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Welcome to UK-GolfGuide's page which contains feedback from site users who have played at Pedham Place Golf Centre.

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.

Nick Holmes (England) 01/05/08

I have been playing this course every so often for the last 7 years and I must say I think its cracking little course. Its a lovely well kept course, the closest you'll find to a links course without the trip to the seaside and an excellent test of golf. The club house isn't up to much but I go to play golf not sit in a club house and talk about it. If you are in two minds I can assure you it would be well worth your time and effort to give it a go.

Ratings

Value for Money	8
Challenge	9
Off Course	6

Craig Scott (England) 17/04/08

Arrived and felt a bit dismayed at the "clubhouse". Once we got out on the course, we realised where the money has been put into. I was really impressed with the course. It is a links course and offered a fair challenge. My course management was a disaster, but I look forward to returning, in which I will probably use a 9 iron instead of an 8, etc. Greens were fast. With the wind blowing, there is an even greater challenge. I agree with previous entries, this is a local gem. Even better value for money on a 2 for 1 scheme.

Ratings

Value for Money	10
Challenge	10
Off Course	4

Chris Robinson (England) 18/02/08

Played 17/02/08.

This is the 5th time I've played this course and its slowly becoming my local favourite. The lack of a decent club house and rough gravel car park make the place appear at first glance like a building site when you arrive but therein lies its charm.

Firstly they do a cracking bacon sandwich! Then tucked away over the brow of hill next to Brands Hatch is a real local gem in my view. Shaped like an inland links course with no trees and with holes seemingly cut into and through the 'dunes' makes for a much more interesting course than your average parkland course to be found in the area.

When I first played here I came away thinking it was really tough course and in the summer with long and penal rough down both sides of many holes you have to drive straight to have any chance of scoring well. But thankfully I have that shot in the bag now!

Compared to the clubhouse and parking area the course was in really good condition. I think partly as it drains very well due to its position. Otherwise there's mix of big dog legs, long par 4's, short(but tricky) par 4's, well placed bunkers, raised and undulating greens and a short finishing hole over water.

When we arrived this week it was very hard and frosty so we had to play to temporary green for the first 10 holes but they did offer a 20% discount. Clubhouse is a collection of portacabins but its functional, staff are friendly and its a pretty relaxed atmosphere all round. I'll be going back for more.

Ratings

Value for Money	8
Challenge	7
Off Course	4

RAY WESTWOOD (Wales) 06/10/07

I have just played this course on 5th Oct 2007 and what a gem to find !!!!.The course was in fantastic condition and you have to think about your shots on every hole.A linksie type course

with fast greens adds to this courses intrigue.the driving range was great and pleasing to the eye when practising.The cub house

is practical for its purpose,but not great.You come here to enjoy the challenge of this course.

Well done to Pedham Place Golf Centre,as Arnie often

says I'LL BE BACK.

Ray

Ratings

Value for Money	10
Challenge	8
Off Course	8

Paul Matthews (England) 19/07/07

I have been a member of this course for 2 years and would advise anyone who reads negative comments to try it out.

The rough is long so dont go in it. The problem is that golf is a game where you should be thinking of what shot to hit of the tee and not just getting out driver and finding no trouble with wayward shots. I will gaurantee you now that all the negative feedback is from mindless fools who cant hit straight.

The fairways are a generous size and unlike on most courses you cant overhit your fairway and land on another. If you like to not be punished for bad shots stay away and hold up players on a different course.

The greens are the best around and I play at a lot of private clubs aswell with very limited use.

The clubhouse has not been built yet but the money has been spent making and keeping an excellant course. If you play golf for the clubhouse go elsewere.

I play here three times a week and 2 years on still enjoy every round>

Ratings

Value for Money	10
Challenge	10
Off Course	4

Robert Bird (England) 18/07/07

Played here twice now, and won't be in a hurry to make my third round.

Three of the first four holes have 'blind' elements to them, making it quite difficult to know exactly where you are going.

Around the turn, there is still a lot of construction work going on & the surrounding M25 makes for a noisyish day out.

It's ok, but I won't hurry back

Ratings

Value for Money	6
Challenge	8
Off Course	6

Steve Miller (England) 19/05/07

Fantastic course, in my opinion.

