Kent has world-class golf, but knowing which courses are worth your time is the hard part. The best golf courses in Kent range from Open-hosting links to quiet parkland gems. Some welcome visitors warmly. Others are tough to get on without the right connections.
This guide ranks them by type, so you can choose fast. You will learn which courses suit a bucket-list day, an easy round, or a client meeting. Let’s tee off.
Best golf courses in Kent at a glance
Here are the best golf courses in Kent, balanced for quality, setting, and how easy each one is to play.
- Royal St George’s, Sandwich – Open-hosting links, Kent’s most famous course
- Royal Cinque Ports, Deal – one of England’s toughest links
- Prince’s, Sandwich – 27 holes of championship links
- North Foreland, Broadstairs – clifftop and parkland blend
- Littlestone, New Romney – classic, accessible coastal links
- Knole Park, Sevenoaks – parkland with roaming wild deer
- Wildernesse, Sevenoaks – historic, tree-lined parkland test
- Chart Hills, Biddenden – Nick Faldo’s bold parkland design
- London Golf Club, West Kingsdown – two Jack Nicklaus championship courses
- Faversham – scenic, welcoming estate parkland
- Cobtree Manor Park, Maidstone – friendly pay-and-play
Use the table below to compare them quickly before you book.
| Course | Town | Type | Visitor access | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal St George’s | Sandwich | Links | Restricted | Bucket-list round |
| Royal Cinque Ports | Deal | Links | Welcome (weekdays) | A serious test |
| Prince’s | Sandwich | Links | Welcome | Links day with a stay |
| North Foreland | Broadstairs | Clifftop / parkland | Welcome | Easy coastal golf |
| Littlestone | New Romney | Links | Welcome | Accessible links |
| Knole Park | Sevenoaks | Parkland | Welcome (limited) | Scenery and deer |
| Wildernesse | Sevenoaks | Parkland | Members and guests | Classic parkland |
| Chart Hills | Biddenden | Parkland | Welcome | Fun, bold design |
| London Golf Club | West Kingsdown | Parkland | Members and guests | Corporate golf |
| Faversham | Faversham | Parkland | Welcome | Relaxed history |
| Cobtree Manor Park | Maidstone | Pay-and-play | Pay and play | Casual rounds |
What is the best golf course in Kent?
Royal St George’s in Sandwich is the best golf course in Kent. It is a historic links and a regular Open Championship venue. The right course for you depends on your goal, though. Purists chase the coastal links, while many players prefer the easier parkland inland.
The best links golf courses in Kent
Eastern Kent holds England’s greatest run of links golf. Three courses here have hosted The Open, making this one of the finest coastlines in the sport.
Royal St George’s, Sandwich
This Sandwich links is Kent’s premier course and its only current Open rota venue. It last hosted The Open in 2021. The course is brutal, windswept, and unforgettable. Visitor access is limited, so book well ahead or play as a member’s guest.
Royal Cinque Ports, Deal
Just down the coast in Deal sits Royal Cinque Ports. It is one of the toughest links in England. Play the closing seven holes into the wind and you will not forget them. It regularly hosts Open Final Qualifying.
Prince’s, Sandwich
Prince’s offers 27 holes across three nines, right beside Royal St George’s. Gene Sarazen won the 1932 Open here. As of 2026, it is set to host the 2030 Walker Cup. Better still, it welcomes visitors and has its own on-site lodging.
North Foreland and Littlestone
Want links golf without the wait? North Foreland near Broadstairs blends clifftop and parkland holes beautifully. Littlestone, near New Romney, is a classic links that welcomes visitors. Both are far easier to book than the famous trio.
The best parkland golf courses in Kent
Inland Kent rewards you with superb parkland golf. These courses are scenic, varied, and usually much easier to play as a visitor.
Knole Park, Sevenoaks
Knole Park sits inside 1,000 acres of National Trust parkland. Wild deer roam the fairways as you play. Spot a stag crossing the green and your scorecard suddenly feels less important. J.F. Abercromby designed this clever, elevated layout.
