Blair Atholl

Demanding course with long holes, yet so many interesting features. I liked the design and challenge of the greens, particularly No 7 which at 332 metres (uphill) is easily the shortest 4, leaving a pitch approach. It has an awkwardly angled green with a slope on the side facing the fairway, so a ball catching this is repelled some distance off the green, leaving a difficult recovery. There are uphill approaches into greens through the turn at 9-10-11, and the ninth green is remarkably wide from one side of a hillside to another. A left pin is enclosed by a pair of deep bunkers, while a right pin has a bunker behind it. It's 365m, second shortest 4, yet any misjudgment can be costly.

Lamprecht de Villiers

07 April 2024

All the playing surfaces are immaculate. No placing on the fairways, the cynodon grass is a pleasure to play from. If you choose the correct tees the course is fun and landing areas wide. Our group played silver tees, gold and black further back would have been challenging. Many great features, most notable being the size of the greens. Blair Atholl is a big course and worthy of its reputation.

Thinus Keller

21 March 2024

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Millions of plastic water bottles are sold at clubs, then discarded, sometimes carelessly into wetlands and out-of-play areas. Blair Atholl is countering this unsustainable practice by building water fountains on the course and asking members and visitors to take reusable bottles when playing. Good environmental initiative. The course has recovered from its stressful SA Open experience in December where the greens were not watered for four hot days and the bent grass suffered. The putting experience on the oversized greens at Blair Atholl is a feature of teeing up here. If a pin is tucked away on one end of a green you can face lengthy putts of 30 metres and more. The best putters come to the fore in those circumstances because the second putt is usually not in tap-in range.

Stuart McLean

26 February 2024

This is a big course and that represents a lot of the challenge of playing there. Some of the holes are 'lost' in the surrounding expanse of countryside and the beautiful views which greatly adds to the enjoyment of Blair Atholl.

Mark Lynam

06 February 2024

Although a long course off the gold tees, there is plenty of width on both sides of the fairways on most holes. The “circular” layout adds to the challenge of playing holes in different directions and the design will ensure you earn every birdie. The layout of the uphill short par-4 seventh is lacking in definition. Four of the five par 3s played similar in length (roughly 195m) except for the shorter 17th. I enjoyed the flow of practice facilities from the range leading to the first tee, and also that each cart had its own rake, which means there are none lying around bunkers.

Lihan van der Merwe

23 January 2024

Blair Atholl is preparing for next week's SA Open, and two new black steel bridges, to replace those damaged in the December 2022 flooding of the Crocodile River, are now in place at the eighth green and 16th tee. They are impressive structures and a big improvement on the old bridges. Without much rain yet the growth of the rough for the Open hasn't been what the club would like, while the fairways are still knitting in. Preferred lies might be necessary. The greens are outstanding as always, fabulous surfaces on which to chip and putt. There are two towering hospitality stands alongside the 18th green, one so close to the right edge of the actual green that it casts a shadow over that section of the green. The stream in front of the green runs between the two.

Stuart McLean

23 November 2023

Coming from Spain, this course has changed my way of looking at the game. I thought it could not get better, playing Valderrama and Finca Cortesin. Blair Atholl told me I was wrong. The crazy amount of space utilised for the course, the houses far away from the fairways, and so many different tees and pin positions that you hardly ever play the same course. Never boring, always a challenge. We can improve things, as anybody can, but our next level of improvement is towards world-class, not just excellence. Living in this unique lifestyle estate is difficult to match in any aspect. Space and security provide quality of life. Playing a few late afternoon holes with those incomparable SA sunsets is the magic of being a member at BA.

Thomas Steinmetz

15 November 2023

Every time I visit Blair Atholl there is work being done to improve the layout and keep it in the best possible condition. A new bridge across the Crocodile River was being put in place on the eighth hole, the old concrete one having been swept aside in the December 2022 floods. The course is both challenging and yet fun to play. My favourite aspect of Blair Atholl is its greens. The slopes are gentle and yet offer a level of intimidation that make you think long and hard about each putt. Watch out particularly for the greens at Nos 6 and 7. Holes 8 and 17 are stunning par 3s. The halfway house on the river's edge remains the best setting of any in South Africa.

