Alison’s design for Bryanston was not as radical as some of his courses, but there are several unique holes here. Unusually, the layout starts with back-to-back par fives and then there is a stretch of four par fours from the 5th. Yet there is a good mix in the shapes with five holes doglegging to the right and an equal number doglegging the other way.

The 453-metre par-four 10th is a huge test of ball striking and is possibly one of the toughest stroke-one par-fours in the country. The drive is over water to a fairway running at right angles to the tee. A good drive will leave a fairway wood or long iron over water to a two-tiered green. Two good putts on a sloping green are required before one can walk away with a satisfying par.

The par-four 16th offers another stringent test of ability. Here you are faced with a tight drive off an elevated tee with trees guarding the fairway left and right and water ahead. Your approach is over water to an elevated, kidney shaped, two-tiered green, while a deep bunker in the front curve guards any back left pin placements. Slopes on the green add to the difficulty in your quest for par.

The par-threes are all magnificent holes, with plenty of variety. All have the extra defenses of tricky sloping greens requiring you to hit the tee shot towards the correct area of the green to ensure a two-putt par.

The greens were rebuilt early in the new millennium to give Bryanston extra defenses against new technology and to cope with the further-flying golf ball. It has garnered mixed reactions with many believing that the undulations are too severe and not in keeping with the character of the course. The course is certainly not a pushover for even the finest golfers, but not punishing enough to spoil the enjoyment of the average player.

Bryanston was once seen as a rather snooty country club, altogether unwelcoming and snobbish. Thankfully, this image has been well and truly discarded and the club is now a vibrant meeting place of young and old with a strong, dedicated membership who make visitors extremely welcome. Put Bryanston on your list of must-plays.

The par-four 6th is the stroke one and is a straight, narrow hole, exceptionally well bunkered both in the fairway and around the green. At 434 metres, length and accuracy are demanded to make par on this tough hole.

The feature holes are definitely the finishing four, three of which are played along the lake. The 15th, at 526 metres is a long and demanding par five, requiring big shots to reach the green in two. It is fairly straightforward when played as a three shotter and is an excellent birdie chance for average golfers. The 16th is a magnificent par-three. Fairly long at 179 metres off the club tees, it requires an accurate shot over the side of the lake to the green. A three here is always a good score. The par-four 17th is the toughest on the back nine. Fairly long, it doglegs around the lake on the left, requiring an accurate tee shot if you want an easier shot into the green. The 18th is a good closing hole. Not particularly long, the green is vigilantly guarded on the left by a small water hazard is the final resting place for many golf balls. Negotiate this successfully and the enormous bar in the clubhouse awaits with a view over the 18th and those coming up behind.

The major defences of Benoni Lake are the variety of mature trees lining the fairways. Many of the holes dogleg at least slightly, putting a premium on accuracy off the tees. While there are not many bunkers, they are all well positioned and create just enough of a hazard to be fair, punishing only misdirected shots both off the tees and around the greens.

Well-maintained by Top-Turf, the course is in year-round excellent condition with the permanent Bent greens being among the finest in Gauteng. PGA professional Rob van Velzen runs a well-stocked pro shop and is on hand to give lessons. Visitors are welcome at Benoni Lake, particularly during the week, when the club offers discounted greenfees.