FAIRWAYS & BEYOND
PARADISE
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Golf along the Vaal River offers a real bang-for-your-buck tour
By Ben Karpinski
You really are spoilt for choice when it comes to golfing on the Vaal River, which has fantastic courses on the Free State and Gauteng sides of the SA landmark. This month our focus is on the Free State courses, which offer a place for you to challenge your game, as well as unwind in a fun and scenic setting, no matter if you are new to the sport or a seasoned low-handicapper.
MACCAUVLEIGOLF CLUB
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Home to four SA Open Championships between 1927 and 1949, and where homegrown Masters champion Charl Schwartzel developed his game growing up, Maccauvlei is a solid parkland layout with a great variety of holes.
Initially designed as an inland links course between a forest and the river, large bunkers were the main design characteristic, and still are to this day. They are also some of the largest bunkers you will encounter in South Africa.
A course that prides itself on conditioning, it is known for hosting more elite amateur events than any other course in the country. It is also a top 50 golf course that offers incredible bang for your buck cost-wise.
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HERON BANKS GOLF AND RIVER ESTATE
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A newer addition to the courses in the region, Heron Banks is a delightful layout that played host to the Sunshine Tour’s 2025 Mediclinic Invitational. Originally a nine-hole course built along the natural wetlands of the region, an inland nine was added to make a full 18.
Playing as a links-style course, it does a fine job of blending the natural elements with all the amenities of a modern lifestyle estate. With 3km of prime river frontage on the estate, it’s another ideal place to centre a trip around, with limited lodge accommodation available for visitors.
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PARYS GOLF & COUNTRY ESTATE
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Originally known as a ‘golf island’ when it started out as a nine-hole golf attraction, the island has since grown into a wonderful 18-hole golf course and country estate.
The heart of the course is still essentially on the island created by the flowing Vaal River tributaries, but the river adds more of an aesthetic benefit than coming into play too much.
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VAAL DE GRACE GOLF ESTATE
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Built as a pioneering golf and lifestyle estate in the area, Nick Price was tasked with setting out the golf course. Like Parys, it is a unique island of sorts, made all the more interesting in that the 14 ‘island holes’ are situated in the North West province, with the additional four being in the Free State.
Local wildlife can be seen roaming free, with the tranquil environment being home to a wide variety of bird species.
The course closed in the early stages of Covid-19, but has since made great progress as a golfing destination. Designed to be fair off the tees with large fairways, the trouble in play is mostly around the greens, which makes for a memorable playing experience.
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WHERE TO BASE YOURSELF
Each of these destinations (apart from Maccauvlei) offers something more than just golf, which means you have numerous accommodation options. The suggestion then would be to base yourself at the location you intend to play the most golf at, and then travel from there, depending on the amount of rounds planned.
OFF-COURSE THINGS TO DO
Parys is one of those small towns in South Africa with real character. There’s a great variety of dining experiences, along with some well-known antiques and collectibles stores for you to check out.
From Parys, you can also enjoy water sports activities ranging from booze cruises to white water rafting. There is even the option of sky diving which will give you a broader perspective of the region. From the sky you can get a great feeling for another natural attraction in the region, the Vredefort Dome. A World Heritage Site, this giant crater played a pivotal role in shaping the topography of the region.
Thankfully, conventional land-based tours of the site are available, should you want a more leisurely day. Otters Haunt Eco Retreat is situated in the Dome on the banks of the Vaal River and offers self-drive and guided tours, along with hiking and rafting expeditions.
GETTING THERE
GAUTENG
For those living in and around Johannesburg, you head south from the city on the F59 highway towards Vereeniging, and it will take around 45 minutes to reach Riviera on Vaal and the start of the courses in the region. Travelling from further afield and in need of a major airport, OR TamboInternational is the major hub here for arrivals. It will also take about 45 minutes to drive from here.
FREE STATE
If you plan on heading to Parys first, you can utilise the N1 highway which will amount to a 111km trip from Johannesburg by car.
TYRONE WINFIELD/CARL FOURIE/SUNSHINE TOUR/GOLFRSA/PARYS GC
