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Welcome to UK-GolfGuide's page which contains feedback from site users who have played at Lullingstone Park 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.

Paul Williams (England) 18/01/08

Played here yesterday for the first time in a society day. Despite the at times howling gale which made the 12th an interesting challenge , a thoroughly enjoyable day and very good value for money. Would happily recommend it to any one. A fair challenge and wide fairways are forgiving. In very good condition despite the recent heavy rains and made a little easier with a few tees forward. No temporary greens and only two tee mats (5th and 18th). Found it fairly easy walking as am used to much steeper slopes and lies at my own club Tyrrells Wood.

Ratings

Value for Money	10
Challenge	8
Off Course	8

Dave Libbeter (England) 02/01/08

I played Lullingstone on 01/01/2008 in a three ball which took just under 4 hours. This is one humungus course, which makes the quality of it's upkeep even more impressive. Even though it had been raining over night the course wasn't waterlogged and they had a worker going round with a wiper taking the dew off the greens! This is definetely a course for someone who likes their driver, nearly all of the holes require a good drive to set you off, however all of the fairway's are really wide and very forgiving. Overall I would say this is the best course I have played in Kent based on distance, quality and setting, I will be returning when my legs recover from this trip!

Ratings

Value for Money	10
Challenge	8
Off Course	8

Ian B (England) 10/10/07

Played here recently and will agree with most previous comments. Fantastic course but very long for a pay and play, several par 4's are well over 400 yards and the longest 5 is 550 yards. The fairways are sloping but mainly quite wide and the greens are in good condition. The tee's were quite frustrating though as many were sloping and in poor condition. Like the others say: it's hard on the handicap but I can't wait to come back.

Ratings

Value for Money	9
Challenge	9
Off Course	6

neil lester (England) 02/09/07

played there this week-end. one of the best courses i've played. real test for your handicap.challenging but fair.

Ratings

Value for Money	10
Challenge	10
Off Course	9

|john Spendiff (England) 31/08/07

A splendid course offering pleasant views of green rolling hills and a glimpse of Lullingstone Castle on a few of the holes. This quintessentially English country course may well force you to amend your handicap. The length of many of the holes means that you have to be on good terms with your driver and fairway wood.

Ratings

Value for Money	8
Challenge	8
Off Course	5

Brian Ayres (England) 28/08/07

Great course and correctly says as the best views in the south east. Not many flat holes with the climb to the eighth like a mountain. Course in great condition except some tees could do with some work. Would recommend to anyone

Ratings

Value for Money	10
Challenge	8
Off Course	7

k Stephenson (England) 07/06/07

Fantastic golf course. Played here for 10 years and is in the best condition ever. had a very enjoyabnle day and only 3 1/2 hours to get round, ( twilight mind ). the new shower facility is 100 times better. Reccomend to anyone.

Ratings

Value for Money	10
Challenge	8
Off Course	10

Lee Putnam (England) 26/10/06

We played this course on 14th Oct as two three balls. The course was in good condition albeit unpredictable greens. The scenery as noted by other posters was spectacular. If I have any critism of this course, it would be that my friends behind were continually peppered with balls from a six ball- yes a six ball using carts who obviously lack the etiquette that most golfers demonstrate. When the pro shop were informed their response was oh they are regulars, is that an excuse ? Expect the round to take at least 5 1/2 to 6 hours. The course will test all levels and leave most with a score that probably doesn't match their handicap.

Ratings

Value for Money	7
Challenge	8
Off Course	7

Andy Capp (England) 21/08/06

We played this course over the weekend and despite parking up at the course at 6am... to our surprise there were already 4 groups teeing off in front of us...

Had a pleasant round and would recommend this course to anyone. Having said that it can be quite a challenge to the higher handicapp's.

Fairways are quite generous but definately a thinking man's course as you'll need to put the in the right place because of the big sloping fairways.

Ratings

Value for Money	10
Challenge	6
Off Course	0

Mark Land (England) 20/08/06

I have played this course weekly for over ten years through the Spring & Summer months and can recommend it as a challenging and enjoyable course for all levels of handicap. I am interested that all the reviews I have read do not mention one criticism we have of the course, which is the appalling and sometimes unfair state of the tee boxes. in my opinion it is unfair to have to tee off on uneven and sometimes sloping tee boxes, the course itself provides a great test without having to contend with that!! So saying the views are great, and yes play is slow but it is a public course and perhaps a slightly longer gap between tee off times would improve the situation.

