Rocklands is one of many Gauteng courses suffering from the high rainfall this summer. A large area of fairway, perhaps as much as 100 metres, on the downhill par-4 tenth hole has remained so consistently wet and boggy since February that it has to be played as a short 4 from temporary forward tees which enables most golfers to clear the worst of the morass. There are other soggy areas here and there but generally the fairways are dry and tightly mown. Not much run though playing the white club tees at a lengthy 6326 metres. But moving to blue tees is not a popular alternative at CCJ, even with courses playing as long as they are, because you lose 5 shots on handicap! At Rocklands the blues are 726 metres shorter at 5600, the biggest gap of any course in Gauteng between white and blue (Eye of Africa is equally ridiculous at 721 as is The Els Club at 711 and Eagle Canyon 707). Some clubs treat blue tees as forward tees (often putting them with red tees on several holes) but, essentially, they are meant to be the middle ground between white and red. The blue tees should be enjoyed by all ages, not just seniors, as an alternative choice, but for that to happen they need to be closer in distance to club tees and more competitive tests. Examples of strong blue tees can be found at Royal Johannesburg East (6036), Glenvista (6018), Waterkloof (5989), Glendower (5981), Steyn City (5973), Centurion (5966), Randpark Firethorn (5948), Woodhill and Ebotse (5904). Short-hitting seniors have the option of red tees.