The greens are challenging, in a good way - the course is challenging, in a good way - buy a course guide though which will help you through the dog-legs...

Driving range is really good - best public one in the area, in my opinion.

Never had to pay for the practice putting area - maybe I should have, but certainly would not use it if I did have to pay.

Golf pro is the most helpful chap on the planet - although he can move and talk at 100mph, may need to slow down on the caffeine...

Slightly more expensive that other courses in the area but I think it's worth it.

Club house lets it down - if first impressions last with you - it's basically porter cabins clued together.

However, the club and bar staff are very friendly, the beer's good, the food's good and plentiful and I’ve seen little of this pompous attitude which can be apparent in public golf courses. It's a 'welcome with open arms' and 'what can we do for you, sir?' type place...

This is a course that is local to me, but is certainly not the nearest, by far - however I do choose it over the others and am happy to recommend it.

Ratings

Value for Money	7
Challenge	7
Off Course	9

scott eastley (England) 09/03/07

i have been a member at this course for nearly six years now and the way the course is currently being run i would not advise any one playing for a month or two as the course conditions are terrible as the course has been covered in water and instead of closing the course and giving it time to drain the management are just throwing people out there and ruining the course. unlike other clubs who have closed their courses due to weather.

Ratings

Value for Money	6
Challenge	8
Off Course	6

Henry Shinners (England) 04/12/06

By way of update. We played the course yesterday and it was in good condition. All of the greens were in play and in terrific nick for the time of year. The were a very few soggy patches on the course but otherwise it has held up very well to the recent wet weather. Got chatting to the Course Marshall and he told us that work on a permanent clubhouse is to start early in 2007.

Ratings

Value for Money	5
Challenge	8
Off Course	1

Andrew Brzozowski (England) 06/09/06

I played the course yesterday (Sept 6th) and on reading some of the player's comments I wonder if I played the same course. I really don't know why they call this a links course because it isn't. Just because it has no trees doesn't make it a links course.

The clubhouse / parking area and walk to the 1st tee don't exactly inspire you with confidence but once you get past the 2nd hole it does get a lot better.

The general comment that the greens are really good is something that I would agree with. However, they were also rock hard. I think we spotted 1 pitch mark in 18 holes and that wasn't one of ours. As many of the holes are elevated and heavily protected by bunkers and ridges it became almost impossible to get the ball to stay on the green. Also the elevated greens mean that you have no idea of pin placement on the green. And doing a pitch and run as you would on a links course is just not an option on most holes.

The fairways are generous. However there's not much grass and they are very hard and dry and not that sandy links stuff. The rough is penal. If you're wayward with your shot a lot of the time don't even bother looking. You can miss the green by a few feet and lose your ball without any trouble.

The number of 90 degree dog legs and blind shots started to get annoying. The dog legs also made the course very short. With 5 par 3's and 4 more that require irons off the tee it just doesn't feel like a proper golf course.

This is definitely a course you either like or hate. If you like hitting long balls and pitching into receptive greens this is probably not the course for you and at £20 a round midweek its up against a lot of competition in the area that's better value. I can see why some people might like it but I won't be rushing back in a hurry.

Ratings

Value for Money	3
Challenge	5
Off Course	2

Mark Roberts (England) 22/08/06

What A gem, wonderfully designed holes made you feel as though you had the course to yourself.

The course is in very good condition,excellent and true greens The rough was cut back so could find the ball easily when you went off the generous fairways.

Don't worry about the clubhouse, its the course you come to play.

Ratings

Value for Money	9
Challenge	8
Off Course	3

Nick Wilson (England) 20/06/06

My 1st time on this golf course and what a nice little course this is (If you hit streight off the tee). Would recomend playing with somebody that has been around here before as there are a lot of blind shots. Very testing with the irons and distance isnt a huge advantage.

Ratings

Value for Money	7
Challenge	8
Off Course	5

Lee Dossetter (Scotland) 14/03/06

Off Course.

The clubhouse is ok but has the feel and look of a temporary building and the toilets \ changing rooms are port cabins.

It does contain a small pro shop, bar area and dinning room.

The staff are friendly and welcoming.

Practise area.

Has a large driving range with lots of bays and £1 for 20 balls about what you would expect to pay.

It’s a shame you have to pay to use the putting area.