If you want a challenging round of golf on a course you have to think your way around..go there!!

Ratings

Value for Money	8
Challenge	8
Off Course	7

big dave (England) 22/06/06

in my opinion lullingstone is one of the best puplic courses in the south east

played june 06 greens were in good nick the overall condition of the fairways is good

exellent veiws all round the course

plays very long and very challenging for all golfers

at £20 weekend green fees value for money worth playing if you have never been before

Ratings

Value for Money	10
Challenge	9
Off Course	8

John McDermott (England) 27/02/06

Good investment in the course is evident. A new water hazard on the 18th, pathways added to the many slopes, newly sanded bunkers and lightning fast greens for February (following moderate snow!). If this continues - and they smarten up the fairways- this will be one of the best public courses around.

Ratings

Value for Money	9
Challenge	8
Off Course	7

Simon Rockcliffe (England) 20/08/05

I would definitely recommend this course. Wonderful countryside views allow you to forget you are only 45minutes from London. The course is challenging, especially for higher handicappers, although I was playing with a low handicapper, who found equally challenging.

It is both long (good tee shots required) and hilly (providing difficult lies), which primarily accounts for the time taken to finish the course (commented below). The hills were a real challenge and provided a good work out. Ensure you allow 5hrs to complete.

The course is well maintained and if anyone wants to have a real challenge, whilst enjoying a great setting, you cant go far wrong.

I will definitely be going back.

Ratings

Value for Money	8
Challenge	8
Off Course	8

Stan Lee (England) 31/07/05

Played 29th July, Gave up after 15 holes as it was approaching 5 hours for the round by then.

Course was in good nick, greens and tees very good.

Its a shame they overcrowd the course as I and like the groups we chatted to on every Tee agreed that we'd never go back to play there again.

God only knows what its like at weekends.

Ratings

Value for Money	5
Challenge	5
Off Course	5

K Walker (Scotland) 27/07/05

This is not the course to play if you want to finish a round in under 4 hours. The pace of play is extremely slow. The scorecard clearly states "avoid slow play at all times". This is ignored and the club does nothing to enforce the message. Employee a marshall!

Ratings

Value for Money	6
Challenge	5
Off Course	7

*SE* (Scotland) 10/05/05

On my previous visit to Lullingstone, I was in a 2-ball that crawled round in a shade under 6 hours!! This visit (07 May 05) was heading the same way until the timely intervention of a violent storm made lots of people walk off. I pay to play golf, not stand around admiring the scenery which I can do for nothing. Never again!

Ratings

Value for Money	1
Challenge	4
Off Course	7

Henry Shinners (England) 19/12/04

Played the course on 18 Dec 04 for the first time for 3 years. Back in those days, we were quite new to the game and none of us ever broke 100 at Lullingstone. This time around, the course did seem a lot gentler, the slopes not quite so difficult (we are members at Austin Lodge so get some practice at those) and the distances not so long. Three of the fourball scored 30+ points (two shot mid-80s) and one managed 39. The only one who didn't score reasonably well was the one with the mega-hangover! It was soft underfoot after a wet week but still quite playable and all the greens were in play and in good nick. All bar two of the proper tees were in use too, so well done to the greenkeepers for that. We won't leave it so long before coming back again.

Lee Harpley (England) 21/07/04

Just recently i played at this course and was taken back by the fantastistic views around the course and the toughness that the course showed towards my game.I would just like to share with my fellow golfers what a great day was had by my society and myself.The day got off to a flyer with a full english that i had to leave a little due to the fact that the portions had gone beyond VFM and i had to leave a little .The golf was superb and back to the 19th at lunchtime ,the staff at the clubhouse were fantastic to the extreme and catered for and beyond everyones needs.Texas scramble after lunch and back again to the clubhouse,the changing rooms need some severe attention compared to the London Club but i was told that the Sevenoaks District Council have put aside the money to developoe these facilities (much needed) But this didnt spoil the day SSandS and home ................What a great day recommend to any society .

John Mcdermott (England) 17/06/04

I couldn't agree more, though in 15 years playing this course I've never seen as much as a denim patch.

