A place to pontificate

Here’s a selection of the golf courses I’ve played in my local area down the years, some more recently than others, and my brief thoughts on each. We’re spoiled for choice – but then again, most places are now – but generally speaking there are some excellent courses around here. These are in order of the frequency in which I play them.

Kent National (Paddock Wood). NB: Jan 2009, the course is currently closed while they look for a buyer. The course is still being tended. Used to be known as Moatlands before it changed hands and is probably my favourite golf course locally, Chart Hills aside. It plays quite long, wide fairways and acres and acres of bunkers which are the main feature. Not too hilly, although some slopes around on the back 9 in particular, with (for now at least) a very nice old and big clubhouse. Not too strict on dress and has a nice ambience, good bar and OK food. They also provide free buggies and the price of a round isn’t too bad at around £25 – £35. Visitors are welcome, booked in advance and the course doesn’t have a huge membership so you can generally get round as a 2-ball in 3 hours or so with a buggy. Drainage is very good so it’s never closed and always fairly dry. The greens are usually fast and it’s quite a scenic course.

Dale Hill (Flimwell). Dale Hill has two courses, the “Old” and the “Woosnam”, designed by Ian Woosnam unsurprisingly. Both courses offer different options and I like both, although the Woosnam probably pips the Old since they modified the latter to accommodate the former. Buggies are available (for free) and recommended on the Woosnam, but not obligatory. Nice clubhouse (doubles up as a modern hotel too), Ok food and once again, not one of these strict stuffy clubs that I hate so much. Neither course is that hilly, although the Old does “roll” a little more than the Woosnam. There are a few trees to snag you up, again more so on the Old, the bunkers are just your average fare generally and the greens medium pace, but well kept and very true. Does tend to get a bit boggy in the Winter, but rarely unplayable.

Kings Hill (West Malling). This is in the heart of Kings Hill estate and while it still retains some of the country feel, some of the fairway views are now of commuter-belt houses. Posh houses, but still houses. It was better before they built up around it, but it is still an excellent all-weather course which drains very well and is always in good nick. It’s challenging and 2 of the Par 5’s are unreachable in 2 (for most of us!) and tough to hit a really good score on, but it’s not unfair. Although high up and sometimes a little open to the elements (so the greens are generally quick-ish), it’s not a very hilly course and easily strolled round, although they do have buggies. Costs are around £30 give or take and visitors are welcome, booked in advance. It is however a very busy course, so it’s rare to go round in less than 4 hours, except maybe on Sunday afternoons.

Chart Hills (Headcorn). I love Chart Hills, but it is quite an exclusive course and expensive compared to most – not that I’ve played here recently. The course is very well looked after and scenic, with challenging holes and loads of well-positioned bunkers. I seem to remember Nick Faldo had a hand in it’s design, and it certainly does challenge you as an amateur. I need to go back and play it again, but I remember this as my favourite course I’ve played over here. It’s owned by the same group as Dale Hill (above) and you can get deals for the two courses together and a hotel stay in the Dale Hill on-course hotel.

Sweetwoods Park (nr. Edenbridge). A relatively new course (1980s I think), the course is very challenging, but what I love about it is that it has none of this golf stuffynesss about it. It’s very laid back, reasonably priced and very challenging. The greens are like lightening and the back-to-back Par 5’s on the back 9 are hard. In fact, the whole course is quite hard with lots of slopes to contend with, and bunkers too, but it’s an excellent course. Pay-and-play is supported, and while the clubhouse is basic, it’s very friendly. I was actually a member here for a year back in the 90s – they do, or did anyway, some very competitive membership schemes for occasional golfers like me.