George is unique for a top course anywhere in the world in only having one par 4 among its closing six holes. When you walk off the green of No 12 the next par 4 you will play is the demanding 18th, one which surely ranks among the best in the country. One of the joys of playing older tracks is the prospect of encountering unconventional design thinking compared to modern creations where there is more uniform balance. The undulating back nine terrain at George, and shortage of natural green sites, lends itself to long and short holes, and that’s what you get once you pass No 10. There are three par 3s, three par 5s, a short par 4 and a long par 4. All the par 3s on this side demand carries over rugged ground either uphill or downhill, and they are special holes because of that. No 15 and No 17 would be on many golfers’ lists of the best par 3s in SA.