Lullingstone is a cut above all other public courses I've played and certainly better than many over-hyped private establishments. It is very challenging offering a mix of steep downland on the front nine and mature woodland coming home.

Don't be dissapointed if your score fails to reflect your handicap. The course plays much longer than it reaaly is amnd it makes your next round elsewhere seem so much easier.

A Non (England) 12/06/04

After reading some of the comments below i feel compelled to write. Firstly, you get what you pay for. Lullingstone is a cheap course, so why complain about the quality and standard of other golfers, if you want a top notch course then pay the money and join one. I think it is good that there is a course where hackers can turn up in their jeans and have a blast around a course. Secondly, the slopes, whats the problem, learn to play off a hanging lie, its what the pro's do day in day out, its part of the game, no course should be tailor made to bad golfers failings. Thirdly, people who wear jeans are not a degenerate subspecies of humankind, i play off 5 at a championship course, conform to all etiquette, and have over the years represented a few clubs in competitions but will always wear jeans and a t-shirt if a club allows me to do so and personally find snobbery the worst form of bad etiquette.

Lullingstone, is a great course for those who do not take the game to seriously, kids, and those who cannot afford an expensive club, and i hope it stays that way.

Sean Price (England) 26/05/04

I played the 9-hole course recently and really enjoyed the course. Good challenge and some good par 3's and 4's. Recommend it too all....Will be booking my tee time for the 18-hole, if its as good as the 9-hole then I will be going back!!

Paul Beaven (Wales) 24/05/04

lullingstone would be more enjoyable if certain people were given lessons in etiquette.i will not call them golfers.i have played this course for 30 years.it is what it is a cheap round of golf especialy if you take advantage of the twilight discount.fantastic views. bunkers are filled with some kind of sand substitute.give it a try dont expect a quick round though.yes i have seen jean wearing people on this course.

S Barnett (England) 18/09/03

Why do people constantly moan about the slopes, can they not see them when they tee up?? The undulations in my opinion only add to the test. As for the standard of dress and behaviour, I have never seen people in vests or jeans and behaving like "pikeys" at Lullingstone, unlike Addington Court. Also, many people have complained about not achieving or beating their handicapp. If you are regularly beating and playing to your handicapp then you are recieving too many strokes and should hand your cards in to get it lowered accordingly (bandits!).

Lullingstone is a great test of positional play and club selection and if you think the slopes are testing here, I suggest you try the Freshwater Bay Links Course on the Isle of Wight!!!

John Mac (England) 05/08/03

I have played Lullingstone, year round, for over ten years. It's very addictive, throwing up new challenges every time. The mixture of downland and mature parkland, shelter and exposed hilltops is a real (but reasonable) test of golfers of all abilities.

Don't go if you want to improve your handicap as it plays much longer than it should. That aside, Lullingstone is tremendous fun, especially for matchplay.

Nick (England) 29/06/03

Played course for the first time today - basically its a bit of a track - some holes are like playing on a converted field than a proper sculpted golf course - greens very slow for summer as well. However, very picturesque. Best hole I thought is the par 3, 13th. Paid £18.60 - reasonable value I guess, but don't expect to be wowed by the course. Its ok - nothing more, nothing less.

John R. (England) 11/06/03

I have been playing the 18 hols course regularly on Saturday afternoons for the past few months, and have noticed the work being done on the quality of grass on the greens. Last Saturday (7th June) they had reached a quality of growth and texture which is far and away the best they have been in my 30 years of playing the course. Even the 17th, which is notoriously bad for drainage, has a good surface, and I for one support the idea of reducing the size of the putting surface which has been undertaken on this hole.

HOWEVER, I wonder how many other players are appreciating the amount of work that has gone into achieving this standard? On every occasion that I have played recently I have taken time to repair pitchmarks on the greens, without holding up play, and every weekend the total is well in excess of 100 repairs by the end of the round. Sound a lot? Think about it, five pitchmarks on every green = 90 per round. A couple of weeks ago I repaired 29 on the 14th green alone!! It doesn't take long to do whilst your playing partner(s) are putting.

At my club in Ireland the ranger reularly stops players during a round, and asks them to produce their pitchmark repairer. Failure to do so can result in the player being asked to leave the course, but more usually to cough up 1 Euro to puchase one, the money going towards the Junior golf section.

