Clarens

The Clarens Golf Estate sits in the foothills of the Maluti Mountains, on the fringe of the Golden Gate nature reserve, and its course is one of the golfing jewels of the Eastern Free State. Clarens is renowned as an artists’ haven and a popular getaway for Johannesburg and Bloemfontein city dwellers.

The Kikuyu fairways and Bent grass greens on this parkland course are framed by wonderful Willow and lovely Lombardi poplar trees, which are characteristic of the area, and water comes into play at several holes during a round here.

The layout extends to just over 6,254 yards from the rear markers, playing to a par of 71, with holes arranged as two returning nines. Despite having only one par five on the back nine (at the right doglegged 15th) the inward half plays quite a bit longer than the front nine.

Highlight holes include strong par fours at the 9th (rated stroke index 2) and the 18th (rated stroke index 3) where approach shots to both greens must avoid substantial water features located close to the putting surface.