Sabelo Ndabazandile

23 June 2023

The Blair Atholl experience is impressive in all respects. The course is in outstanding condition, befitting its current ranking as No 1 in Gauteng. Bunker projects have been ongoing, and a cavernous practice bunker now flanks the short-game area, preparing golfers for what lies ahead. The bunkers are vast in size and number and a true challenge with their high faces. Incredibly strong championship layout with frequent elevation changes and no weak holes. Of the par 3s I find Nos 8 and 17 most enjoyable. Blair Atholl is renowned for its extreme length, and the Blair Mile (holes 14 to 16) includes the longest three consecutive par 4s you will ever play. No 16 is an uphill beast playing 481m off the silver tees. However, you can play it at 348 from the front white tees, and a choice of five different tee markers enables everyone to enjoy Blair Atholl.

Jon James

22 May 2023

Blair Atholl is one of my top 10 golf experiences in SA as it offers up new challenges each time you tee it up. The course has the best greens complexes in the country. Plus, the conditioning is consistently superb. The size and variability of the layout is a highlight, making it easy for the operations team to change pin and tee placements. It was great to see a true championship layout like this host the SA Open.

Chris Wood

19 December 2022

It's been days of cleaning up at Blair Atholl after the Crocodile River raged through the course in a flash flood on Friday last week, following heavy rain in the catchment area in Krugersdorp. The river rose so high that it covered the par-3 eighth green, swept away the bridge linking tee and green, and swamped the halfway house next to it. The kitchen was knee deep in water. The railway sleeper cart track from the eighth green to the halfway house will have to be rebuilt. The main bridges at No 4 and 16 survived but not the low-level bridges at 16 which disappeared. Currently 13 holes are open, 9-18 and then 1-3 after halfway in the clubhouse. All 18 should be open for play next week.

Stuart McLean

13 December 2022

Blair Atholl performed well on its SA Open debut, showing on the final day it is up there with Gary Player CC and Glendower as our three most challenging and exciting tournament layouts. Not only did the leaders struggle to get over the line, but the course scoring average for round four ballooned to 73.12, compared to 72.45 in the final round of the Nedbank Challenge. Admittedly the quality of the field was stronger at Sun City, yet it's evident that Blair Atholl is an exacting test for tour pros. No one broke 70 in each round. New Open champion Thriston Lawrence had 26 birdies in 72 holes in a freakishly brilliant display, yet 8 bogeys and a double is a large tally of drops for a winner. Again, interesting to follow Wilco Nienaber's scores. He was 10-under for the par 5s until he reached No 13 on Sunday and made a 9! It's rare to see him make worse than par. There were 3 aces in the championship, perhaps a first for the Open? Records from before 2000 are incomplete.

Thomas Souness

09 December 2022

Another visit to Blair Atholl has not diminished my opinion and respect for this spectacular course and the club's outstanding facilities. Silver (club) tee boxes have been shortened by about 500m overall which has improved the playability for club golfers. Even then it remains a long and difficult challenge at just under 6 500 metres. There are five tee box options and I would recommend choosing the one that suits your length off the tee.

Roy Jones

09 December 2022

Blair Atholl is back to its best, presenting a "wow factor" to this exclusive Gauteng experience. The course has undergone a transformation the past three years, with significant work completed on the extensive bunkering. It felt like they were attracting my wayward shots all day long! The greens complexes present some of the most challenging approaches in SA golf. The Investec SA Open in the first week of December will call Blair Atholl its new home for the next few years. It will be interesting to see the course setup and watch the pros take on this championship test which will present beautifully on the DP World Tour coverage. Kudos to Paul Marks and his excellent team for bringing Blair Atholl back to the summit in Gauteng.

