Chart Hills - Kent - England

6th Kent - Best in Area 94th England Ranking
Chart Hills Golf Club,
Weeks Lane,
Biddenden,
Kent,
TN27 8JX,
England

  • +44 (0)1580 292222

  • Golf Club Website

  • M25, then M20, turn off at Leeds Castle

  • Welcome 7 days. After 1pm Mon,Wed,Sat,Sun. Before 1pm Fri.

  • James Cornish

  • Nick Faldo, Steve Smyers

  • Anthony Tarchetti

Chart Hills Golf Club is set in the peaceful rural heart of the Garden of England where old oak trees stand guard and where there is sand, lots and lots of sand.

This is Nick Faldo’s first European design and the discerning American designer, Steve Smyers, supported him, opening for play in 1993. They have created a big and attractive golf course with acres of water and sand to trip up the very best golfers, or as Steve Smyers said: “You feel a great course; it thrills you and sometimes frightens you. But in the end, it will challenge the best in you.”

Despite the English rural location, Chart Hills feels like a commercial American golf and country club complex. The service is first class – they are geared towards corporate and society golf and naturally, it has mandatory buggy paths weaving their way along each of the holes.

The design is bold and uses the natural contours of the land to good effect. The fairways twist and turn in every conceivable direction, heading towards the huge and frighteningly undulating greens. The bunkering is daring in the extreme, extravagant and exceptionally varied, ranging from small deep pot bunkers to the huge serpent-like “Anaconda” bunker on the par five 5th that wiggles along for more than 200 yards. Water hazards feature extensively at Chart Hills. These, too, come in all shapes and sizes and are frequently in play, especially on the short par three 17th where the green is an island.

At the end of 2019, Chart Hills became part of the Ramac Group, which is controlled by the McGuirk family who also own Prince’s in Sandwich. A large rebuild operation took up most of 2020 as new drainage was installed across the course and fairways sand capped with 32,000 tonnes of sand spread in a four inch layer throughout. The old bentgrass fairways are now composed of hard-wearing ryegrass and a course reopening date of March 2022 was brought forward a year because of progress made during the covid crisis.

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Description: Chart Hills Golf Club is set in the peaceful rural heart of the Garden of England where old oak trees stand guard and where there is sand, lots and lots of sand. Rating: 6.8 out of 10 Reviews: 31
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Phil Bonsall
A good course but not "great"I think Faldo has designed many better since he did this one.I know the place is known for its bunkers, but I think many of them are unnecesary.
September 25, 2008
6 / 10
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Kirkus
August 10, 2009
Really enjoyed Chart Hills, played it on a blisteringly hot day when the fairways were rock hard and the ball was running. Very tricky course but with lots of great holes on it. My only slight criticism is that it all feels a little bit "man made" and with so many bunkers it is almost a little bit "gimmicky". The par 3s aren't great either, until the 17th, which is a gem.
andy busby
I thought the course and all it facilities were fantastic and at £65 great value compared to other courses played recently (Sunningdale, Brockett Hall & Woburn).Excellent condition even though there had been a lot of overnight rain that meant bunkers were flooded in certain areas.Greens very true and well kept but aforementioned rain probably slowed them a little.Will be going back for more.All staff very hospitable from bar to pro shop to starter.thank you very much Chart Hills
June 15, 2008
8 / 10
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seb wells
i have played many fine courses in the south east, Wentworth, The london cluband St Georges including Chart hills. Iand many others rate this golf club very highly, The condition will rate any top golf course. The greens will match augusta, running at 13 on the stimp from may to september the best time to play it to when it is in mint condition! the quality of the service was inpectable everything was good from the drive in where they take your clubs out your car to the impectable golf and the drinks after. This course was built to hold big events! I went up to play in the Pro-am and watch the ladies compete in the ladies english open, i managed to play with Linda Wessberg who said " it is the best course we visit on the tour". i personally enjoyed playing it and if you want a challenge, go off the oaks, you will be challenged and enjoy it! i highly recomend it to any golfer!
July 08, 2007
10 / 10
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Edward Coleridge
I arrived at the course with high expectations, given previous comments and also the fact that this was a Nick Faldo design. I wouldn't say i was disappointed, but the course wasn't quite what i thought it would be. There are some interesting holes here, and a few stick in the memory as being very cleverly designed, and make you really think about what shot to hit. Very rarely do you step onto the tee and pull the headcover of your driver straight away. Maybe it was because we played in March, but the course is not very pleasing to look at. Unlike playing a great inland course like sunningdale, or a classic links, you feel as if this was just a piece of land turned into a golf course, rather than a classic design in a great setting. Still it is worth playing once, and i would probably go back. But would rate more lowly ranked courses above Chart hills i think.
March 14, 2007
6 / 10
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J M Frew
The layout of Chart Hills really is very good indeed. It is not overly long from the Blue tees, but does present numerous challenges particularly the 'risk/reward' Par 4s and 5s. In particular the 2nd and 5th going out and 10, 13 and 15 are excellent.I really enjoyed my 2 rounds and was made to feel welcome in the clubhouse. The only surprise is the Par 3s, which apart from 17 are truly forgetable. They lack interest and crucially for a course of this quality - distance. Over all though, a really great course.
April 19, 2006
8 / 10
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Andy Newmarch
Very impressed with Chart Hills. The vast amount of bunkers (138 of them) are a key factor but the variety of holes for me is the biggest plus point. No one hole is anything like any of the others, so you are kept so interested from start to finish. The degree of difficulty against playing to handicap is extreamly fair – think about your shots and positioning and you should do well – badly planned golf is punished severely in either the bunkers or in the many water hazards around the course. Too many great holes to mention here but the one for me is the 17th … think Florida, think Sawgrass, think island green – any shot short, left, right or long is wet, simple as that …. Great drama …. Thank you Mr Faldo !
March 26, 2006
8 / 10
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J
This is a very good test of golf, long enough but also a test of strategy. In great condition all year round but make sure you remember your sand wedge as you will go in at least one bunker.
February 19, 2006
8 / 10
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Phil Church
The first 12 holes were excellent, but unfortunately it took us nearly 4 hours to complete them. I think this was caused by too many four balls with buggies.
October 11, 2004
4 / 10
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Mike Jones

A fabulous course in superb condition. The layout is a real strategists delight with many shot options presented on every hole and no real benefit to being a long hitter except for a couple of holes perhaps. Presented in great condition with the feel of a seaside links when the wind blows. Most definitely worth a vist and also a higher position in this list. Let down a touch by the club house facilities and locker rooms that could do with a bit of TLC.

July 01, 2004
8 / 10
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stuart speechly

Great inspiration from the great Nick Faldo. A visually and technically intimidating course winding through this beautiful Kent valley. Requires the full repertoire of shot making and every club in your bag. Fantastically conditioned course with very good greens. Play off the Oak markers for a proper challenge. Great reception staff, service and facilities.

May 31, 2004
8 / 10
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