36

Parkview

Johannesburg - Gauteng

Played this course? Review it now
Club director: Mark Fraser
Greenkeeper: Ashley Nenungwi
Club captain: Nick Ferguson
Chairman: Colin Robinson
CRITERIA SUMMARY: Total points 73.1 out of 100
Conditioning14.9 / 20
Playability14.8 / 20
Aesthetics11.5 / 15
Design Variety11.4 / 15
Shot Values10.1 / 15
Memorability10.4 / 15

Course Summary

Three tees / Par 72

Yellow 6603 metres, CR74.2/140
White 6278 metres, CR72.5/136
Blue 5659 metres, CR68.6/132
Women’s white, CR79.1/152
Women’s blue, CR74.8/146

Visitor green fee

Weekday R350 to R400
Weekend R500 to R720

Course designer

Laurie Waters 1916

Contact

011 646 5400
www.parkviewgolf.co.za

Previous ranking

37 (2023), 33 (2022) & 34 (2021)

Parkview celebrated its centenary in 2016, and its parkland layout is one of the oldest in Gauteng, with many of the original holes remaining. It does have a modern look to it, though, as a major upgrade by Golf Data in 2001 transformed a deteriorating classic thanks to new greens (with Penn A4 bent grass), stylish bunkering, swales and mounding. Plus, a water hazard built in front of the green at the par-3 15th has made this a signature hole. It’s not a lengthy course, but with 12 par 4s and creatively designed greens it remains a strong challenge when the green speeds are up.

Parkview has long been associated with Bobby Locke, and a lifesize statue of the four-time Open champion was erected beside the clubhouse in 2016. Locke became a sporting sensation at Parkview in 1935 when he claimed the SA Open and SA Amateur trophies in the same week at the age of 17. He was made an honorary member and embraced this privilege for the rest of his life. It was the only time the championships were held at the club.

Parkview is similar to nearby Killarney GC in that it is shoe-horned into three narrow parcels of land, each separated by roads. A deep stormwater sluit runs through the middle, with holes on either side, and occasionally features as a hazard. The biggest parcel contains the first eight holes, including some of the most attractive, before returning to the clubhouse.

Parkview is renowned for being a hospitable and social members club and that spirit has continued to thrive. The modest-sized clubhouse has much to do with that. It’s only a few strides from the front door to the locker room or bar, or downstairs to the putting green and pro shop.

The original Parkview layout designed by Laurie Waters was long and demanding for its era, with a par of 78. Four new holes were designed by English architect Colonel SV Hotchkin in 1930-31 when land was swapped for housing. These are the four holes 12-15.

Parkview is one of several Gauteng clubs which saw a big membership boost in 2020-21 following the Covid lockdown. The membership had to be closed at 850 in 2021, and there is a waiting list.

Additional Course Facts

Course Record

62 by Ashley Roestoff

Feature Holes

Unusually, Parkview has just three par 5s and three par 3s. Two of the par 5s are back-to-back alongside each other (13-14) and beautiful holes in that the land slopes and tumbles. The par 3s are an excellent trio. The most distinctive hole is the par-4 fourth, known as The Wallers, strikingly unique and difficult, played from an elevated tee to a fairway which curves away left to the green around a stand of trees. A housing development left of the hole is on former club land, and this paid for the Golf Data upgrade.

Practice Facility

Range forms part of ninth fairway. Short-game area and practice putting green.

Club Champions

2023 John Walters & Karen Wales
2022 Hanno de Wet & Karen Wales
2021 Llewellyn Green & Yuko Sargent
2020 Ben Hatchwell & Karen Wales
2019 Gareth Honke & Yuko Sargent

Did You Know

1/ Parkview hosts the Bobby Locke Festival in November; a week later followed by the Bobby Locke Open, a 54-hole tournament which became a SAGA ranking event in 2016.

2/ Deon Germishuys, the 2018 SA Amateur champion, posted a tournament record 63 (10 birdies) in the 2017 Bobby Locke. He had a back nine of 7-under 30.

3/ The late Dave Symons, member of the SA Hall of Fame, joined the club as a junior in 1952. He won the club championship 16 times over four decades (1959-1988).

