Pretoria Country Club
Pretoria Country Club is one of South Africa's grand old clubs, founded in 1910 and laid out in the leafy suburb of Waterkloof. Shaped originally by Laurie Waters and refined over the decades by Bob Grimsdell, Fred Hawtree and Gary Player Design, it is a mature par 72 that winds along the Apies River beneath the jacarandas.
Photo: Pretoria Country Club via Google.
The verdict
Golf has been played here since 1910, and the course carries the imprint of more than a century of fine architects. The original layout is credited to Laurie Waters, the early club professional Clarrie Moore had a hand in it, Bob Grimsdell made modifications in 1950, Fred Hawtree reworked it in 1968 and Gary Player Design updated it in 2005. The result is a classic, tree lined parkland course of genuine pedigree.
The Apies River winds through the property and comes into play on several holes, the fairways are framed by mature trees that turn purple with jacaranda blossom in spring, and the greens are quick and true. It is a relaxed, characterful round in the heart of the capital, the kind of historic members' course that a visiting golfer remembers as much for its atmosphere as its challenge.
Pretoria Country Club at a glance
- Opened
- 1910
- Designer
- Laurie Waters, Player 2005
- Type
- Riverine parkland
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- About 6,400 m
- Green fee
- On application
Founding year, designers and par verified June 2026 from the club and leading course databases. Pretoria Country Club was founded in 1910 with an original layout by Laurie Waters, modified by Bob Grimsdell in 1950, Fred Hawtree in 1968 and Gary Player Design in 2005, a par 72 of roughly 6,400 meters. Yardage varies by tee and the club welcomes visitors; green fees change by season, so always confirm directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
Pretoria Country Club is a course of position and patience. The mature trees that line the fairways punish the wayward drive, and the Apies River that threads through the property adds a strategic edge to several holes, asking the player to choose between caution and ambition.
The greens run quick and true, a hallmark of the older Highveld clubs, and reading the subtle slopes is central to scoring. The successive hands of Grimsdell, Hawtree and Gary Player have kept the layout fair and varied, with a good balance of reachable par 5s and demanding par 4s.
What stays with you is the setting, a serene, established parkland in the heart of Pretoria that is at its most beautiful in October and November when the jacarandas bloom. It is a gentle, historic round, ideal as part of a wider Gauteng itinerary.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Members club that welcomes visitors; book through the golf shop or a tour operator, with weekday tee times easiest to arrange |
| Green fee | Visitor rates are confirmed on booking and vary by season; check current pricing with the club (indicative, 2026) |
| Booking | Reserve through the pro shop or your South Africa golf specialist a few days ahead |
| On the day | Carts are available and caddies can be arranged; standard golf attire with a collared shirt is expected |
| Getting there | Waterkloof, in the south of Pretoria, about 45 minutes from OR Tambo International Airport |
| Best months | April to September for dry winter golf, or October and November to catch the jacarandas in bloom |
Access and fee details verified June 2026 from the club and recent listings; visitor pricing changes by season, so always confirm current rates and availability directly before booking.
Where to stay nearby
Visitors usually stay in the eastern Pretoria suburbs around Waterkloof, Brooklyn and Menlyn, where there is a good range of hotels and guesthouses close to the club and to the city's restaurants. A Pretoria base suits a trip that combines the capital's courses with the wider Highveld.
Pretoria pairs naturally with Johannesburg for a Gauteng golf week, the two cities less than an hour apart with a wealth of championship courses between them. Many travelers add a safari to the north, and Pretoria is the convenient last stop before heading for the bushveld.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Pretoria Country Club.
Build a Pretoria golf trip
We line up the tee times at Pretoria Country Club where access allows, pair them with the best of the region and book the lodging around them. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Pretoria Country Club questions
When was Pretoria Country Club founded and who designed it?
Pretoria Country Club was founded in 1910 with an original layout credited to Laurie Waters, later modified by Bob Grimsdell in 1950, Fred Hawtree in 1968 and Gary Player Design in 2005.
What is the par of Pretoria Country Club?
Pretoria Country Club is a par 72, a mature parkland course of roughly 6,400 meters that winds along the Apies River, with the exact yardage varying by tee.
When is the best time to play Pretoria Country Club?
The dry winter months from April to September give reliable golf weather, while October and November bring the famous jacaranda bloom that lines the fairways in purple.
Can visitors play Pretoria Country Club?
Yes. Pretoria Country Club is a members club that welcomes visitors. Book through the golf shop or a tour operator and confirm the current seasonal green fee when you reserve.
Related
The Tee Sheet
Tee time windows, course access changes and the trips worth taking. Every other week.
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.