An outstanding experience in every respect, comparable to the very best in South Africa. This might not be a Jack Nicklaus Signature design (missing Jack’s personal imprint), yet it is an exceptional Nicklaus creation by his appointed SA team, covering a vast area of pleasantly undulating terrain. That means carts, yet the paths are so well constructed that I didn’t mind not being able to walk. Conditioning is on another level. The overall presentation and attention to detail is phenomenal. Quite a sensational feeling to step on to pristine and closely mown tees, all prominently raised. There are Top 100 courses whose greens aren’t that good. The fairways were surprisingly wet after overnight rain — soaking to the point that carts weren’t allowed on them — and the course thus played longer than usual. Steyn City’s length is not in the Blair Atholl league, but its white club tees measure a formidable 6636 metres. I found it more fun and sporting off the blue (5973). Every hole is memorable; those which stand out for me are the attractive first with its tee overlooking the Jukskei River; the steeply downhill seventh, followed by the equally stunning eighth running parallel to the river, while the back nine finish of 16-17-18 is impressively beautiful and challenging. And the par-3 ninth green makes the most of its riverbank site.
