22

CCJ Woodmead

Sandton - Gauteng

Played this course? Review it now
Find a Course
Search by name, province or ranking
General manager: Steve Nicholson
Club manager: Charmaine Klug-Price
Golf director: Dean le Vieux
Greenkeeper: Craig Hunter & Justin Harrison (Golf Data)
Club captains: Thabang Magare & Jenny Foaden
CRITERIA SUMMARY: Total points 75.8 out of 100
Conditioning15.3 / 20
Playability15.8 / 20
Aesthetics12.5 / 15
Design Variety10.8 / 15
Shot Values10.5 / 15
Memorability10.9 / 15

Course Summary

Four tees / Par 72

Yellow 6803 metres, CR 74.8/137
White 6347 metres, CR 72.5/133
Blue 5780 metres, CR 69.4/128
Red 5348 metres, CR 66.8/121
Women’s white, CR79.3/146
Women’s blue, CR 75.7/135
Women’s red, CR 72.6/129

Visitor green fee

R830 weekday unaccompanied
Visitors need to be accompanied by member
R640 member guest weekday
R755 member guest weekend

Course designer

Fred Hawtree 1970;
Upgrades by Golf Data 2001

Contact

011 202 1620/1
www.thecountryclub.co.za

Previous ranking

25 (2022) & 24 (2021)

Woodmead is the premier course at Country Club’s 36-hole facility, a magnificent parkland championship layout with tall, mature trees defining the holes. It’s on undulating terrain, which provides interesting variety in terms of the design and challenge. The large modern clubhouse (opened in 2000) with its many outstanding facilities stands on a ridge above the course, and both the first and tenth par 4 starting holes sweep downhill towards their greens.

Country Club was founded early in the 20th century, at Auckland Park close to the city. The committee had the foresight in the late 1960s to move their golf membership 20 kilometres north to a farm they had acquired, Rocklands, at Khyber Rock. It’s now a busy residential and commercial area. The CCJ property covers 600 hectares and the courses and bushveld are home to over 100 different bird species.

Woodmead has been significantly upgraded and improved in recent years by Golf Data, particularly the greens, replanted with new bent grass, and bunkering. Subtle slopes make for quick-paced putting surfaces, for which the course is renowned. The short par-4 12th was remodelled to bring a water hazard closer to the left edge of the green. The tree canopies were lifted to provide clear views between holes.

A feature of CCJ is the attractive storage dams on the property, notably Swan Lake which is a feature of the wonderful 396-metre 17th at Woodmead. From an elevated tee the daunting hole curves right along the edge of the wide lake all the way to the green.

Additional Course Facts

Course Record

61 by Marc Cayeux in final round of 2005
Vodacom Tour Championship

Feature Holes

Woodmead’s set of par 5s were built in the hillier sections and have loads of character. The third and sixth plunge downhill off the tee, parallel to each other, with water and bunkers to be avoided, while the 16th and 18th climb uphill, the closing hole to a narrow elevated green that slopes from back to front. The fourth is one of Gauteng’s memorable par 3s, downhill over water to a slightly angled green. It is followed by the stroke one hole, the 430-metre fifth, slightly uphill off the tee through a pine forest, again to a narrow green.

Accommodation

The club’s Auckland Park grounds include the Dormy House boutique hotel with 18 en-suite rooms. Available to members and their guests and visiting reciprocal members.

Practice Facility

Spacious range with grass and mat bays a short walk from clubhouse, close to first tee, with an excellent short-game area. Each CCJ course has its own practice putting green. Experienced resident teaching professional John Dickson is recognised by the PGA of SA as one of the top 5 teachers in South Africa, and has been PGA Coach of the Year in 2007, 2012 and 2022.

Did You Know

1/ CCJ has an outstanding 9-hole Mashie Course, opened in 2017 and built by Golf Data. Holes vary between 70 and 130 metres and it’s a fun and quick experience carrying no more than a few short irons and a putter. Great place to introduce youngsters to golf.

2/ CCJ hosted its first men’s SA Amateur in 2013 on Rocklands. Thriston Lawrence (Mbombela) became youngest champion at 16 years 88 days (beaten by Christo Lamprecht in 2017). The Northern Amateur was played for the first time at CCJ in 2019 (Woodmead), then Rocklands from 2021. Strokeplay champions: Jayden Schaper (2019), Casey Jarvis (2021), Christiaan Burke (2022). Matchplay: Burke (2019), Yurav Premlall (2021-22).

