Windsor Golf Nairobi
Tom Macauley routed Windsor in 1992 through old coffee farms and indigenous forest on the leafy north side of Nairobi, a par 72 of about 7,277 yards. Water reaches nine holes, two with island greens, and 73 bunkers guard the rest. At more than a mile above sea level, where the ball flies further, it is widely rated the best course in Kenya.
Photo: Jonathan Stern via Google.
The verdict
Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club is the headline course in Kenya, set in the leafy Ridgeways suburb on the north side of Nairobi. Designed by Tom Macauley and opened in 1992, it plays as a par 72 of about 7,277 yards, threaded through former coffee farms and stands of indigenous forest that give every hole a sense of seclusion. Water comes into play on nine of the eighteen holes, including two island greens, and 73 well placed bunkers complete a course that is both handsome and demanding.
Altitude is part of the story. At more than a mile above sea level the ball carries noticeably further, so club selection takes recalibration even as the yardage looks long on the card. The result is a classic high country parkland that has hosted the country's leading events and is regularly named among the finest in the region, a fitting centerpiece for a golf trip that pairs naturally with a Kenyan safari.
Windsor Golf, Nairobi at a glance
- Opened
- 1992
- Designer
- Tom Macauley
- Type
- Parkland, woodland
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- About 7,277 yds
- Green fee
- Hotel, public
Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026 from the club and leading course databases: Windsor is a Tom Macauley design opened in 1992, a par 72 of about 7,277 yards with water on nine holes and 73 bunkers, at more than a mile above sea level. Recent visitor green fees have been quoted around the equivalent of a mid range resort rate, higher at weekends (indicative, 2026); caddie hire is mandatory. Always confirm the current fee directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
Windsor plays as a true high country parkland, the fairways winding between old coffee plantings and pockets of native forest so that each hole feels enclosed and private. The springy turf and fast, true greens give the round a polished feel, and the altitude means the longer holes are more reachable than the yardage suggests once you trust the extra carry.
The water is the signature defense. Lakes and ponds touch nine of the eighteen holes, and two island greens demand a committed, well judged approach where there is no bailout. The 73 bunkers tighten the lines further, rewarding the player who shapes the ball into the correct side of the fairway and leaves the simplest angle in.
What lingers is the setting as much as the test: the indigenous trees, the birdlife, and the sense of a mature, well kept course in the cool highland air just outside the capital. Windsor is a course to enjoy at a measured pace, ideally with a caddie who knows the lines, and an easy highlight to build a Nairobi golf and safari trip around.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Hotel and visitor play; open to club guests and visiting golfers, with caddie hire mandatory |
| Green fee | Recent visitor green fees quoted around a mid range resort rate, higher at weekends; member guest rates are lower (indicative, 2026) |
| Booking | Book through the hotel or a Kenya golf and safari specialist; combine easily with a wider safari itinerary |
| On the day | Caddies are required and add to the experience; buggies are available and a dress code applies |
| Getting there | Ridgeways, on the north side of Nairobi, a short drive from the city center and reachable from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport |
| Best months | The dry seasons of January to March and June to October for the best conditions in the highland climate |
Access and fees verified June 2026 from the club and golf travel sources; rates change by season and day, so always confirm directly before booking.
Where to stay nearby
The natural base is the Windsor Golf Hotel itself, a country club resort whose rooms, restaurants and spa sit beside the course and make an early tee time simple. Its setting in the green northern suburbs is a calm contrast to central Nairobi while staying close to the city.
For a fuller trip, the hotel works well as the golf anchor of a Kenyan itinerary, with the Maasai Mara, Amboseli and the Rift Valley lodges all within reach by road or short flight. Few destinations let you pair championship golf and a world class safari as easily.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Windsor Golf, Nairobi.
Build a Kenya golf and safari trip
We book the Windsor tee times, arrange the caddies and pair the golf with a safari itinerary and the right lodges. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Windsor Golf, Nairobi questions
Who designed Windsor Golf in Nairobi and when did it open?
Windsor was designed by Tom Macauley and opened in 1992 as the championship course at the Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club in the Ridgeways suburb of Nairobi.
What is the par and length of Windsor Golf?
Windsor is a par 72 of about 7,277 yards, with water on nine holes including two island greens and 73 bunkers, played at more than a mile above sea level.
Is a caddie required at Windsor?
Yes. Caddie hire is mandatory at Windsor, which is the norm at leading Kenyan clubs and adds local knowledge of the lines and greens.
Can visitors play Windsor Golf?
Yes. Windsor is a hotel and country club course open to visiting golfers, often as part of a golf and safari trip. Confirm green fees, caddie arrangements and tee times directly before booking.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.