Jon James

05 November 2022

Accessing an exclusive course like Blair Atholl as a visitor used to seem an unattainable goal and initially one felt like an intruder. Golf director Paul Marks has changed the atmosphere and it is more welcoming to visitors. Friendly faces greet you on arrival. The smiles remain as you slink out of the club with your tail between your legs having been humbled by the beast. Having played both silver and bronze tees in the past, I am delighted there is now an in-between option that offers a fairer challenge between the extreme length and subtle variations the course offers. The first eight holes, towards one of the most beautiful and unique halfway houses, is one of the best stretch of golfing holes in Gauteng, offering variations that keep you on your toes. The second half of the course, especially in a breeze, offers a challenge in concentration and power, with the 16th a monster par 4 at 481 metres uphill with bunkers to carry. Laying up here even for a long hitter is not embarrassing. It is actually advisable and may offer a better chance for par.

Sabelo Ndabazandile

22 July 2022

The Blair Atholl experience is memorable. The course is a true test off the silver (club) tees (6746m), let alone the gold which play at 7527m. This is an outstanding Gary Player design. The design variety and course routing provide scoring opportunities on the five par 5s, while testing the amateur golfer on the five par 3s. The signature third was playing 175m into a light breeze and it was a personal highlight to make a 2 for the first time on a hole modelled on the 12th at Augusta. The sixth, playing 200m, was one of the most difficult holes. Its greens complex, like many at Blair Atholl, is a masterpiece and precision is required off the tee. A narrow miss can leave you with an extremely long putt which is difficult to gauge. You will encounter the local “Amen Corner” on the back nine and it is the most testing in Gauteng. The 15th and 16th are absolute brute par 4s and the uphill stroke 1 16th will often require a lay-up playing at 481m. Par on either hole feels like an accomplishment. The greens are in exceptional condition and a bunker project is progressing at pace. Blair Atholl re-entered the Top 10 in 2022 and looks likely to climb further if current conditioning, enhancement to the tee boxes, and bridge upgrade projects deliver expected returns. It is a course that looks, feels and plays like a true championship test. It would be incredible to see it host a Presidents Cup.

Jon James

03 May 2022

Good to be back at Blair Atholl after last playing here three years ago when conditioning was average. The course is now in superb condition. Greens hard and fast (a wake-up call to other top 10 courses that don't roll their greens and keep them relatively slow), bunkers well maintained and uniform, fairways in good shape. A testing but fair layout and a choice of different tees to play from. Credit to Paul Marks and his team for a world class experience. Easy to see why it makes the top 10 and I can see it moving further up the rankings.

David Frost

02 May 2022

Lovely design. Conditioning used to be better, hope it will improve again.

Pieter Odendaal

29 March 2022

World-class experience and in my opinion a top 6 course in SA. I tried to find fault during my playing experience and could find none, other than the course playability being too tough off the tips for the ordinary golfer.

Neville Clarke

29 January 2022

I enjoy the Blair Atholl experience, the layout, the greens, and as a visitor feel like I’m treated as a member. The greens are the strong point of the course, and I love the variety and size of the challenge.

Chris Wood

26 January 2022

A course improving year on year and a fine testament to the legacy and vision of Gary Player. One of the longest and most difficult of courses from the championship tees, even playing from the club tees adds a few shots to your handicap index. However, there are options to choose from and I recommend that shorter hitters choose the forward set. Having often played from the silver tees, for my latest game I thoroughly enjoyed teeing off from the bronze markers which offered a different vision of Blair Atholl. Although it reduced the playing difficulty it did not detract from the enjoyment.

Roy Jones

04 January 2022

There is a massive difference in distance and playability between the silver (6742m) and the bronze tees (5875m) at Blair Atholl. Another tee midway between the two would add another dimension for the medium hitter who might feel overwhelmed by the silver tees. Excellent condition and experience overall. Note from editor: Blair Atholl golf director Paul Marks last year created two composite courses using a mixture of tees to cater for more golfers of differing abilities. The Red course is 6352m and the Green 5553m. Each has been assigned its own Course Rating and Slope. That means there are now six different sets of tees to play from at Blair Atholl.

