213 - Blair Atholl

Location: Johannesburg, South Africa

Rating: 8.5

I heard rumours about Blair Atholl, vicious truths about a beast of a golf course, and in fact the second longest course in the world off the black tees. Any sane person wouldn’t do that to themselves but I feel pity for the professionals who have to endure this 8,350 yard beast.

Located outside the north western suburbs of Johannesburg, this estate golf course was built primarily on the legendary Gary Player’s old farm. It is a beautiful estate with a combined focus on not only the golf course but also an equestrian centre.

On a warm Sunday afternoon I was paired with a couple of members who were kind enough to guide me through the course and its intricacies. The course was extremely quiet, we could barely notice another group in sight and that’s another one of the beauties of this course, almost all holes are independent to each other. Playing off the silver tees at 6,400 metres was a very sensible choice, especially with the ‘Blair Mile’ to contend with on the back 9.

Starting with a downhill par 5 at a touch under 500 metres you wouldn’t think it is the trickiest opening hole but with out of bounds down the left you better make sure you are warmed up. I stuck my opening tee shot into someone's back garden. The course continues to weave back and forth across the Crocodile River, don’t worry, no actual crocodiles are in this stretch. The 3rd hole was probably one of my favourites, a stunning downhill par 3 with the green nestled in the forest protected by water short and a couple of raking bunkers.

The 8th hole is another equally stunning par 3, with a similar setting followed by which is arguably the best halfway house I have seen. Nestled in the bush, situated just above the river you sit in tranquillity served with some sumptuous food. Included in your green fee is the halfway food and on this Sunday we were treated to a tasty stir fry and dessert before we embarked on the remaining 10 holes.

As if not to make things worse, holes 14, 15 and 16 are known as the Blair Mile and are the longest par 4’s in succession in South Africa. The 16th is an absolute monster of a par 4. ‘Only’ 386 metres off the silver tee but it bends to the right, is uphill and on the day was into the wind. It would’ve been nigh on impossible for me to reach in two with two of my best strikes. 17 is another picturesque par 3 hitting across the Crocodile River and 18 is an uphill par 5 finishing at the foot of the wonderfully designed clubhouse.

A great course, not as brutal as it was made out to be but we did jump a set of tees forward and great hospitality all round. On arrival you pass by the door of the clubhouse and they collect your bags, stick a name tag on and whisk it away to the cart. It is a cart only course and as someone who loves to walk a course I wouldn’t take this beast on.

The practice facilities were excellent, driving range with an unlimited supply of balls hitting off the grass as well as a separate short game ‘range’. The course was in very good condition just coming out of winter, you could see the dryness in places but the fairways were plenty lush and the greens nice, firm and fast. At R1,800 for an international visitor it is very very good value for money, definitely recommend and rightly one of SA’s top courses.