3/ Zimbabwe’s Marc Cayeux eagled the par-5 18th hole for a back nine of 29 and a course record of 11-under 61 to win the 2005 Vodacom Tour Championship.

4/ Woodmead was the venue for the Telkom SA PGA Championship for nine years from 2006 to 2014, and the winners included Louis Oosthuizen (2), Jaco van Zyl (2) and George Coetzee. Oosthuizen had a record 28-under total of 260 (66-63-66-65) in his second win in 2008.

5/ CCJ was founded in 1906, and golf was played at Auckland Park for 50 years on what is now the Rand Afrikaans University campus. The Auckland Park venue retains numerous sporting facilities such as a gym, tennis, squash, bowls, cricket and croquet.

6/ There have been 45 albatrosses (3-under-par for a hole) recorded on both CCJ courses.

Club Champions

2023 Amilkar Bhana & Samantha Whately
2022 Adam Breen & Samantha Whateley
2021 Adam Breen & Samantha Whateley
2020 Adam Breen & Samantha Whateley
2019 Marcus Capuzzimati & Daniella Bekker

Course and Facilities Rating
Conditioning Ratings
Greens
Bunkers
Tees
Fairways
Presentation
Overall Conditioning
Facility Ratings
Pace of Play
Practice Facility
Halfway House
Pro Shop
Service
Locker Room
19th Hole
Course Etiquette
Course Reviews
Woodmead is open off the tee but narrows on approaches into well-guarded greens. The fifth (stroke 1 par 4) is a feature hole with its fairway framed by an avenue of pines. The greens complex is a defence with a drop-off left and good bunkering. The strong finish of 5-4-5 from 16 to 18 can make or break your card. No 17 has an interesting green and a back pin brings the Swan Dam into play. Uphill 18th has well positioned fairway bunkers. Good design variety with changes of direction and angle of approach.
Jon James
07 February 2024
Elevation changes are a feature of Woodmead's topography which has resulted in the par 5s being most affected by some severely undulating terrain. They are a characterful quartet of superb holes which require skilful play and course management to conquer. 16 and 18 are both long holes played uphill so golfers will face the consequences of an indifferent drive or second shot. 18 is particularly testing as the green resembles one of those steep Majuba holes on the KZN South Coast where only the top half of the flag is visible from the fairway below. And the green, bunkered front and right, is not only an exactingly narrow target but slopes in subtle tiers from back to green. I'm not fond of an uphill finish, but this is a well-designed hole with plenty of options. Another par 5, No 6, is downhill for the tee shot and uphill for the second half. It lies alongside the interesting par-5 third, heading in the opposite direction, which gives golfers pause for thought after their drive. The hazards ahead here are splendidly positioned for risk-and-reward shots. Water in the lowest dip and cross-bunker further on an awkward distance from the green. Each par 5 is blessed with cleverly created greens complexes in keeping with the rest of the course.
Stuart McLean
05 June 2023
View more reviews
Always a good test, but greens disappointing. Slow and bobbling. Could be improved by using a roller. Bunkers indifferent. Fairways really good.
David Frost
23 May 2023
This parkland treat has fantastic true greens beautiful to putt on. Woodmead is in wonderful nick, although bunkers were inconsistent. The bunker complexes and integration with the greens are well designed and require an array of shots. Clubhouse facilities and 19th hole are excellent.
Hamish Houston
11 January 2023
Playing a round at Woodmead is a special treat, notably for visitors who can only tee up on a Monday unless invited and accompanied by a member. One of SA's best courses, with holes 3 to 6 and 11 to 17 being two memorable stretches of golf design. Playing here reminded me of courses in Long Island, New York.
Thinus Keller
31 December 2022
Woodmead is one of Gauteng's best parkland layouts, with conditioning and playability constantly at the top. As a club member I am happy to bring guests to play Woodmead as it never fails to deliver a great round. The front nine stretch from No 3 through No 7 is a highlight with the pine trees guarding the fairways and the visual element adding to the aesthetic. The greens and bunkers are in good shape despite some extreme weather the last 12 months. I played league here this year and Woodmead sets up well for a competitive match given the routing and stroking of the holes.
Chris Wood
15 December 2022