Sabelo Ndabazandile

01 January 2022

A special experience. Get there early and enjoy the practice facilities. The course is extremely long but still feels enjoyable. Thankfully the fairways are wide and the greens huge. The first 8 holes are relatively gentle, the highlight being an Augusta inspired par-3 third. The halfway house is exceptional, good food enjoyed on the banks of the Crocodile River. The challenge ramps up on the closing holes, with a succession of long par 4s. Be prepared to drop a few shots!

Avinash Kalkapersad

21 December 2021

First visit to this course and to be honest I had no idea what I was in for. The overall golfing experience is amazing. I particularly enjoyed the flow of the design before the round, starting at the range (grass bays), then on to the chipping area and the putting green as you make your way to the first tee. Best you make use of all these facilities before tackling the course as the holes are long and the greens big. The par-3 third hole is memorable and one on which to get out the camera. Blair Atholl is one of the courses high up on my list to play when I return to Gauteng.

Lihan van der Merwe

11 December 2021

Blair Atholl has undergone a transformation in conditioning and presentation. Impressive to see it back to the levels you expect at this spectacular estate course. Everything about Blair Atholl is on a grand scale. The greens, bunkers and open spaces are vast -- it is not uncommon to struggle with two-putting. The design variety, placement of the bunkers and greens complexes are outstanding. I particularly enjoy two of the par 3s, the signature third with its look which reminds many golfers of Augusta, and No 17 which has one of the smaller greens surrounded by sand and water. The par 5s are interesting and varied with my favourites being the adjoining first and 18th which keep your attention both off the tee and with your approaches. In keeping with this exclusive club the service is outstanding. It is clear that Blair Atholl is again a strong contender for a Top 10 ranking.

Jon James

06 December 2021

Residents at Blair Atholl not only enjoy one of our best golf courses, whose conditioning is currently superb, but there is a wonderful variety of wildlife to be seen or heard on this large country estate, notably bird species which you rarely glimpse at most other Gauteng courses, either inhabiting the bush or the many wetlands. I spotted two leguans during my 18 holes, one juvenile sitting on a rock in the Crocodile River who then bravely took on the fast-flowing current and crossed back to shore in an instant. The sublime views looking north from the clubhouse, down the 18th fairway and over rolling hills towards the distant Magaliesberg, rank among the most scenic in the country, especially in late afternoon.

Stuart McLean

03 December 2021

An exceptional experience from the minute you drive through the gates. A great test of golf with an unforgettable halfway house and an awesome finish. The ambience is quiet, relaxing, and Blair Atholl is a bucket list venue.

Ashley Parker

22 November 2021

Blair Atholl is a stern test. The conditions were sublime although the greens had been hollow-tined, meaning they were not running as pure and quickly as usual. This does detract a bit from the experience as the greens complexes are the highlight for me. It was good to see new bunker sand being put into several bunkers and work being done to shape and keep these in top condition, something many courses don't do often enough. The experience and customer service at Blair Atholl is top notch. Some damage has been done to greens by springbok but it didn't affect play and I'm comfortable with that given it adds a South African aspect to the course.

Chris Wood

11 May 2021

Blair Atholl is an amazing experience and needs to be on every golfer's bucket list. The breakfast is excellent and the practice facilities world class. Playing off the forward bronze tees makes for an enjoyable experience. The course is a monster off the longer tees. The halfway house after the 8th hole, on the Crocodile River, provides a delicious assortment of food and drink. The layout is interesting and testing, with an abundance of trees and very little sound apart from the chatter of birds. Drinks in the clubhouse completed a perfect golf day.

Ed raubenheimer

01 May 2021

A golf outing at Blair Atholl is one to savour, a "stop and smell the roses" moment. Take the time to look around and appreciate both a remarkable Gary Player golf course and an exceptional golf experience from arrival to departure which to my mind is only equalled by Leopard Creek and The Links for exclusivity, service and aesthetics. Each golf cart in our fourball had a caddie who did an exceptional job in making our day as pleasant as possible. The course is quiet enough that you never feel rushed. The beauty of the ever-changing terrain catches your attention from the opening par 5 hole which swoops downhill to one of the many large greens, this one framed by a water hazard on the right. Two holes on the front nine require a tee shot across the swirling Crocodile River. Everything is on a grand scale at Blair Atholl. The golf holes reflect the vastness and scale of the property.