So just take a little care folks, and remember the old saying "If every golfer repaired his pitchmark and one other - there would never be any!"

Simon (uk) 09/09/02

It had been 9 months since I last played Lully – (the weekend before Christmas). Was amazed then to find grass tees in use and only two temporary greens. The fact that the greens were rock hard and the ball leapt 30 feet in the air just added to the challenge.

We returned last Sunday having played a lot of allegedly quality courses in recent months. We were amazed at the condition that the course was in. The rough seems to have been cut back a bit and the greens were in excellent condition. The course seemed less of a challenge (but I have gained a lot of distance since I last played) but still a wonderful place to play golf. Ok there are some sloping fairways, but with careful placement you can avoid them. I actually prefer the front 9. The two par 5’s on the trot, the 8th with its raised green, the 4th with its blind green. The finishing holes are a bit of an anti climax. I always struggle with the out of bounds on the 18th, probably because I’m knackered from the walk. Very enjoyable -we shall be returning. Hopefully they will be improving the player’s facilities as they are a bit shabby, but the new colour course planner is a nice touch.

Chris (England(kent)) 29/08/02

On balance, over 15 years, I think I don't like it, it's the hugely cambered fairways in the middle of the round that do me in, resulting in hanging lies.

The finish is good, the last 5 holes, but on balance, a good strike will be punished too harshly for it to be a fair test of golf. In my humble opinion.

Nothing wrong with the setting though, maybe one day, some enlightened sole will re-design it with the middle part of the card playing cross valley, rather than along ?

Chris H'Cap 12

steve pilbeam (england) 04/02/02

Played a fourball on Sunday 3rd Feb 2002. Considering the amount of rain recently the course was in good condition.The extremely high variable winds along with the undulations made it a very enjoyable challenging matchplay coming down to the last putt on the 18th.(we lost!)Will defenately return in the summer to see the course in all its glory.

chris pilbeam (u.k) 03/02/02

Played the course for the 1st time ever today

Teed off at 8o/clock and finished in 3hrs 45 mins

Whats all the fuss about.

We played in very windy conditions(4ball) and

didnt play to our handicaps that wasnt the courses

fault

We are definitely going to play here again

A well looked after golf course

marvellous views slick greens and lovely bacon

baguettes at the 19th

3/2/2002

Henry Shinners (England) 17/12/01

What's all the fuss about? Having not played there since May, we played there on 16/12/01 and found the course to be in good condition. It was certainly firm under foot and the greens were decent, where some other courses are virtually unplayable in winter. The front 9 is difficult, with most a lot of shots having to be played from above or below your feet. It's not as enjoyable as (say) Darenth Valley but it's a bargain and recommended at this time of year.

Jamie Baxter (England) 21/08/01

I found this course enjoyable to play because of the great architecture it has, yes it's a struggle but this is what the games all about. There are a couple of things, however, that need a little brushing up. The front of some greens were lacking grass, the second is a good example.

The bunkers were quite bad especially on the par-5 6th where the grennside bunker look a little like a small pond. However they did get better and they became a less of a threat when I manage to chip the ball into the cup from a bunker on the 14th. The food isn't bad yet the kitchen does seem to close a little too soon. Friendly staff and great deals on junior play etc. make this course a good visit. 7/10!

John R. (England) 02/08/01

I have played this course regularly for over 25 years, and one of the holes which causes least problems is the 4th - after all it is a par 4 of less than 400 yards and downhill virtually all the way to the green. The holes where it is a struggle to keep a score together are the 11th, 12th & 13th. (Amen Corner on stilts!) Anyone who gets through these 3 in 12 shots (15 shots for high handicappers) has got a result.

Off the yellow tees this is NOT a long course, but it is a thinkers course. It is all about putting the ball in position to hit the green. Goodness knows the fairways are wide enough, you could lose several football pitches on some of them!

Anyone who considers this course a monster has obviously had precious little experience of playing on really demanding courses with such unfair hazards as deep pot-bunkers or heather! I belong to a club in Ireland where there are holes on hillsides which make Lullingstone look like gentle undulations, and no-one complains they accept this as a challenge.

