Welcome to UK-GolfGuide's page which contains feedback from site users who have played at Hemsted Forest Golf Club.

Whilst UK-GolfGuide.com attempts to turf out the more unhelpful or just plain daft contributions, some may slip through. If you have played the course or hold a different opinion to those of the contributors, feel free to use the Add your Comments icon to provide a broader spread of views. If you have a gripe with the club then take it up with them directly - please don't use this facility for airing grievances!.

If you have played this course and would like to add your comments then feel free to Add a Report.

Colin Ingram (England) 22/06/08

We played here after two days of heavy rain (which had closed the course). But the course was in excellent condition; almost no casual water and the greens as fast as usual. A fine course, and most attractive in the trees.

Value for Money	8
Challenge	7
Off Course	6

Tim Wordsworth (England) 30/05/08

Played for the first time on Sunday of the Bank Holiday Weekend and was surprised at how quiet it was. As a two ball we rapidly made up ground on a four ball and they let us through reasonably promptly.

The course was in great condition with fantastic fairways and greens. Knowledge is key off the tee with some holes requiring a well placed drive to leave a second shot at the green. The character of the front nine is less harsh than that of the back nine where water, sloping fairways and blind greens await.

A good golf course with the potential to become one of Kent's finest clubs. The club faiclities are adequate, although the practice groud is a goodly distance from the clubhouse. Will defintely return.

Value for Money	5
Challenge	7
Off Course	6

A Player (England) 02/11/07

If you are not habitually straight off the tee, then put a chainsaw in your bag when visiting Hemsted (nee The Executive Club, nee Cranbrook GC).

Each hole may appear straightforward off the tee but this course requires management and the approaches to the green all need care.

The greens are a wonderful test of putting, barring the first which is a pretty flat piece of turf but then you need a little help to ease into a round when the practice facilities are too far away to use (a net would be handy).

It is hugely important to stay out of the bunkers -- they are either hard, thin on sand in the summer or cloggy and wet in the winter. Matters are not helped by the fact that the largely ignorant membership often fails to rake them adequately after a visit — possibly a symptom of the fact that this is a course not a club.

A round will take a long time if you aren't straight and most of the members aren't.

Additionally, they seem to have got into the habit of standing with their four ball partners to watch each other play. Very time consuming.

Perhaps some time boards could be introduced to help them appreciate that golf is a three-hour game not four or four and a half. That or a timekeeper to travel round and chivvy them up on the busiest days.

One other bugbear is the tees. These are not of a standard for any golf club. The plastic matting on the 3rd is outrageous and most are narrow and uneven.

More care is needed on the margins of the course where too much bramble and weed has been allowed to prosper.

Unarguably this could be one of the jewels of the Kent golf scene but greater attention to detail is required.

Similarly, the club house is a dour affair with a distinctly unwelcoming atmosphere. I have not tarried to try the food as a result.

The green fee booth (it is not in any way a pro shop) is, however, attended by a cheerful lot, who make up for the lack of customer (because that is what they are, not members really) focus elsewhere.

Value for Money	6
Challenge	6
Off Course	2

M Gibbins (England) 23/07/07

Played the course for the first time in over four years. Yes it is not the most challenging from the tee but the greens more than make up for it - simply awesome. The fairways are immaculate and overall a very well presented course.

However, when I used to be a member, the course was thankfully relatively unknown, resulting in a quiet yet quick round. This weekend was busy, but we got off at 10.00 am and waited behind a four ball (we were a two ball). On every hole thereafter we waited at least 5 - 10 mins on the tee, and about 5 mins playing our second / third shots. How stupidly annoying can some inept golfers be. If they were playing immaculate golf it can be a pleasure to wacth, but 4 "gents" topping, slicing, hooking, hacking just incensed us. Even when we asked we were either ignored or told it was busy. The fact they could barely see us from 10 feet probably explained why they couldn't see that nobody was in front of them!

Considering it is over an hour journey to the course I unfortuntely won't be looking to renew my membership. The lack of help from the pro-shop regarding this problem seemed to imply it was not a one off.

It is and probably always will be a cracker of a course, unfortunately the experience is completely overshadowed by the total lack of respect the current members have for course etiquette - a real shame. I would be interested to see if that differs on other quieter days.

Value for Money	7
Challenge	8
Off Course	8

ian grout (England) 03/05/07

Ok the reading on Hemsted golf course by all of the previous writers is accurate to some degree.

Yes the course used to get very wet in the winter but an awful lot of money spent on drainage has improved this beyond recognition.

Yes the mat on the third is annoying and I wish they would soil and seed the tee box.

Yes there are few bunkers but the ones there are very strategic.

however the course is always, yes always fantastic.

It is tight and fully tree lined on every hole.

Every single guest I have taken has raved about the course and its quality of condition.

The greens are deep rooted so are used all year round.

My one and only true criticism is the tee boxes across a number of holes should be leveled and re seeded to improve them.

I have been a member for two years and am also a member at Chart hills and the Berkshire and this course stands up to both as test of golf and condition, but on a fraction of the budget the other two course, (three if you include both at the Berkshire), have.

Play the course between now and October and you will not be dissapointed, unless fast greens and tightly cut fairways are not your bag.

the grass under the trees is killed so if you visit the trees your ball is an easy spot off of pine needles but only a chip out sideways will be on.

The food is fantastic and reasonably priced.

The only draw back is the changing rooms are only fitted with two showers so if there is a group of you there is a bit of a wait.

That said the staff are great, Chris the pro is an absolute delight and all of the team will make you so welcome.

The course is worth every penny of the £40 green fee and societies would have an absolutely brilliant day.

Slow play is not the norm but on busy days expect a 4 - 41/2 hr round, the course plays longer than its par 70 believe me shoot your handicap and you will feel like you are well under par!

Richard Gardner (England) 08/10/06

Have played here nearly every week for the last two years. The course represents fantastic value especially if you take out ececutive membership. I do agree with other reviews that the mat on the 3rd does spoil the course a little bit and there are sometimes a few puddles during the winter. A lot of drainage work has gone on recently so it will be interseting to see the improvement this winter. The greens are beautifully maintained and there are no winter greens. At its best in the spring and autumn the course is a glorious spectacle and immaculately looked after throughout the year. The fairways are tree lined and the fairways tight and many of the holes are dog legs; so an accurate T shot is essential to avoid trouble. The club house, a converted Oast House, is fascinating, the restaurant offers excellent quality and amazing value. The staff are friendly and welcoming as have been all of the members I have met. Thoroughly recommended.

Value for Money	10
Challenge	8
Off Course	8