21 VOLKSRUST Volksrust, Mpumalanga Highveld DOWN 6 • SCORE 41.7/60 Clubhouse 6 / Aesthetics 7.5 / Conditioning 5.7 / Design Variety 8 / Innovation 7 / Challenge 7.5 A lengthy 9-holer at 6 399 metres, Volkrust features well-designed holes on gently undulating and tree-lined terrain. It was the home course of Sunshine Tour star Nico van Rensburg. The club and course originated in the early 1900s, and an ancient giant tree which resembles a redwood is a striking feature in the middle of the fairway on the downhill par-4 second hole. From the back tee, golfers must either fly their drives over the top of the tree or find a way around it.
22 HELDERBERG VILLAGE Somerset West, Western Cape NEW ENTRY • SCORE 41.5/60 Clubhouse 8 / Aesthetics 7.5 / Conditioning 7 / Design Variety 7 / Innovation 6 / Challenge 6 One of three courses in Somerset West, Helderberg Village is overlooked, being a short 9-holer measuring 5 349 metres from the tips. An enjoyable and scenic Par 70 gem, in a high-end retirement estate. On the lower slopes of Helderberg mountain, with beautiful views, it is undulating in places and narrow at times. Conditioning is excellent, and it has attractively shaped modern greens. It opens with a par 3 in front of the clubhouse, and there are six good par 4s, just the one par 5, the steeply uphill, dogleg right second hole. Opened in 1990, the design is said to have been by an associate of Bob Grimsdell, possibly Bill Kerr.
23 ESTCOURT Estcourt, KZN Midlands
DOWN 5 • SCORE 41.2/60 Clubhouse 6.5 / Aesthetics 7.5 / Conditioning 7.5 / Design Variety 7 / Innovation 5.5 / Challenge 7 The entrance road through an industrial estate doesn’t look promising, yet a surprise awaits when you see this attractive layout in unspoiled rolling countryside. An interesting test of golf too in good condition. A stream runs through the property and comes into play on the opening hole. For more than 60 years it has hosted the 36-hole Estcourt Open (November) and the club goes to the trouble of changing the pins for the second round played on the same day. Past champions include Bobby Locke, Reg Taylor, and David Frost. Wonderful last hole played from an elevated tee, with an uphill approach to the green.
POLISHED HIGHVELD GEM Chrome Golf Club in the rugged southern terrain of Limpopo is a new entry at No 25. The par-5 opening dogleg is on the right.
GOLF DIGEST SOUTH AFRICA 117
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2026
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