Whilst I do play to a handicap of 7, I am not an exceptional player, nor particularly long off the tee - however I have regularly beaten 80 around Lullingstone using just a 2 iron & an 8 iron, which shows what can be done with a little thought.

Those that complain about this course should remember first of all that they are playing in a public park/amenity with hundreds of others users every day. Any hold-ups, pitch marks, divots or un-raked bunkers are caused by golfers like themselves!!

Bandit (UK) 27/07/01

What is all the fuss about? Played this course for the first time on a weekday in a fourball and it was great! The fairways on the early holes are a bit of a nightmare but that just makes it interesting. The greens were excellent and the overall condition of the course was first class. At £12-50 a round how can you complain at that?

patrick bush (england) 15/07/01

Played on sunday 14th july - Certainly worth the drive through the narrow lanes, to participate in a fourball match, play was very slow due to volume of golfers on 18 hole course. Found the greens to be of good speed able to pepper the flag as holding well. A thoroughly enjoyable round of golf, in lovely rolling contryside, even the dreaded 17th played well.

The shark (england) 07/07/01

played the course regulary this year and have found the greens in superb condition for a public course and constantly use my pitch mark repairer. Even the bunkers have had an overhaul with additional sand placed in.

having spoken to the greenstaff, at the end of may they were awaiting the spring commissioning of the irrigation system

Jason McGovern (United Kingdom) 26/06/01

I have played Lullingstone now for 3 years, 99 & 2000 the course was in pretty good shape. However, I have played the course twice this year, on 31st may & 26th June, and unfortunately the course is now in an awful condition. At least 12 of the greens now have dead patches, and the fairways look like we've had no rain for 7 years, not solid rain for 7 months. It must be the only times I've never needed a pitch mark repairer.

Shots on the fairways can be penalised as the club's just bounce off the solid earth, beware thinning wedges from infront of greens.

At the £11.25 I paid today, definately overpriced, and will be a long time before I return.

Also, because of the slopes on 2nd, 3rd and 4th, you have to aim for the left rough to have (the right on the 4th) any chance of keeping the ball on the fairway.

having played High Elms and Chelsfield Lakes this year, I'd head for those if I were you.

Tony (United Kingdom) 28/03/01

I have not played Lullingstone, but I have to say I've had more entertainment reading all these comments on the course than by playing a typical round of golf! Whatever the quality of the course (and I'm now dying to find out), this must be a contender for golf webpage of the year.

The Shark (United Kingdom) 26/02/01

Congratulations on the management for keeping the course open through the worst of the winter weather.

Having read Tiger's comments can I lend my support to redesigning the 4th ? My suggestion is to take the tee back 80 yards down the hill towards the path and make the hole a short but tight par 5. At the 200 -220 yard distance from the tee have a mound (low maintenance) across the fairway diagonally from right to left. Remove the existing fairway bunker, but place a second greenside bunker on the right, 30 yards from the green with a high back lip. Make the path OOB and continue OOB around the back of the green. The hole would then present the golfer with two strategies. Play safe and short along the left and reach the green in three or hit long along the right and reach the green possibly in two. The hole would be a tight par 5 but offer the opportunity of birdies if the right strategy is chosen and the shots are played well. Importantly the slope of the hill on the right would have less importance on the hole.

Fiddlers kitty (United Kingdom) 27/01/01

Played on Saturday 27th Januaury 2001, even after rain all week and severely heavy downpours overnight the course still played very well. The greens were superb considering the amount of water they must have consumed. Came across greenkeepers working on a saturday ! at a public course !, tractors on a green, apparently gravel banding to improve drainage.

Keep up the good work greenkeepers as a good course and excellent challenge for any serious player.

Peter - thetford - Norfolk (United Kingdom) 13/01/01

Quietly surprised, from reading the players reports, comments. Having played the 18 hole for the first time this saturday, the course condition was good, the greens played well and the bunkers i visited had been raked.

waterhog (United Kingdom) 07/12/00

Water,water everywhere, but at least the course is still open.Bring your waders, golfing mates and enjoy a winters tale at the park

Tiger (United Kingdom) 06/11/00

Paul - I've obviously hit on a raw nerve. I love playing from bunkers and I've had plenty of experience from sloping lies but lets face it the designers went to sleep on the 4th. I haven't complained about the 2nd, 3rd, 7th, 8th or 12th which all have sloping lies.

