Kimberley Golf Club Top 100 Review

The Kimberley Golf Club, founded on 3rd July 1890, is one of South Africa's oldest golf courses with a rich history rooted in the Diamond Fields era. The course features a Bob Grimsdell-designed parkland layout that showcases Elliot grass throughout the tees and greens, creating a distinctive playing surface.

The club's origins reflect its unique setting and heritage, having evolved from humble beginnings when greens were sand putting browns constructed on diamondiferous blue ground. Early course development employed unconventional methods, including dynamite to clear stones from fairways and mats for tees, reflecting the resourcefulness required in the diamond mining region.

The current parkland design represents a significant evolution from these pioneering days, establishing a mature course that balances historical character with modern playability. The use of Elliot grass throughout the course is notable, as this grass variety is relatively uncommon in golf course construction.

Located in Kimberley, the course remains a significant venue in South African golf, drawing on over a century of continuous operation and maintaining its status as an important fixture in the country's golfing landscape.