The Course.

It was great to have a starter. He explained some of the local rules, made sure everybody had a chance on the first tee and explained a bit about the course before we started.

We played in March and about 6 holes were off of mats, which is understandable for the time of the year.

The course it’s self was in very good condition. Excellent fairways and very fast and true greens (too fast on a lot of holes could be murder in the summer).

The rough was cut back so could find the ball easily. They have been known to let it grow in the summer and then any way would shot almost means a lost ball.

As a player with a power fade, this course does not suite my game (to many holes right to left for my liking).

Overall

The course does not suite my game or shot type, so is not among my favourites.

I would say it’s a challenging course that requires good course management and good straight hitting off the tee to score well around it. If you can draw the ball you do have an advantage.

The off course facilities do not match up to the level of the course or the friendliness of the staff.

Ratings

Value for Money	7
Challenge	8
Off Course	4

Henry Shinners (England) 12/02/06

Have to disagree with William Greco's comments - yes, there are 4 holes which are 90-degree dog-legs (all left). This brings a level of course management into play because anyone of reasonable length will not use driver on those holes. On the 2nd (par 5), that makes the green unreachable in two for all but the very longest hitters, who might just manage it with a fairway wood. On the 17th (419 yard par 4), it means you'll have at least a long iron to the green. You can try to cut the corners of course, but you risk a lost ball as they are all blind shots. Yes, the second cut of rough is likely to swallow your ball forever but the fairways are not particularly narrow. We played the course yesterday and the greens were the best we have played on (Austin Lodge and Darenth Valley) so far in 2006. If only they would build a clubhouse...

Ratings

Value for Money	6
Challenge	8
Off Course	1

Henry Shinners (England) 20/06/05

Played the course again at the weekend. Unfortunately, our threeball were playing behind a fourball of chavs who held us up on every hole from the 3rd as they lost more and more ground. When we politely suggested at the 10th they should either let us through or quicken their pace, their response was a mixture of shouting, swearing and threats! We called the clubhouse to complain but they had no course marshall working - despite the fact it was a Saturday. The greens are currently suffering from some sort of fungus which is a shame as the course is otherwise in good nick at the moment.

Ratings

Value for Money	3
Challenge	6
Off Course	0

Alan Gordon (England) 22/03/05

It's a really good course - challenging and with three very difficult holes at 15,16 and 17. They've cut the fairway grass recvently which makes it a lot fairer - I once had a ball literally roll off the end of the green on the 13th and I lost the ball in the rough! Would difinitely recommend. Club house is poor - but then I go to play golf, not sit in a clubhouse! Staff and food are great

Henry Shinners (England) 12/10/04

If you reach the 15th tee a few shots of your handicap, you will do well to keep it that way! This course has one of the toughest finishes around; the 15th is a 413 yard par 4 which turns sharply left at its half way point, the 16th is a 200 yard par 3 with an elevated green, the par 4 17th has a blind tee shot at the start of its 419 yards (and it's stroke index 15, which is just wrong in my view)! The 18th provides some relief (136 yard par 3 over water) but by then your card might well be beyond repair. The current "clubhouse" & facilities are poor but the course is certainly worth trying.

Alan Cox (England) 16/09/04

A links course in Swanley- it could not be true. But it is. I played this course for the first time recently. It is a fine test of golf- if you hit the ball well as a low handicapper you will score well, if you do not, expect a rough ride. Higher handicappers will enjoy it too- there is always a 'safe' route in but it will take a few more than the tiger line. I played the course in a society of 24 players of very mixed ability. Scores were varied, but the result reflected who had played the course within their own individual capability. This will be a great venue, particularly when they have clubhouse facilities to match the course.

It is great that country boys (and girls) do not have to go all the way to the coast to enjoy the closest thing I have seen in over 250 inland courses to a links course. The nine hole par three course is a great way to warm up for the main course.

William Greco (England) 29/06/04

PHEW !!

I've just returned from playing this course today.

My first and only visit. First hole 90 degree dogleg left 338yds SI 10. Second hole 90 degree dogleg left 497yds SI 14. Third hole straight forward Par 3, 164yds SI "2" TWO !! What's all that about? Ariel out of bounds on a few holes. You went out of bounds there, No I never, Yes you did. MONTY PYTHON STUFF. Did you want the 5 minute argument? Very narrow fairways, about 8 foot of semi, many many blind shots, THREE FOOT ROUGH. Mucho trouble! Have they set the course up for The Open ?

