(A) Atlantic Beach, Western Cape
With out of bounds a severe threat on many holes, particularly when a brisk wind is blowing, this course is at best challenging – at worst a nightmare. The good news is that once a player learns how to play this layout (as with most courses) it does get easier, but the first-time, high-handicap player is in for a torrid time of it.
(B) Blair Atholl, Gauteng
From the championship tees with tournament pin positions this course will soon sort out the men from the boys. Even from the club tees, this course demands that approaches be hit high and accurately, or a lot of time will be spent in the bunkers. As if this is not enough to scare off the weaker player, the greens are slick and severely contoured.
(C) Elements, Limpopo
This course is a bushveld beauty – but do not expect any favours from the layout. It is long, the rough is penal and the greens complexes are meant to punish the shot that misses the target. The best advice is to stay on the fairways here – always easier said than done. This is a fine layout that does not suffer fools.
(D)The Links at Fancourt, Garden Route
This links theme park remains the standard bearer for brutality on the Garden Route. Between the impenetrable grasses, the severe undulations on the fairways and greens and the relentless demands on shot-making skills, it’s enough to bring a grown man to tears.
(E) Gary Player Country Club, North West Province
At one time this course was considered to be the toughest in the land, and it still makes demands that average players fail to meet. Even from the forward tees, forced carries and wicked rough can play havoc with a player’s mind, and once the wheels come off it is tough to get them back on. Some of the best players in the world have failed to break 80 here, and they were not playing every hole from the championship tees – need we say more?
(F) Humewood, Eastern Cape
A grand old championship links in the classic mould – benign on the occasional calm day, but a fierce proposition when the infamous wind gets up. No trickery to this design – what you see is what you get, and unless players have some experience of playing in the wind, they are in for a tough time.
(G) Pinnacle Point, Garden Route
Beautiful though this course may be, any player hoping to score well when the wind is up is in for a frustrating time. The forced carries, although not that far, will see a few balls being lost, and if an 18-handicapper can break 100 here they have played well. Out best advice is to enjoy the views and forget about your score.
(H) San Lameer, KwaZulu-Natal
Stories of golfers running out of ammunition here are legion. Of course, there is a way to play this course without losing balls in the many water hazards, but most golfers have yet to work out how. There are some great holes here, but many that will ruin a scorecard.
(I) St Francis Links, Eastern Cape
Just when it was assumed that Jack Nicklaus always designs playable courses that allow for fair margins for error off the tee, the great man came up with this penal test. The classical influences that inspired this design may be lost on many golfers, along with their stock of balls.
(J) Wild Coast Sun, Eastern Cape
In calm conditions many a professional has shot the lights out here, but players who do not regularly break 90 on their home courses have little chance of finishing in double digits when the wind is blowing and the white horses are dancing on the waves.
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