By the way did they design the 9 hole as the 6th and 7th holes are the original crazy golf holes ? At least you can expect that on a 9 hole.

No reply on the spongy 17th green then. Do I need my wellies for another year ?

Good luck with the Council - show 'em these comments if it would help.

(United Kingdom) 06/11/00

Tiger- Hawtree is the name of the designer - A very well respected design company and apart from the first part of the fairway on the 4th which has now been addressed, they did a superb job on a limited budget some 34years ago! I should point out at this stage that I don't work for either the Council, the pro shop or the the private contractor. Every hour of my time is voluntary and I have a constant battle with the Council to try to get the contractor to make adjustments to their working practices and improvements to the course. If you've ever dealt with institutions you would be more understanding - It is frustrating but I genuinely believe we are getting there.

A further point - Since when have all holes been designed that allows golfers to run the ball in to the pin or even the green?! Also since when has a single figure golfer been unable to understand the need for a variety of shots to overcome the challenge of a hole. If you still have this opinion, and I'm assuming you have'nt already had the pleasure of playing the two courses at the London Club, then I suggest you try to play there or buy one of their course planners. I think you will find numerous holes where the only option is over bunkers or water, whether you are on the left or right of the fairway!!!

If you had identified the first part of that hole as the problem, and many of us have for years, then I would have agreed, but you did not - which leads me to think that you perhaps more interested in your ability to play a particular type of shot or not.

If you want to have a flattering round of golf at a nice new layout where the challenges aren't as severe, go and play at Chelsfield Lakes. You will enjoy the experience because its a nice comfortable layout with nice views over the surrounding area and a very hospitable clubhouse, but as a genuine challenge for the lower handicap golfer it is not.

I always encourage people to comment when unhappy - We are a nation of people who will sit there with an appalling meal in front of them and not demand that it be replaced. However that is something that can be addressed immediately - Moving wheels that are not under your control is a little more difficult and a lot slower!!!!

As I said before, don't slate the course for errors in your own game - If you can't learn to play off an upslope or a sideslope then Lullingstone will indeed be a severe test - BUT it doesn't meen it's a poor golf course or that it's badly designed - It means you need to learn how to play those type of shots - If not for Lullingstone then for the times at your other golfing venues where you have missed that perfect flat fairway!!

Anyway Tiger, if you would like a challenge one day into next spring at an easy golf course and a return at Lullingstone, let me know.

Paul

Tiger 1/11/00 (United Kingdom) 01/11/00

Paul - Come off it !!! Who designed this course ? Someone with a deep interest in crazy golf. You missed the point about the 4th. Working back from the green, the greenside bunker is on the left, which means the best approach to the green is from the right. But how can you get your ball to stay on the right side of the fairway when every ball hit to the right rolls down the steep slope to end up on the left side ? It's luck more than skill - and I don't want to perfect a slice thank you !

I'm not having a go at the staff - you all do a great job, but great course designers would laugh all the way up and down the slopes if they took a look at Lullingstone.

You need the Council to spend some cash over the winter on redesigning those holes where luck plays a greater part than skill. Also how about an American style green at the 17th which is always as wet as sponge even in the middle of the summer. This hasn't been addressed for at least the last three years.

PS. I'm a single figure handicapper except when being run over by under-aged buggy drivers - over 18 ? My foot. It's like a landlord saying he doesn't serve drinks to anybody under 18 - take a look at the drivers during the next school holiday !

JW, London (United Kingdom) 31/10/00

If you want a slow, long and frustrating round play here. Go to Darenth velley, Addington, Austin Lodge or High Elms for a much more pleasant experience.

paul bennett () 26/10/00

I am writing to continue where I left off a few weeks ago, and especially relating to those who always blame external factors instead of looking at themselves first! When golf was first played in Britain, what type of course was played? What type of course is played for the British Open - St Andrews, St Georges, Carnoustie etc etc.

Apart from St Andrews which is relatively flat they all have undulating fairways and all who play on them have to learn how to play a far wider variety of shot than the average flat course player - So I suppose its no real surprise to find many golfers having difficulty on a few holes at Lullingstone or indeed at any course with a few slopes.

If you are to make a comment please use a bit of honesty and intelligence. Yes, in my opinion and many other players, it is poorly maintained and I will continue to battle with the powers that be to ensure a continued improvement.

