Eagle Canyon

Set within an old sand quarry to the northwest of downtown Johannesburg, the 18-hole layout at Eagle Canyon Golf & Lifestyle Estate is a Douw van der Merwe design, with the clubhouse positioned at the highest point of the course, overlooking all the holes.

Fairways are set out inside a substantial residential development, with irrigation dams coming into play at more than half the holes. Bunkers are also much in evidence so, you’ll only score well if you can avoid both sand and water during your round here.

Eagle Canyon is renowned for its conditioning, which is as good as anything you’ll find in the Gauteng province. This DDV Design layout has been polished quite a bit since it debuted in 2005, evidenced by the recent removal of reeds that were choking the dams.

Feature holes include the par four 3rd, rated stroke index 1, where the green is protected by water on three sides – in front, to the right and behind the putting surface. The 8th is the longest par three on the card and there’s more water to contend with to the front right of its green.

On the back nine, the long par four 12th is a tough nut to crack, with water to the left of the fairway then to the right of the green. The final aquatic challenge of the round occurs at the par three 17th, where water lurks to the front and left of an offset, sand-protected green.