Royal Johannesburg West Course
The West Course is the older half of Royal Johannesburg and Kensington, laid out by Laurie Waters in 1909 and reworked by the English architect Major Hotchkin in 1929. A par 72 of about 6,563 yards, it is the more strategic and characterful of the club's two championship parkland courses, all mature trees, clever angles and quick Highveld greens.
Photo: Royal Johannesburg via Google.
The verdict
Laurie Waters, a four time South African Open champion, laid out the West in 1909, and in 1929 Major Hotchkin made considerable changes with the work carried out by club professional Bob Grimsdell. The result is a classic parkland course of great age and character, shorter than its sibling the East but no pushover, where strategy and position matter more than raw length.
Set among tall, established trees in the Linksfield North suburb, the West is a course of clever angles and small, firm greens. The thin Highveld air helps the ball travel, but the premium here is on shaping the tee shot and finding the right side of the fairway. For many members it is the more enjoyable of the two layouts, and a fine companion round to the championship East.
Royal Johannesburg West Course at a glance
- Opened
- 1909
- Designer
- Laurie Waters, Hotchkin 1929
- Type
- Parkland
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- About 6,563 yds
- Green fee
- On application
Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026 from the club, Wikipedia and leading course databases. The West was laid out by Laurie Waters in 1909 and reworked by Major Hotchkin in 1929, a par 72 of about 6,563 yards. 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 West asks for placement before power. The fairways thread between mature trees, and the line off the tee dictates the angle into greens that are small, firm and well defended, so the thinking player who controls ball flight is rewarded over the long hitter.
The greens run quick and true, as they do across the club, and reading the subtle Highveld borrows is half the battle. The par 4s are varied and the short holes demand precise distance control, with the altitude adding a club's worth of carry that visitors often misjudge.
It is a course that grows on you, a genuine classic that has matured for more than a century. Played alongside the East, the West completes one of the great 36 hole days in South African golf, two distinct championship layouts inside a single historic club.
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, often as part of a 36 hole day with the East |
| Green fee | Guest and visitor rates are quoted on application; confirm with the club or your operator (indicative, 2026) |
| Booking | Contact the golf office in advance; a member introduction or a South Africa golf specialist helps secure a tee time |
| 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 for golf, with cold early mornings |
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
As with the East, most visitors stay in the eastern and northern suburbs of Johannesburg, close to both the club and OR Tambo International Airport, where hotels and serviced apartments are plentiful. A 36 hole day across both courses is an easy and rewarding plan from a city base.
Johannesburg is the natural hub of a Highveld golf trip, and the West pairs well with the other championship courses of Gauteng. Many travelers add a few days on safari to the north, making the city the perfect launch point for a wider South African itinerary.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Royal Johannesburg West Course.
Build a Johannesburg golf trip
We line up the tee times at Royal Johannesburg West 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 West Course questions
Who designed the Royal Johannesburg West Course?
The West was laid out by Laurie Waters in 1909 and substantially reworked by the English architect Major Hotchkin in 1929, with construction carried out by club professional Bob Grimsdell.
What is the par and length of the West Course?
The West is a par 72 measuring about 6,563 yards, the older and more strategic of the club's two championship parkland courses.
How does the West Course compare to the East?
The West is shorter and more strategic, prizing position and angles, while the East is longer and more of a power test. Many members regard the West as the more enjoyable round.
Can visitors play the Royal Johannesburg West Course?
Royal Johannesburg and Kensington is a private members club. Visitors usually play as a member's guest or through a recognized tour operator, often as a 36 hole day, with any guest fee 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.