Rough is up at Glendower with the rain we’ve had, so missing a fairway can be harmful. I would confidently say the 398m first (white tee) is one of Gauteng’s more difficult opening holes, particularly with thick rough left of its sloping fairway. Essentially a straight hole but the big tree left of the fairway is such a key feature and demands you keep your tee shot as close as possible to the large bunker on the right. There are 10 outstanding par 4s at Glendower, something you rarely find on any course, and none could be called simple to negotiate. The two shortest 4s, 9 and 12 (334 & 345 white) demand pinpoint tee shots and have water alongside the greens. I didn’t use to like the 391 uphill 18th but here’s another hole like No 1 where you cannot be left off the tee. You have to flirt with the bunkers right to open up the green, particularly if it’s a back pin. While it’s a difficult course for the club golfer, it remains very playable for higher handicaps who know where to lay up.