4/ Parkview GC was created between 1912 and 1916 by an early 20th century development company as a way of luring Johannesburg residents to buy stands in this new suburb seven kilometres north of the city centre. Parkview and Observatory in the east remain the two closest golf clubs from Joburg City Hall.

5/ Street names in surrounding suburbs have a golf theme – top UK links Troon, Muirfield, Cruden Bay and Hoylake, plus Open champions Sarazen, Cotton, Vardon, Hagen and Taylor.

6/ James Searson had two albatross in 2017 and 2020, a 2 at 518m par-5 13th, and hole-in-one at 300m par-4 16th. Former club pro Ashley Roestoff had the first hole-in-one on 330m sixth in 2009, matched in 2019 by Matthew Sham.

Course and Facilities Rating
blankConditioning Ratings
Greensblankblankblankblankblank
Bunkersblankblankblankblankblank
Teesblankblankblankblankblank
Fairwaysblankblankblankblankblank
Presentationblankblankblankblankblank
Overall Conditioningblankblankblankblankblank
blankFacility Ratings
Pace of Playblankblankblankblankblank
Practice Facilityblankblankblankblankblank
Halfway Houseblankblankblankblankblank
Pro Shopblankblankblankblankblank
Serviceblankblankblankblankblank
Locker Roomblankblankblankblankblank
19th Holeblankblankblankblankblank
Course Etiquetteblankblankblankblankblank
Course Reviews
There's a proposal at Parkview to transform the gentle opening hole, a 473-metre par 5, into something altogether more challenging. A 200-metre-long storage dam would be built on the right side of the fairway up to the front of the green. It would make a telling difference to a hole that some might regard as an easy birdie and introduce a new element to this outstanding layout. Parkview as a club don't sit still. Their visitor car park adjoining the first hole has shelters covered in solar panels which has substantially lowered power bills and provided off-grid capabilities. The upper tee on the par-3 fifth has been enlarged. And new cart paths enhance the experience for the four-wheeled brigade, plus improve access for maintenance vehicles. Parkview generally is in a stunning condition. Presentation is pristine. A delightful walk.
Stuart McLean
28 May 2023
Parkview is one of the best walks in Gauteng. The course is in excellent condition, the greens consistently good in early autumn. It follows an interesting routing along the Braamfontein Spruit, with the dreaded "sluit" waiting to pounce on an errant shot. The margin for error is small off the tee, and putting an iron in play is often the preferred choice. The par 3s, only three of them, offer excellent variety, the signature 15th being a strong test with a longer iron in your hand off the back tee. No 4, "The Wallers," stroke 1, is one of the toughest holes, a test off the tee and with your approach. Scoring opportunities come on the three par 5s (1, 13 and 14) but require accuracy when selecting your entry point to the greens. Parkview is a gem and won't disappoint with its quality service and the quirkiness of a course which has endeared itself to many Johannesburg golfers for more than 100 years.
Jon James
12 April 2023
blank
View more reviews
The classic golf experience. Parkview is a beautiful course and the conditioning all year is up there with the best. Fun to play, and it includes some memorable holes, my favourites being 2 to 4, 7 to 9 and 15 to 17. While every hole is tree-lined the fairways are wide enough to give every player an enjoyable experience. Great greens and attractive bunkering that frames the individual holes.
Thinus Keller
04 January 2023
While the course definitely looks and plays well, the greens were a touch slow and not in the same condition as some other Johannesburg courses. However, given the deluge of rain in Gauteng, Parkview is holding up well in comparison to other courses. Parkview is always a pleasant round. Staff are friendly and willing to assist.
Chris Wood
13 December 2022
Parkview is arguably one of the best conditioned courses in Gauteng and has been for some time. Plaudits to greenkeeper Ashley Nenungwi and his team. The greens are rolled regularly and run fast and true. Fairways are in excellent condition and cut tight. A real pleasure to play.
David Frost
28 March 2022
The presentation at Parkview is exceptional and the greens have a consistency and responsiveness that makes for a pleasurable round. The attention to detail is another aspect that impresses when you play this Johannesburg gem. The Par 3 distance boards, for all tees, are clear and updated. This should be standard at our courses. The bunker project has been significant. Most greenside traps are well presented and the refined white sand pleasing to the eye. Parkview is not long but will bare its teeth when you stray from the fairway. The kikuyu rough is brutal and our fourball experienced its "chip-out-sideways" effect. The par-3 15th is visually intimidating with water short of the green and bunkers both left and right of the pin. The three par 5s are all reachable in two, particularly the 14th which has a second shot played downhill to a well guarded green. Risk and reward is a common theme with multiple options available off the tee: 12 and 16 being good examples of tempting short par 4s. In contrast the Wallers (par-4 fourth and stroke 1) is one of the most demanding of holes. The nuances, greens and variety of design will keep you coming back for more at the home of "Bobby Locke."
Jon James
23 March 2022