Stuart McLean

28 April 2021

1. When we arrived the reception was the best we have ever had at any club. 2. Locker room was great. 3. Pro shop average and did not have my shirt size. 4. Getting my cart and clubs was professional. A spotter was already allocated to my cart and he immediately began cleaning my clubs. 5. Practice facilities better than any club I have visited and close to the first tee. Clubs cleaned on the range (wow!). Big practice green and immediately I sense the greens are going to be the best I have played. 6. The layout is fantastic, like playing one of the world's best courses. The bunkers and greens are big and make you feel you are part of something special. 7. The most difficult course I have played, too long for me, but the nicest. Only Pinnacle Point has better views. 8. Better than many courses ranked above it that I have played. 9. Very expensive, but I have to go back and have another try. The course had the better of me.

Danie de Waal

19 April 2021

Felt like playing a course on the PGA Tour. Excellent.

Niekie van der Walt

16 April 2021

You will use all 14 clubs in your bag here. A special track, in my top 5 in SA. The golf cart seats are really comfy.

Owen McDonald

09 April 2021

Blair Atholl is a contender for being a Top 10 course in coming years. The level of service is arguably the best in Gauteng on and off the course. The signature hole, the par-3 third, is the first of 5 challenging "short" holes. There is something special about the layout as it moves around the estate showing off superb views of the Crocodile River. An excellent challenge for the lower handicap but still enjoyable for a higher handicap. With excellent condition from tee to green, I cannot recommend this course enough.

Craig Gunther

15 February 2021

Blair Athol is a challenge to play. A very long course with especially long par 3s. There is a unique halfway house under the trees on the Crocodile River.

Philip Malan

14 February 2021

Most challenging (it can be easier from the front tees) and beautiful course in SA. Played several courses in December, this one is world-class,

Douglas Donnelly

14 February 2021

The course held up nicely in wet conditions after two weeks of rain in Gauteng. The greens rolled true and still had pace in them. The halfway house next to the river is always special. It feels like you have the course to yourself when you play at Blair Atholl.

Attie van der Linde

12 February 2021

Blair Atholl is an incredible time out. Although long and challenging, the course offers superb views, excellent conditioning from tee to green, and great service. Always a special occasion.

Craig Gunther

02 December 2020

An absolute tester in the wind. An enjoyable first eight holes, followed by the best setting of a halfway house of any course I have played, right on the Crocodile River. The river is not only a beautiful feature in the way it flows through the course, but also influences play on several holes. The back nine is a monster, 500 metres longer than the front nine, and you're continually pounding away on one massive hole after another. And this is from the club tees (silver), not the back gold tees.

Sabelo Ndabazandile

14 September 2020

This beautiful course is one of only a few with 5 par 5s and 5 par 3s. A real treat and always in superb condition. A beast of a hole is the 16th which measures up to its reputation as one of the longest par 4s you'll ever play. The course is a delight to the eye and a true test of your game.

Sandor Kovacs

16 April 2020

Blair Atholl is back on track to be considered worthy of a Top 10 ranking. This is a "Big" course so be sure to choose the right tee box which suits your ability. Few clubs provide a better halfway stop than the one following the eighth on a tree-lined deck overlooking the Crocodile River. The superb service and faire complements the overall outstanding experience.

Roy Jones

04 April 2020

Blair Atholl has a terrific aura about it, both in terms of its rugged African setting in the hills outside Johannesburg and the sense of space. Few golf courses have such a large footprint. Every hole is in its own individual corridor. You feel alone out there. The greens are huge -- collectively they add up to more than 10 000 square metres -- and brilliantly designed with creative slopes and run-off areas. If you don't drive the ball at least 250 metres, play the forward tees to get maximum enjoyment.

Stuart McLean

22 March 2020

Lanseria - Gauteng

Course Summary

Five tees / Par 72

Visitor green fee

Course designer

Contact

Previous ranking

Course Record

Feature Holes

Practice Facility

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