Princes Golf Club
A historic treasure on the Kent coast
Prince’s Golf Club lies along the coast of Kent, between Deal and Sandwich, in one of the richest golfing regions in the world. It is surrounded by iconic neighbours such as Royal St George’s Golf Club and Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club. Founded in 1906, Prince’s made history as host of The Open Championship in 1932.
During that championship, Gene Sarazen introduced his revolutionary sand wedge—an innovation that changed the game forever.
27 holes & classic links character
Prince’s features 27 holes, arranged across three distinct nines that can be combined in various ways. The course embodies classic links golf: rolling dunes, strong coastal winds, and strategic bunkering that demand creativity and intelligent play.
Tradition and future
Alongside its rich heritage, Prince’s continues to look ahead. The club is set to host the Walker Cup in the near future, reaffirming its status as a premier venue for elite international golf.
Prince’s Golf Club offers a pure and authentic links experience, deeply rooted in the history of the game and set among some of the world’s most celebrated courses—a true must-play for lovers of classic links golf.
North Foreland Golf Club
Authentic clifftop golf
North Foreland Golf Club is spectacularly set atop the chalk cliffs of Kent—part of the same geological formation as the iconic White Cliffs of Dover. From the course, you look out over the English Channel, where the exposed setting ensures that wind and sea constantly influence play.
While often mentioned alongside links courses, North Foreland is not a pure links. Its clay-based soil distinguishes it from traditional sandy linksland, yet the coastal exposure, pace of play, and strategic demands evoke a strong links-like feel.
Strategic design
The architectural foundation was laid by Herbert Fowler and Tom Simpson. Their influence is evident in the natural routing, well-placed bunkers, and fast greens that reward positioning and intelligence over power. Recent renovations have enhanced these qualities while respecting the integrity of the original design.
Historical context and experience
Tradition and modern refinement come together, notably through the club’s excellent short course—ideal for sharpening the short game or enjoying a relaxed round. With its rich history, authentic character, and dramatic coastal setting, North Foreland is not a classic links, but a true seaside classic—shaped by sea, wind, and timeless architecture, and cherished by purists who appreciate the essence of the game.
Littlestone Golf Club
Historical significance
Littlestone Golf Club, founded in 1888, is one of England’s oldest golf clubs, set along the Kent coastline. The course has welcomed generations of notable golfers and still carries the unmistakable atmosphere of classic British golf. Its seaside setting gives Littlestone a timeless feel, connecting every round to the game’s deep heritage.
The course
Littlestone is a traditional links defined by natural dunes, narrow fairways, and subtly protected greens. Its open setting ensures the wind is almost always a factor, making strategy and ball control essential. The design is honest and unembellished—mistakes are punished, while well-executed shots are rewarded.
A pure and charming golf experience
What sets Littlestone apart is its warm, understated charm. The classic clubhouse offers a welcoming atmosphere and beautiful views over the course—perfect for relaxing after your round. Free from mass tourism and commercial crowds, Littlestone delivers an authentic experience where tradition, hospitality, and pure golf come together.
Historical significance & setting
Canterbury Golf Club, founded in 1886, is one of England’s oldest golf clubs and a true hidden gem within Kent. The course lies just outside the historic city of Canterbury, making it easy to combine golf with culture, gastronomy, and heritage. Despite its proximity to the city, the setting feels remarkably peaceful and secluded.
Character and playing style
The parkland layout blends naturally into the rolling landscape and is defined by mature trees, subtle elevation changes, and a classic routing. Strategically placed bunkers and natural hazards create variety and challenge throughout the round, while the course retains its welcoming and traditional character.
An authentic golf experience
Canterbury Golf Club represents relaxed and traditional golf, far removed from commercial excess. The combination of history, tranquillity, and closeness to one of England’s most characterful cities makes it an underrated yet deeply rewarding destination for golfers seeking authenticity and timeless charm.
Walmer Kingsdown Golf Club
Historical significance & setting
Walmer & Kingsdown Golf Club, founded in 1894, sits spectacularly along the coast of Kent, just south of Deal. The course is laid out across and above the chalk cliffs of England’s southeast coastline, overlooking the English Channel toward France. Its elevated setting gives the course a distinctive identity, with the sea constantly influencing the round.
Playing style and character
Although often described as a links, Walmer & Kingsdown is fundamentally a cliff-top course with strong links influences. Fairways weave across rolling terrain with natural drop-offs, uneven lies, and exposure to the wind. The routing demands control, precision, and creativity, while elevation changes and shifting wind directions heavily influence club selection.
An authentic golf experience
Walmer & Kingsdown is a traditional members’ club, free from commercial excess and entirely faithful to its natural surroundings. The atmosphere is calm and understated, and the golf feels pure and unforced—at times demanding, but always fair.
For golfers exploring Kent beyond the famous names, Walmer & Kingsdown offers a distinctive and memorable experience: golf played high above the sea, with the elements as a constant companion.
Royal St George’s Golf Club
An Open Championship icon by the sea
Royal St George’s Golf Club is one of England’s most prestigious links courses. Founded in 1887 and located along the Kent coastline near Sandwich, it became the first course outside Scotland to host The Open Championship in 1894. Since then, Royal St George’s has staged multiple editions of The Open and has been the setting for many memorable championships and international victories.
Its location in East Kent places it at the heart of a region rich in Open history, with Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club and Prince’s Golf Club nearby. Together, they form a unique cluster of classic English links where tradition and pure golfing conditions take centre stage.
Location and playing experience
Royal St George’s winds through dramatic dunes with pronounced elevation changes—unusual for English links courses. Blind tee shots, undulating fairways, and deep bunkers give the course a distinctive and memorable character. The wind off the English Channel is almost always present, making club selection a constant strategic challenge.
What sets the course apart is its blend of natural ruggedness and subtle architecture. The routing feels organic yet demands continuous focus. Unpredictable bounces, firm conditions, and complex green contours ensure that no two rounds ever feel the same.
History and timeless character
Royal St George’s breathes tradition. There are no modern intrusions or theatrical elements—just an authentic links experience that remains true to its origins. While the course has seen subtle refinements over time, its fundamental character remains untouched.
A round at Royal St George’s feels like golf in its purest form: sea, wind, dunes, and history. It is a place where champions have been crowned and where the game is still played as it was meant to be—challenging, honest, and unforgettable.
Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club
Classic links in Deal
Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club is located in Deal, Kent, directly along England’s east coast. Founded in 1892, the club hosted The Open Championship in 1909 and 1920, and has also welcomed The Amateur Championship on multiple occasions. Together with Royal St George’s Golf Club and Prince’s Golf Club, it forms a compact cluster of traditional links courses in East Kent.
Course and playing character
The course lies on flat linksland behind the dunes, running parallel to the English Channel. Elevation changes are minimal; the challenge comes primarily from wind, firm conditions, and strategically placed bunkers. The routing follows a classic out-and-back format.
Royal Cinque Ports is known for its “humpty-dumpty” fairways on several holes and its small, well-protected greens. The exposed setting means wind almost always influences club selection and ball flight. It is a fair test where positioning and control matter more than length.
Character
The club has preserved its traditional character without major modern alterations. There are no dramatic dune formations or theatrical features—just a pure, functional links where strategy and consistency take centre stage.