We are seeing some improvements and at least we are talking on a regular basis. With this in mind, it would be brilliant if people with complaints could write on the brown cards ( available in the pro shop )on the areas that they feel need attending to, ie Bunkers, fairway shape, tee boxes, greens, hole cutting etc etc. Or write to myself at Lullingstone Pk Golf Club. However, it is always nice to praise and if you have any good comments please send those in as well.

Don,t listen to many of those biased negative comments - Come along to Lullingstone with an open and genuinely honest mind, play the course or courses, enjoy the landscape, wildlife and hospitality and perhaps you may even want to join our club and at about £35 per year ( plus green fees when you play ) it is a superb way to develop your game!!

Joseph G () 23/10/00

I've no complaints with the actual course itself but they really need someone at the first tee to coordinate tee off times: The two times I've played there I've encountered delays - last time by 25 minutes on the booked time. This really is unacceptable !

paul bennett () 09/10/00

In our society everyone is entitled to their own opinion but it's a shame when that opinion is based on ignorance, predjudice or even lack of ability!

Yes Lullingstone Park golf course as a public golf course has it's problems - It's open to the public !!! And not all members of the public are aware of courtesy, manners or ability. Should there be a written and practical test before golfers play on an 18 hole course - especially relating to etiquette? I believe this is essential but the financial desire of golf management is possibly an inhibiting factor.

As far as Lullingstone Park is concerned putting aside for a minute, the quality of the maintenance at the course, there are few more stunningly attractive areas to play the game of golf and for that matter - few more that are as difficult to beat. The course record is still only 71 and a constant challenge for the lower handicap golfer.

I have noticed from the other comments, that some people are unaware of the skill of course management while trying to play this wonderful game. People have complained about the sloping lies - there are only four or five fairways with some slope in them and I can take these people to many other courses where fairways are not flat! Surely the golfer needs to learn balance as part of his or her repertoire, rather than criticize the design and layout of a particular course.

As an example on the fourth, assuming the maintenance contractor has cut the fairway properly, you should make the choice on the tee - Do you take out the driver and risk rolling into the bunker or lay up with something less than the driver that panders to the golfing ego!!

Ther are many courses that feature bunkers in the middle of a fairway or at the bottom side of a slope - be honest with yourselves before you attack the course - Is it your bad decision on the tee that put you in trouble or is your idea of a top course, one that is spirit level flat with no hazards and geens that are as flat as pancakes for easy putting. If you don't want the combination of challenges, the history, the wonderful views and the superb wildlife, that this superb course offers you, YES, play somewhere else.

Now returning to the condition of the course - As a member of the general public and Lullingstone Park Golf Club, I am at present responsible for liasing with the Council, the Pro shop and the Contractor to improve the quality of the maintenance. It is a dificult task for many reasons but I am trying my hardest to get an improvement. This relates to all areas of the course including bunkers, fairway shaping, tee positions, hole cutting etc, etc.

Obviously nobody can stop the ignorance of those golfers who think buggies are racing cars, bunkers rake themselves, pitchmarks are quaint undulations in the greens and replacing divots is beneath their dignity.

If you have any thoughts on the above matters please contact me but please don,t have your head in the sand ( if you can find any! )about the course - it is difficult but beautiful and a real joy to play.

Cam B () 29/09/00

Having a game of golf, has got to be the highlight of my weekend. Unless you are playing behind the hackers who camp out in their caravans and decide to swamp these holes. The fairways are tight and the greens average. The facilities are ok for a public course. But expect to play an extremely long round(5hrs+)

jd () 29/09/00

the clubs facilities are on the basic side....the greens need some serious attention..i.e some grass seeds.....hackers seem to think that they can use a wedge on the green??? why does sevonoaks feel that they can let these people play?? tailored shirts should be visible..but alas vests seem to be more the norm than not...valid criticism should be welcome from this club...rather than sevonoaks propaganda..

the deerstalker () 11/09/00

Being one of the regular, cut down jeans and string vest brigade hackers, at this mountainious course. The standard of the course particularly the greens are a credit to the greenkeepers. Perhaps, if each golfer was to adhere to the common courtesy,s of golf, in particular, repairing pitch marks, replacing divots and I will rake that bunker, i been in.

