West Course

Few cities in the world have produced a golf culture as deep and competitive as Johannesburg's. Sitting on the Highveld at roughly 1,750 metres above sea level, the Witwatersrand gives golfers a significant gift: the thin air carries the ball noticeably farther than at sea level, and the firm, sun-baked fairways of the Highveld add even more run. The question is which West Course this refers to — Johannesburg is home to several clubs carrying that name or designation, most notably Johannesburg Country Club's West Course, one of the city's storied layouts.

Johannesburg Country Club, founded in the early 20th century and shaped by the mining wealth that built the city, has long been one of South Africa's most prestigious members' clubs. Its courses have hosted major South African professional and amateur events over the decades, and the club carries the kind of tradition and formal atmosphere that befits its era and origins.

Wherever precisely this West Course sits within Johannesburg's rich golfing landscape, expect a parkland-style layout shaded by mature jacaranda and eucalyptus trees — the city's characteristic tree canopy providing definition and beauty, while the altitude ensures the game plays longer off the tee than the card might suggest.