Augusta National is arguably the world’s most famous and coveted golf course. We all dream of playing there but most of us will never get close. However, I have a solution. Go to Parkview Golf Club, it’s the authentic Augusta experience! The course is home to some of the slickest greens you’ll find on our shores and stunning tree-lined fairways. And Parkview has its own Amen Corner when you cross a live road to play holes 12 to 15 in the suburb of Emmarentia. Play here in the summer and you’ll find the track dressed in a wonderful “Green Jacket.”

George Raubenheimer
13 March 2022
A parkland layout which keeps getting better in the heart of Johannesburg. Parkview continues to provide a good test and is currently in excellent condition. The bunkers are consistent and the greens are running true. It is clear that Parkview is well supported by members and visitors. The Monday special is probably the best value for money in Gauteng. The service is always of a high standard and the 19th is a treat.
Jon James
20 April 2021
Parkview has a traditional old 19th hole, with a magnificent bar counter, the scene of much bonhomie over the past century. However, in these Covid times, and on a warm evening, the outside balcony overlooking the 18th green is where golfers gather, and it too has an embracing after-golf atmosphere and setting. Everything about the interior of the Parkview clubhouse appeals to my sense of tradition. Smartly turned out but not overblown. Lots of honours boards and trophies on display paying homage to the members of yesteryear. One of my favourite locker rooms where you can look out from the top floor over the practice putting green. And how convenient all the clubhouse facilities are to a fabulous golf course.
Stuart McLean
19 April 2021
A club and course I have always enjoyed in a superb setting. On the day I played I was especially impressed with the fairways. The kikuyu was closely cut, providing an excellent playing surface. Parkview challenges you in the sense that there are dogleg holes both left and right. The only drawback is that public roads cut the course into three sections.
David Stratton
14 February 2021
Such a pretty parkland course and I found myself taking numerous photos during the round. The greens are lightning fast and you're punished if you don't get your speed or line right.
Tara Swart
18 January 2021

Played Parkview many times during what has been the coldest Gauteng winter for some years, and the greens have been among the best in the region.

David Frost
10 September 2020
Great course! Bunkers iffy at times but the greens make up for that. Longer hitters can take on all three of the par 5s.
Sandor Kovacs
18 April 2020
Parkview is renowned for quality greens in terms of design, pace and texture, and putting on them is pure delight. Incredible how this layout has been shoe-horned on either side of a storm-water sluit and yet still conveys a sense of space. It's a very different experience to play it. The clubhouse is one of my favourites in South Africa. Traditional to a tee, smart, comfortable and unpretentious.
Stuart McLean
20 March 2020
Condition has improved immeasurably in last 18 months. Fairways great and greens among best in Joburg - great pace and firm. Credit to greenkeeper Ashley Nenungwi and his team!
David Frost
29 February 2020
Submit Your Review & Ratings

HAVE YOU PLAYED Parkview RECENTLY?

If you've played this course recently, why not tell us all about it? Follow the link to our review section, complete our grading criteria and give us some details on your experience. If selected, your review will appear amongst the course’s collection of player reviews.

Course Location
Other Top 100 Courses in the Area
  • Randpark Firethorn
    Randburg
    RANKED 37
  • Bryanston
    Sandton
    RANKED 34
  • Houghton
    Johannesburg
    RANKED 30
  • Randpark Bushwillow
    Randburg
    RANKED 83
  • Killarney
    Johannesburg
    RANKED 47
  • Wanderers
    Johannesburg
    RANKED 65