Golf in Johannesburg: a visitor's guide

Visiting Johannesburg and want to play? South Africa's biggest city is one of the country's great golf destinations, with championship layouts, sunny Highveld weather and green fees that go a long way in most foreign currencies. Here is what a visiting golfer needs to know, and how to find an open tee time while you're here.

Check live tee times

Can visitors play?

In most cases, yes. Several Johannesburg courses are fully public, so anyone can walk on and play. Many of the smarter clubs are semi-private: primarily for members, but they release tee times to visitors, especially on weekdays. Only a few are strictly members-only. Every course page here shows its access type, and it's worth booking ahead for weekends and public holidays.

Public courses Visitor-friendly clubs

What green fees cost

Green fees are good value by international standards. A round typically runs from about R400 at a quieter public course to R1,200 or more at the marquee estate courses. You pay in South African rand; at recent exchange rates that's very roughly US$25 to US$70 (around £20 to £55, or €25 to €65). Exchange rates and seasonal pricing move, so treat these as a rough guide. Where a club publishes its rate, it shows next to each tee time, and you can sort results by price to find the cheapest round for your date.

When to play

Johannesburg golf is a year-round affair. Winter, from May to August, is the sweet spot: dry, sunny and still, with cold early mornings that warm into glorious afternoons. Summer, from October to March, is warm and green but brings dramatic late-afternoon thunderstorms, so tee off in the morning. One thing every visitor notices: at roughly 1,750 m above sea level, the air is thin and the ball carries noticeably further, often close to ten percent, so club down until you get a feel for it.

Where to base yourself

If you're flying in, the Nicklaus-designed Serengeti sits minutes from OR Tambo International, an easy first or last round of a trip. Business travellers usually stay in Sandton, and plenty of good golf is a short drive away, from the mature parkland of Wanderers and Houghton to Bryanston and the two courses at Royal Johannesburg & Kensington.

Browse courses near Sandton

Good to know

Caddies are widely available and part of the experience, even where you take a cart.
Motorised carts (golf cars) can usually be hired; many locals still prefer to walk.
A collared shirt is the norm; most clubs have a smart-casual dress code.
Book ahead for weekends and public holidays, when tee sheets fill fast.
The Highveld sun is strong at altitude, so bring sunscreen and plenty of water.
You settle green fees, carts and caddies directly with each course.

Johannesburg's top-ranked courses

Johannesburg punches above its weight nationally. These are the city's highest-ranked courses in the Golf Digest South Africa Top 100 (2026 edition), several of which welcome visitors.