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Golf started in Observatory over a 9-hole course in 1912 and Observatory Golf Club was officially established in 1914, with the course extended to 18 holes in 1922.
Observatory Golf Club is the oldest golf club in Johannesburg still operating from its original ground, celebrating their 90th anniversary last year.
The layout of the course has changed somewhat in this time. The course is not that long, but with narrow fairways and smallish greens, is a true test of intellectual golf.
The current Committee has been working over the past three years to improve the course, with a bunker renovation plan, additional irrigation on the fairways and small beautification projects on the course itself. The Clubhouse has seen many changes in the past two years, with a new-renovated Halfway House, function room extension and the start of renovations in the bar.
Observatory Golf Club boasts a history rich in character. Bobby Locke, one of South Africa's greatest golfers, won the Open Championship four times playing out of Observatory as his home club and the "Bobby Locke Corner" in the bar shows a picture history of this. Further the Henning brothers learnt to play their golf at Observatory.
The course record of 64 is held by John Bland.
The course has two signature holes:
The par-5 7th Hole is a picturesque hole with a view of Johannesburg City Centre from the raised tee-box with a blind fall to a smallish green guarded in front by a pond.
The par-4 10th Hole is stroke 1 for a reason. The out of bounds boundary fence running along the right hand side of the narrow fairway, with a tree line along the left hand side, is intimidating enough to make many a golfer leave the driver in the bag and rather use a safe iron shot off the tee. Bunkers guard the long, narrow green left and right with a steep slope off to the left if you miss the green. This hole has proven many golfers' nemesis.
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