insideKENT Magazine Issue 49 - April 2016 | Page 71

GOLF

Kent: A Golfer’s Paradise
With its dramatic east coast trail of some of England’s finest links and an array of majestic
parkland and downland courses set in the heart of the county’s rolling landscape, it’s hardly
surprising that Kent is regarded as a golfer’s paradise. Although probably best known as the
home to Royal St George’s, thanks to its Open Championship heritage (it has an impressive
14 Opens to its name) and regular appearances at the top of course rankings, Kent boasts
two other former Open Championship venues.

Royal Cinque Ports, which staged the prestigious
major in 1909 and 1920, and Prince’s, host in
1932, are both regarded amongst the finest links
in England that provide tough challenges thanks
to undulating fairways, tricky greens and the
regular presence of sea breezes.
To the north of this magnificent trio is North
Foreland, founded in 1903. Perched high above
Kent’s white cliffs ensuring spectacular seascapes
from every hole, its wide fairways disguise a tricky
track thanks to strategically placed bunkers.
Back down the coast by Romney Marsh is yet
another fine links. Littlestone, founded in 1888,
is laid out on naturally rolling land amongst its
own range of sand dunes and enjoys its own
unique microclimate making it one of the driest
places in England.
Inland from here lies a host of parkland and
downland gems set out on Kent’s idyllic
landscape.
Perhaps best known of these is one of Kent’s
premier clubs, the London Golf Club. Just 20

miles from London, its two championship courses
were designed by the legendary Jack Nicklaus.
The Heritage provides an exhilarating test for
golfers of all abilities whilst The International is
pure downland and the quick, undulating fairways
force a links-style approach. Testament to its
quality, The International staged the 2014 Volvo
World Match Play Championship on the European
Tour.
Two of the stand-out parkland layouts in Kent
are Hever Castle and Tudor Park, which both
offer on-site accommodation.
Hever Castle is not only one of Kent's most iconic
attractions, it is home to a 7,002-yard, par-72
championship parkland course, comprising the
Kings and Queens 9-hole courses, as well as the
nine-hole Princes Course, complemented by a
Tudor-style clubhouse and luxurious
accommodation in the castle’s Astor Wing.

Tudor Park Marriott offers a spa, gym and
swimming pool for post-golf R&R.
Kent is also an ideal destination for those just
taking up the game. The Pentland golf courses
of Boughton near Canterbury and Etchinghill
overlooking the Elham Valley provide a great
introduction to golf with great practice facilities,
whilst the picturesque Lullingstone Park, with
views over Lullingstone Castle, is ideal for those
looking for a more relaxed round.
Off the course, England’s oldest county offers a
rich and varied culture, historic buildings, castles