A trip to Maccauvlei is well worth the 80km drive from Sandton. The greens are superb and greens complexes varied and interesting. Playing off the “tips” (gold tees) is a great experience. The par 3s provide excellent variety and test your accuracy. The par-3 fifth (stroke 5) plays 219m off gold, with a large tree blocking the right-hand side of the green. Not for the faint of heart. The back nine is a solid test of shot making. Its proximity to the Vaal River provides good views and shaping, particularly on the loop from 13 to 16. The par-4 17th heading back to the clubhouse is a particularly interesting hole, a challenge at 422m. The cavernous bunker fronting the last 100 metres before the raised green is to be avoided at all costs. The finishing hole is the shortest (474) of the four par 5s, which provides some respite, but the green is fronted by another large bunker. A well-deserved beverage awaits at an excellent 19th Hole in the old clubhouse after a great walk at one of the best layouts in the region.