An excellent all round experience. The greens were a tad slow which was uncharacteristic, but the course was in great condition given all the rain over December, January and February. The Woodmead drains well with only portions of the third and sixth (in the valley) struggling with saturation in unprecedented conditions. The course offers something for every golfer. A number of doglegs provide challenging par 4s leading to the 17th which is one the best dogleg par 4s in the country, given the elevated tee, well placed bunkers and water hazard which is in play from tee to green. The family nature of the clubhouse is a wonderful experience and having dinner after the round topped off a great day out.
Graham Jones
18 March 2022
The Woodmead course at CCJ, like the Rocklands, uses what little elevation it has to good effect. And the greens are always immaculate. Bunkers well positioned with greenside bunkers deep and challenging. A good test at all levels from start to finish.
Graham Jones
01 February 2022
My home club but the review is neutral! Woodmead is in fantastic condition after such excellent rain, and full credit to the greenkeeping staff as it has been consistently excellent for a long time. I like to rate the course in competitive conditions and how it stacks up in a matchplay or strokeplay environment. Playing league and knockout matches, the course consistently provides opportunities to attack and defend. Visually the layout is defined by established trees and great greens complexes. It still overshadows the Rocklands layout for me and competes with other top Gauteng courses.
Chris Wood
29 January 2022
A round on this fantastic and challenging layout, together with the excellent facilities and high levels of service at CCJ, make this one of the best golfing experiences in South Africa, not just Gauteng. The course was in immaculate condition with the greens rolling beautifully. Among several feature holes, the fourth must surely rate as one of the most beautiful par 3s in SA. The par-4 17th is also in a class of its own.
Trevor King
27 January 2022
Outstandingly designed greens complexes with interesting slopes and bold bunkering are a feature of the Woodmead course, and chipping and putting can be a challenge if you get out of position. The 17th is one of my favourite holes, with the green cut into the banks of Swan Lake on this dogleg right par 4 of 370 metres from the elevated club tees. The pin is often back right on a lower ledge of the green, so golfers who play safe to the fat part of the green are faced with a tricky long putt down the slope to the pin. CCJ is a busy club with lots of activity around the clubhouse, range and the chipping and practice greens. Excellent facilities, including a 9-hole par 3 course, The Mashie, which is a good hour's fun.
Stuart McLean
27 November 2021
CCJ's two courses have been in great condition this year. A pity that Covid regulations have interrupted the social side and the halfway house offerings. For the rest an outstanding facility.
Chris Sounes
09 July 2021
Everything here is pure quality. Excellent golfing experience.
Owen McDonald
09 April 2021
We played our club championships last weekend on both CCJ courses. The courses were prepared as they are every weekend. Well manicured and great playing conditions. A great facility for members and guests.
Chris Sounes
19 March 2021
CCJ must be the best member's club in the country. The club strikes a perfect balance between maintaining high standards and making everyone feel welcome. It is a fantastic club for families. The two courses, including all facilities, are top class and must be the most underrated in the country. Given the amount of traffic, the conditioning is as good as can be expected.
Retief Ferreira
16 March 2021
Woodmead benefited from lockdown with its conditioning perhaps the best in many years. The greens are firm but receptive with consistent speeds. The course has two good nines, let down only by the similarity of the first two holes on each side. One of the best parkland layouts in Gauteng.
Chris Wood
15 January 2021
A fair and enjoyable course which requires the right strategy on each hole to score well. Conditioning is above average and attention to detail is evident in all aspects of the Country Club experience
Terry Knight
30 December 2020
One of the best courses in Joburg. A proper test of golf from start to finish and a magnificent layout.
Sandor Kovacs
16 April 2020
Submit Your Review & Ratings

HAVE YOU PLAYED CCJ Woodmead 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.

Review this Course
Course Location
Other Top 100 Courses in the Area
  •
    Kyalami
    Midrand
    RANKED 26
  •
    Bryanston
    Sandton
    RANKED 29
  •
    CCJ Rocklands
    Sandton
    RANKED 30
  •
    Houghton
    Johannesburg
    RANKED 32
  •
    Killarney
    Johannesburg
    RANKED 53