Royal Johannesburg & Kensington — West Course
Linksfield North, JohannesburgDirections
The West is Royal Johannesburg's original 1909 layout by Laurie Waters, a shorter, recently rebuilt parkland companion to the championship East.
- Location
- Linksfield North, Johannesburg
- Ranking
- No. 25 nationally · No. 6 in Gauteng
- Holes
- 18
- Par
- 72
- Length
- Around 6,600 metres from the back tees
- Established
- 1909
- Access
- Semi-private — visitors welcome
Open tee times at Royal Joburg West
Tue 21 Jul
Wed 22 Jul
Thu 23 Jul
Fri 24 Jul
Sat 25 Jul
Sun 26 Jul
Mon 27 Jul
Tue 28 Jul
About Royal Joburg West
The West traces back to 1909, when four-time SA Open champion Laurie Waters laid out the course the club's members first played after moving to Linksfield North. Major Hotchkin revised it in 1929, with construction by Bob Grimsdell, and it has always been the more compact of Royal Johannesburg's two eighteens. Undulating, tree-lined fairways with water in play on several holes give it a character distinct from its longer neighbour.
A 2022 rebuild by Agrano Turf reworked the greens and bunkers and reversed the nines, so the round now opens on the former back nine and closes over a tougher finishing stretch. At around 6,600 metres from the back it is appreciably shorter than the East, shifting the emphasis from raw length toward position and short game.
For visitors the West offers the same royal heritage and mature parkland setting as the East but a more playable, rhythmic test. It stands as a strong course in its own right, ranked among South Africa's top layouts, and pairs naturally with a round on the championship course next door.
Good to know
- Club's original 1909 Laurie Waters layout
- Greens and bunkers rebuilt in 2022 (Agrano Turf)
- Reversed nines with a tougher closing stretch
- Shorter and more playable than the East course
- Mature parkland setting at a royal club
Book a tee time at Royal Joburg West
Royal Joburg West's open tee times are pulled live from its booking system. Jump back up to pick your date, party size and 9 or 18 holes, and book straight from the course.
Check Royal Joburg West tee times