If all courses were like this I would never have bought clubs....and neither would 90% of the playing public. This course needs a rethink.

Make it a par 69/70 and stop hiding pins around corners to make a par 5 where you do not have room for one. The layout really is naff as it sits.

Sean Price (England) 26/05/04

Very nice course, good value too, good length and a very good challenge. Maybe a few more hazards on the par 3's are needed, but thats my only gripe, which isn't much! I have been a few times now and its very enjoyable. You can book your tee time too, however the weekend prices are a bit high for a pay and play.....but worth a visit anytime!

Paul Davis (England) 05/04/04

I play this course every week and since the winter it has got better and better. They've added, and are adding, more bunkers to the course to make the greens harder to hit. I played there Fri. 2/4/04 and the greens were immaculate running quite fast. Each with it's own fringe. I really like this course and it is well worth a visit.

Henry Shinners (England) 15/10/03

A real hidden gem. Reminiscent of some of the Scottish & Irish links courses I've played. And the managers of the course seem to have recognised the things that irritate golfers and resolved to do something about them - like very clear (even from the tees) markers at 100, 150 and 200 yards, signs directing you to the next tee, 10 minute tee slots etc. The absence of a course planner is annoying but the fact that you can see the yardage markers from the tee and there is a small map on the card means this is a picky point. We're going back again this weekend - if you live in Kent and like links golf, you must play this.

mark (england) 30/05/03

having played this course twice in a week its amazing what difference a day makes,the 16th 200 yard par 3 was a six iron one day and a 3 wood that came up short the next.the greens were exellent ,the rough punished the wayward tee shot.the front nine seems the easist as the back nine needs better acuracy of the tees.well worth a visit.

David Woodford (UK) 23/01/03

I didn't think I'd enjoy links golf but Pedham Place changed my mind. With the occasional view of Canary Wharf in the distance, this is a genuine intimate feeling links course within spitting distance of the M25. The wind really comes into play here, with some holes playing easy and calm protected by the banking, you turn the corner and suddenly a fan is in your face and the ball seems to travel 50 yards with a 7 iron.

The greens were good and the gameplay engaging. Some of the bunkers were 4 steps deep to get into. I made my own day by mearly getting a ball out of one pot bunker first go.. If you're someone who gets board of wide open fairways in parkland laid out side by side - back and forth - you'll love this.

The down side is that the clubhouse/proshop are nothing but portacabins and its not exactly scenic, being built on a former dump or some such wasteland sandwiched between the M20 and M25. They're building a second 18 holer and with the reasonably priced membership it is worth a look if you live in London.

Sean (England) 22/08/02

Superb course and well worth the green fees. Have played the course in wind, fog and sunny weather which makes the course different each time. Greens are in excellent condition but the rough is terrible, also advisable to check your lie by pushing a tee into the ground just benhind the ball as there are a lot of stones and slate just under the surface that can damage your club. Advisable to play with someone who has been round the course before as the 1st and 2nd are 90 degree dog legs.

Played on Sunday and the new greens were in play on the 5th, 12th and 15th which has lengthened the course.

Well worth a visit as it is a damn sight cheaper than shelling out for a visit to Scotland but still get the links feel.

Darren (UK) 04/08/02

Superbly kept Links style course. Greens and fairways are excellent, although the rough is very rough!! A lot of blind tee shots on the front nine. Fairly cheap (£16 Midweek) and friendly staff.

Robert Slamon (England) 01/08/02

I have played this course for two Saturdays running. As luck would have it, the weather was exceptional on both occasions. And lucky it was too, as I can imagine that this course would be very tough to play if the wind picked up.

The fairways are good, the rough is very intimidating but the greens are first class. You have to think your way around the course and around the greens. For a course with as many doglegs as this, I think a stroke-saver is a must, however none are available as of yet. Having played the course once, I managed to knock 14 strokes off my score second time around just by knowing what was around the corner! Had a great time, very enjoyable course and the staff were friendly and helpful. It will be even better when they build a proper clubhouse.

Robert - 1-8-2002