green fees and use of the other facilities at the Country Club, such as the swimming pool, tennis and squash courts.

For more information about playing golf at The Country Club, Johannesburg or other golfing holidays in South Africa, contact us here or call +44 208 249 5919 to speak to our South Africa golf holidays team.