Royal Nairobi Golf Club

Located in Nairobi’s leafy Ngong superb, The Royal Nairobi Golf Club has panoramic view of the Ngong Hills as one drives up to the club’s entrance. It was founded in 1906, the original course being just nine-holes and sand ‘greens’. It was not until 1927  that it became fully grassed and club house was started.  The Nairobi Club as it was originally known, was granted royal patronage by King George V) in 1935.

Founded as a recreational facility for Officers of the King’s African Rifles the colonial heritage is apparent throughout the clubhouse. It is the oldest surviving of the clubs built by the British Army. Wild animals roamed the course in the early days and the story goes that a leopard was once shot on a fairway in 1919.

The course measures 7021 yds of the championship tees, the longest in Kenya. The course has played host to a number of tournaments including the East Africa Ladies Open. The front nine which is the original nine holes is relatively flat, while the back nine is more undulating and hilly.

There are a number of water hazards dotted around the course, the first coming into play on the 2nd hole guarding the left edge of the green. The best route in, is from the left side of the fairway, taking the water out of your eye line. The fairways are tight and tree-lined throughout the course, and caddies are invaluable should your ball stay from the manicured fairways.

The course is very well maintained and can be played throughout the year. It is not as polished or sophisticated as top resort courses, and the clubhouse has seen better days, but it is a unique experience and you can not fail to be swept up by the history of the club. Flowering bushes and a huge assortment of tree species add colour and aesthetic appeal to the course.

The finishing hole 18th is the signature hole and hardest on the course. The long par 4 hole culminates in a large fairly flat green in front of the clubhouse, perfect for a grand stand finish.

For more information about Kenya golfing holidays and playing at the Royal Nairobi Golf Club, contact us here or call +44 208 249 5919 (UK) or +65 919 412 56 (Asia) to speak to our Africa Golf Holidays team.