Royal Johannesburg & Kensington Golf Club

The East Championship course at Royal Johannesburg & Kensington Golf Club represents one half of South Africa's oldest golf club, which traces its origins to 1890. The club operates two distinct eighteen-hole layouts on its property in the northern suburbs of Johannesburg. Robert Grimsdell, a significant figure in early South African golf architecture, designed the East course, which has undergone various modifications over the decades to maintain its competitive standard. The East course sits at approximately 1,750 meters above sea level on the Highveld plateau, where the altitude affects ball flight and distance. The layout moves through parkland terrain characterized by mature trees, particularly willows and eucalyptus, that line fairways and frame holes. Water features come into play on several holes, and the course's bunkering reflects both its historical origins and modern championship requirements. The relatively flat topography allows for strategic rather than dramatically elevated design, with subtle contours influencing approach play and putting surfaces. Royal Johannesburg & Kensington has hosted numerous South African Opens and other significant national championships, with the East course frequently serving as the primary venue or rotating with the West course for tournament play. The club maintains a traditional membership culture reflective of its long history in South African golf. The facility's clubhouse and dining areas preserve elements of the club's heritage while serving an active membership that includes both competitive and recreational golfers drawn to its convenient urban location and championship-quality conditions.