So if you seek a challenging round of golf, then come and play a !MAN'S! course, boy's.

Smokey the BANDIT () 07/09/00

As regular player of the course, I feel must set a few points straight after reading some of the previous comments!. Whilst I appreciate it may at weekends become a long round, this is because the course is so popular. The buggies mentioned are only hired out to adults over 18 and often needed round this monster of a golf course. The only real thing that could be improved is the quality of the bunkers - which I undersatnd from the greenstaff are currently being worked on. So come all you so called GOLFERS, give it a chance!!. The 19th now has new owners who will be introuducing some new ideas and sprucing the place up a bit.

Michael Legge () 27/08/00

I have now played the course twice and it doesn't get any better. If you enjoy hitting the perfect drive and watching it go all the way down a slope this is the course for you. The greens definitely need attention and if you get into the rough forget it and take out another ball. Use your practice balls. I would be surprised if anyone gets round in less than 5 hours, beats their handicap, manages a long put and repeats the experience. Nevertheless, the views are not too bad.

() 17/08/00

I nominate this course for the golden bogey award, the prize for the worst golf course in the UK. Have you also tried the 19th hole ? I've seen better food in the bins at Motorway service stations. It's about time Sevenoaks Council spent some money on the clubhouse, greens and redesigning all those fairways at 45+ degree angles. How about some sand in the bunkers ? A cheap course but then it's not golf you're playing. Come on you tight fisted Council spend some money on making it a golf course.

j daniels () 14/08/00

well what can i say but that id rather dip my balls in a deep fat fryer..I lost so many balls because of pikeys nicking them on the fairway.Did they think they were free!!!!..and then they tried to sell them back to me three holes later!!!

The 7th does have some lovely touches though...and i had ten of them!

6/10 for course.......1/10 for other golfers.

() 13/08/00

This course has been lifted from Blackpool pleasure beach. Crazy golf over 4.5 miles. If you enjoy golf there are plenty of other courses nearby which are twice as good.

() 30/07/00

I agree with the report of the 30/7. The course is for mountain goats and 17 year old boy racers in their 15 mph golf carts. Avoid the course unless you've got 5 hours to waste. Ugly !!!

() 30/07/00

A course for hackers. Expect to spend at least 5 hours behind jeans and string vested beginners playing snooker on a grand scale. Course would improve by the addition of a windmill on the 4th (you have to putt through the door and out the other side). Main use for this course seems to be to give 17 year olds driving experience in the carts before they're let out onto the roads. Nice course for a long walk - shame they're about the low standards.

Tris () 21/04/00

Average Parland/woodland course. But whats not average is it length, an absolute monster at over 7100 yards from championship tees this course is one for the big hitters. Lots of testing par 5's and long par 4's, get birdies here and you will be doing well. After the long par 4 1st hole which is reletively flat you take a short walk through a wooded area to reach the 2nd were it opens out, to a beautiful view of a huge U 'shaped' valley with holes running down the sides of the hills. WARNING! if you dont like a lot of walking dont play this course or think about getting a buggie. With it usually being windy, very long and very hilly positional play comes high on the agenda, a very testing course. What i didn't like was the quality of the bunkers. Some had more pebbles in them than Brighton beach and the sand was more like gravel and half of them were left unracked as well. Dress code is non-existent and being set in the grounds of Lullingstone Park with pathways open to the public you have dogs and young children running wild and the occasional person riding a horse as well. Theres no water hazards present either which i would like to see. Decent fairways, below average greens and a average clubhouse probably best played during midday midweek when the weathers calm but warm. Rather travel a extra 10 minutes and play somewhere like Austin Lodge or Darreth Valley instead.5/10

James Spearing-16 () 10/04/00

This course is exceptional. With the first few holes on the 18 hole course very difficult with trees on either side and sloping fairways, from side to side. Brilliant par-3 5th followed by two par 5's. All in all, a hard course to beat your handicap at!!

Mark () 27/09/99

Well what can i say, i've played the 9 hole course here quite a few times and what a challenge. Especially the 7th and 8th if you don't go up to the top of the fairway your stuffed!!! because they're both at 45 degrees, and if you miss the top your ball just rolls down and down. Great par 3 4th.

Not bad!!!