Highland Gate enjoys some of the best climatic conditions in Africa. Yes, this area in the Drakensberg is prone to thunderstorms and misty weather which can wipe out your day’s golf, but the daytime temperatures here in summer and winter are sublime. It’s a few degrees cooler than Gauteng. And hardly a breeze to be felt. At least that has been my experience. With a one-tee start the perfect time to tee off is between 9 and 11 in summer and winter. Late starters can get caught by the sun disappearing in late afternoon and temperatures falling. The estate has experienced some ridiculous rainstorms this summer, as have many other parts of the country. One recent intense storm produced a flash flood that engulfed the tunnel for golfers between the eighth green and ninth tee. As a result the course is soft in places but there’s still a good bounce on the cool season grass fairways with tee shots. The short rough is like treacle though. Disappointing to see bunkers being left unraked, with deep footprints in the soft sand. Too many golfers seem to have assumed since Covid that it’s not their job anymore.
