Steyn City

Steyn City is a Jack Nicklaus Design championship course in Gauteng that opened in April 2015 as the centrepiece of a 2,000-acre parkland estate north of Fourways in Johannesburg. The layout has climbed to No. 14 in Golf Digest South Africa's Top 100 rankings with a score of 78.6 points, and has hosted Sunshine Tour and DP World Tour events including the 2022 Steyn City Championship and the 2026 LIV Golf South Africa.

Why Play Steyn City

The course spans approximately 90 hectares, making it one and a half times the size of an average course, and was built on the site of an old quarry by Gary Waage of Golf Data, who moved more than 430,000 cubic metres of soil during construction. The layout plays to 7,054 metres from the back tees at altitude.

The $1.5 million Steyn City Championship made its DP World Tour and Sunshine Tour debut in March 2022, establishing the course on the international calendar. In March 2026, Steyn City hosted LIV Golf South Africa, an event that organisers described as the best LIV Golf event ever, and it will return in April 2027.

The Club at Steyn City is the only club in South Africa to have earned four stars in seven categories in the country's Top 100 courses rankings: halfway house, 19th hole, practice range, pro shop, locker room, service, and pace of play. In 2026, the club received nominations for South Africa's Best Golf Course and World's Best Golf Clubhouse at the World Golf Awards.

What to Expect on the Course

The Nicklaus Design is laid out on either side of the Jukskei River, which flows through the estate. The par four 1st and par three 9th play directly across the river's waters. The 18-hole course is looped, with wide, immaculate fairways and changes in elevation.

The greens and tees were seeded with bentgrass, while fairways and roughs were planted with a cool-season fescue and ryegrass mix to provide good playing conditions year-round. Vast quantities of sandy loam soil were trucked in to cap every fairway to a depth of 25 centimetres. The course features 75 bunkers, inland dams and water features.

The 7th is a downhill test where the tee shot flirts with a wandering stream. The 18th is the toughest par four, with a split fairway off the tee and a pond waiting for errant approach shots.

Practice facilities include two chipping greens, greenside and fairway bunkers, and a 300m long driving range offering the option of hitting off mats or natural grass. The Element Golf Academy is equipped with cutting-edge technology to provide a tailored coaching experience.

GPS-equipped carts are compulsory. The irrigation system uses grey water from the Northern Works plant, which flows into a pre-treatment plant before being stored in onsite lakes where it is aerated to improve quality.

Championship and Tournament History

Planning a Golf Trip

Nearby Golf Courses

Steyn City sits in the heart of Johannesburg's northern golf corridor. Dainfern is around 2 km away, making it an easy double-header option. Within a 10 km radius, you can add Kyalami (around 7 km), Bryanston and Blair Atholl Golf Estate (both around 10 km).

For a more extensive itinerary, Els Club - Copperleaf, Johannesburg (Woodmead), Johannesburg (Rocklands) and The River Club are all around 12-13 km away. Blue Valley and Eagle Canyon sit around 14 km from Steyn City, while the two Randpark courses, Firethorn and Bushwillow, are around 16 km away.

Getting There

Steyn City is located north of Fourways in Johannesburg's rapidly developing northern suburbs. The estate is in Gauteng, South Africa's most populous province. OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg serves the region.

Best Time to Play

The course was planted with a cool-season fescue and ryegrass mix on fairways, designed to guarantee good playing conditions throughout the year. The bentgrass greens also support year-round play. Gauteng's highveld climate features warm summers and mild, dry winters.

Worth the Trip?

Steyn City delivers the full package. The Nicklaus Design itself is a compelling layout built on dramatic quarry terrain with the Jukskei River crossings providing memorable moments, but the broader club experience sets it apart. Its rise to No. 14 in the Golf Digest South Africa rankings reflects genuine quality, while its four-star ratings across seven service and facility categories are unique in South African golf. The professional tournament pedigree, from DP World Tour events to hosting LIV Golf, confirms the course can challenge elite players, yet the routing and multiple tee options make it accessible. With a dozen quality courses within 16 km, Steyn City anchors an excellent Johannesburg golf trip, and the estate's hospitality infrastructure, including the Steyn City Hotel by Saxon, makes an extended stay practical. The Element Golf Academy and 300m driving range add value for golfers wanting to work on their game. For travelling golfers seeking a modern, tournament-tested championship course with exceptional facilities in South Africa's economic heartland, Steyn City merits the journey.