Glendower Golf Club
Par: 72
Lengths:
Club: 6433m (7035 yards)
Ladies: 4569m (4997 yards)
Championship: 6899m (7545 yards)
Still regarded as one of the best courses South Africa, and definitely Gauteng has to offer, the Glendower Golf Club is a magnificent parklands course situated in Bedfordview, just east of the City of Johannesburg. When it comes to golf in the City, the Glendower Golf Club is a must do for any golfing enthusiast. The course is well balanced, offers good value for shot selection and is laid out in a way that can challenge the seasoned professional, and the weekend golfer.
This golfing gem has bunkers galore and avoiding the sand traps around this track would make your round on this course a real breeze. The fairways are lined heavily with old and established trees, so stray drive will often mean a sideways shot and an inability to attack the green. The course plays slightly above handicap, but if you think about where you want to put the ball, rather than taking the “Tiger Line” with every shot, Glendower will reward you with a good score. The Glendower Golf Club also hosts a Sunshine Tour event each year and is ranked by Golf Digest in its top 20 golf courses in South Africa.
Featured Holes:
Front 9:
2nd Hole
Known as the Barn Owl, this stunning par 5 is considered by many as Glendower’s signature hole. It has everything that makes a golfing hole good. There are trees packed tightly down both sides of this very narrow fairway. There is water along the entire left hand side of the fairway and a large body of water to carry off the tee box. From an elevated tee you can see down across the challenge that awaits you and that is one of the biggest things to overcome on the second. If you have a weakness in your game, the second will find it. The green is well protected with bunkers and water, so if you are brave enough to take it on, your reward will be an easy par and even birdie, but the slightest miscalculation will result in your ball finding a hazard and the scorecard reading a big number!
Back 9:
13th Hole
Known as the Sparrowhawk, this nearly 500m par 5 is a real test of patience and brains. With a good drive there is an invitation to take the green on with your second, but it is well guarded by water in front, and a bunker on the right that runs through the back of this narrow green. Your tee shot is dissected by a stream that cuts across your path to the fairway and the runs all along the left hand side. As with every hole on the course, it is also well lined with trees on both sides, and a very cleverly placed fairway bunker. Par on this lengthy hole is very achievable, but the risk takers can get a birdie or a triple bogey, depending on bravery/stupidity.