Royal Johannesburg East Course
The East Course at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington is the championship layout of one of South Africa's grandest clubs. Bob Grimsdell completed it in 1935 and it has since been stretched to about 7,592 yards, a long, tree lined par 72 that has hosted the South African Open and the Joburg Open and rewards the player who can drive it long and straight at altitude.
Photo: Royal Johannesburg via Google.
The verdict
Royal Johannesburg and Kensington traces its history to 1890 and earned its royal title in 1931. The East, completed in 1935 by Bob Grimsdell, probably South Africa's most prominent course architect and the club's resident professional for more than twenty years, is the championship card. A redesign in 1999 reworked the back nine and later lengthening pushed it out toward 7,592 yards from the tips.
It is a big, muscular parkland course where the thin Highveld air sends the ball a long way and the mature trees demand position off the tee. The East has hosted the South African Open seven times between 1946 and 1986 and more recently the Joburg Open co sanctioned by the DP World Tour, and it remains a genuine test of long, controlled golf for the visiting player.
Royal Johannesburg East Course at a glance
- Opened
- 1935
- Designer
- Bob Grimsdell
- Type
- Parkland championship
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- Up to about 7,592 yds
- Green fee
- On application
Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026 from the club, Wikipedia and leading course databases. The East was completed by Bob Grimsdell in 1935, a par 72 lengthened over time to about 7,592 yards from the back tees. Royal Johannesburg and Kensington is a private members club; visitor access and any guest green fee are arranged on application, so always confirm directly before planning a visit.
The holes worth the trip
The East plays long and demands a reliable driver. The tree lined fairways leave little room for the wild tee shot, and at Johannesburg's altitude of around 1,750 meters the ball flies far, so club selection into the firm, well guarded greens is the constant puzzle.
The back nine, reworked in the 1999 redesign, brings the strongest run of holes, with longer par 4s and well bunkered putting surfaces that ask for a high, soft approach. The greens are quick and true, and a score is made by driving it in play and managing the long irons.
It is a championship test in the truest sense, the kind of course that has stood up to professional fields for decades. For a visitor it is a chance to walk the same fairways that crowned South African Open and Joburg Open champions, and to find out how a long parkland layout plays in the Highveld air.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Private members club; visitors generally play as a member's guest or through a recognized tour operator, with weekday tee times easiest to arrange |
| Green fee | Guest and visitor rates are quoted on application; confirm with the club or your operator (indicative, 2026) |
| Booking | Contact the golf office well in advance; an introduction or a South Africa golf specialist helps secure access to the East |
| On the day | Carts are available and caddies can be arranged; a collared shirt and standard golf attire are expected |
| Getting there | Linksfield North, in the east of Johannesburg, about 25 minutes from OR Tambo International Airport |
| Best months | The dry Highveld winter from April to September offers clear, mild days, though mornings can be cold |
Access arrangements verified June 2026; Royal Johannesburg and Kensington is private and policies change, so always confirm directly before planning a visit with the club or your trip planner.
Where to stay nearby
Most visiting golfers base themselves in the eastern and northern suburbs of Johannesburg, where there is a deep choice of hotels close to both the club and OR Tambo International Airport. A base on this side of the city keeps airport transfers short and puts the other Gauteng courses within easy reach.
Johannesburg works well as the hub of a Highveld golf week, pairing Royal Johannesburg with the other championship layouts of the region and, for many travelers, a safari add on to the north. It is an ideal city base from which to build a multi course trip.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Royal Johannesburg East Course.
Build a Johannesburg golf trip
We line up the tee times at Royal Johannesburg East Course 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.
Royal Johannesburg East Course questions
Who designed the Royal Johannesburg East Course and when did it open?
The East Course was completed in 1935 by Bob Grimsdell, the club's resident professional and one of South Africa's foremost course architects, with a back nine redesign in 1999.
What is the par and length of the East Course?
The East is a par 72 that has been lengthened over time to about 7,592 yards from the back tees, making it one of the longer championship courses in the country.
What tournaments has the East Course hosted?
The East has hosted the South African Open seven times between 1946 and 1986 and, more recently, the Joburg Open co sanctioned by the DP World Tour.
Can visitors play the Royal Johannesburg East Course?
Royal Johannesburg and Kensington is a private members club. Visitors usually play as a member's guest or through a recognized tour operator, and any guest green fee is arranged on application.
Related
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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.