Wildernesse, Sevenoaks
Founded in 1890, Wildernesse is one of England’s finest parkland courses. Tree-lined fairways demand straight, honest driving. According to Golfmagic, it sits comfortably inside England’s top 200. This is a private club, so plan around guest access.
Chart Hills, Biddenden
Chart Hills is Nick Faldo’s bold English design, full of sand and water. The owners of Prince’s revived the course after buying it in 2019. Its fifth hole features one of the longest bunkers in Europe. It is welcoming and great fun to play.
London Golf Club, West Kingsdown
London Golf Club boasts two Jack Nicklaus championship courses. The Heritage course is the headline act. Its facilities and hospitality suit corporate golf perfectly. Access usually runs through membership or organised packages.
Faversham and Royal Blackheath
Faversham, on the Belmont Estate, is a lovely and genuinely welcoming parkland. Royal Blackheath dates back to 1608 and recently enjoyed a smart renovation. Both pair easy walking with real heritage. They make excellent, relaxed days out.
Best Kent golf courses for societies, corporate days and networking
The best Kent golf courses for business golf are London Golf Club, Chart Hills, and West Malling. They offer strong society packages and excellent clubhouses. That matters, because the real deal often happens after the round.
Good business golf needs more than a great layout. You want easy guest access, quality dining, and a central location. Courses near Maidstone, Sevenoaks, and Ashford keep travel simple for everyone.
Now for the honest part. The best Kent clubs are hard to play as a lone visitor. Golf works far better when you already have people to play with.
That is exactly why Level Up Golf exists. It is the UK’s first directory connecting business owners who play golf. You can join Kent’s business golf network for £30 plus VAT a month. Members get networking days, supplier discounts, and a business growth toolkit.
Best value and pay-and-play golf courses in Kent
Not every round needs to be a grand occasion. These pay-and-play courses are affordable, friendly, and easy to book.
- Cobtree Manor Park, Maidstone – pay-and-play over nine or 18 holes
- Birchwood Park, Dartford – a big range and an accessible course
- Boughton, near Faversham – a popular, well-kept 18 holes
All three are perfect for a casual game or for getting back into golf.
How much does it cost to play golf in Kent?
Green fees in Kent vary widely by course type. Pay-and-play rounds sit at the affordable end. Premium championship links command the highest visitor fees.
Sitting in England’s wealthier south-east, Kent carries a slight price premium. Booking ahead or playing as a member’s guest usually saves you money. Always check current rates with the club before you travel.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best golf course in Kent?
Most golfers name Royal St George’s in Sandwich as the best. It is a historic links and a regular Open Championship venue. Your ideal course depends on whether you prefer a challenging links or accessible parkland golf.
Which Kent golf courses have hosted The Open?
Three Kent links have hosted The Open Championship. They are Royal St George’s, Prince’s, and Royal Cinque Ports. All three sit close together along the east coast, near Sandwich and Deal.
Can visitors play the top golf courses in Kent?
Yes, many can, with a little planning. Prince’s and most parkland clubs welcome visitors and societies. Elite clubs like Royal St George’s restrict access more tightly. Always book ahead, especially during summer.
How many golf courses are there in Kent?
There are around 100 golf courses in Kent. They range from world-famous links to small pay-and-play layouts. This huge variety is part of why Kent is called the Garden of England for golfers.
What are the best parkland golf courses in Kent?
Top picks include Knole Park, Wildernesse, and Chart Hills. Faversham and Royal Blackheath are also superb choices. They offer scenic, accessible golf away from the busy coast.
The takeaway
Few counties match Kent for golf, whatever your handicap or budget. The county pairs Open-hosting links with welcoming parkland and easy pay-and-play. There really is a course here for every kind of round.
Chase the famous links for a bucket-list day. Pick parkland or pay-and-play for an easy game. Choose a society-friendly club when business is on the agenda.
If you want to play more often with the right people, Level Up Golf can help. Join the directory, meet local business owners, and turn your next round into real connections. Which Kent course is top of your list this season?
