Here at the Wanderers Golf Course, history and sport intertwine. Wanderers Golf Club is one of South Africa’s older, more revered clubs. This parklands course challenges golfers of all skill levels.
The Wanderers Golf Club’s story began in the 1930s. Victor Kent, Wanderers Club Chairman, arranged the land purchase. His friend Felix Oliver designed the course. Due to limited space in Illovo, Oliver created a narrow, tree-lined layout. His design largely remains today. The first ten holes opened in 1937 and the final eight in 1942.
From 1972 to 1995, Wanderers hosted the SA PGA Championship. Most of South Africa’s great golfers won here, except Nick Price. The Wanderers isn’t overly difficult but its narrow fairways reward accurate shots. It demands finesse over power.
In 1999, Rob O’Friel revamped the course. Wanderers is now one of three courses with a SubAir system under its bent greens. This system keeps the course playable during wet summers. The Wanderers is centrally located in Gauteng. It is known for its friendly, social atmosphere. The club has 1450 passionate members. Its calendar is full of special competitions and touring groups.
The par-71 layout has an unusual design. There are three par-threes on the back nine and only one on the front. The first three holes were lost when Wanderers Cricket Stadium was built in the 1950s. The cricket stand towers over the 10th hole. The 10th is a par-five and the longest on the course at 533 meters.
The front nine features seven par-fours. The first hole was lengthened into a 516-meter par-five during renovations. Each nine has two strong par-fours requiring drivers. The 5th hole is 440 meters long with a wider fairway. A new fairway bunker has made it tougher. The 7th hole is a classic dogleg par-four of 441 meters. Its fairway bunkers have been rebuilt to narrow the landing area.
The 7th hole is a tricky, long par 4. An elevated tee box looks down at a narrow fairway. A bunker sits on the left. A water feature stretches from the right rough to the fairway’s center. Brave golfers try to clear the bunker. A mishit shot could land under trees, in the water, or up the hill from the bunker. A 200-meter uphill second shot awaits to a well-guarded green. Par is a great score here.
The 10th hole is a creative par 5. A simple downhill drive with an open fairway greets you. Hitting the fairway presents a challenge. Do you go for the green or lay up? A tricky third shot remains. The green has water left and along the right. Deep bunkers surround the right side. Landing in the bunkers might not save shots. The green slopes away from the right bunkers making it hard to stop the ball near the hole. Par is a good score if you play cleverly.
Wanderers Golf Club is eco-friendly and designed by Robert “Bob” Grimsdell. It is a classic-style course with a rich history dating back to 1939. Originally a ten-hole course, it matured to eighteen holes over the years. The course features Kikuyu fairway grass and Bent greens grass. It has a championship length of 6914m and a club length of 6575m. The Wanderers is more than just a golf course. It’s a testament to history, design, and the spirit of the game.