Finding it hard to decide on a venue for an away-day or weekend with the girls? Or do you fancy entering an Open competition at a different venue?
Finding it hard to decide on a venue for an away-day or weekend with the girls? Or do you fancy entering an Open competition at a different venue? Women & Golf gives you some options to help you to decide.
Set in 200 acres of gently undulating countryside and located in the picturesque village of Biddenden in Kent, the Garden of England, is Chart Hills Golf Club, a magnificent award-winning parkland course designed in 1993 by Sir Nick Faldo. The 5,503 yard par-72 course was Sir Nick Faldo’s first design project in Europe, and he took inspiration from some of his favourite holes around the world during the planning phase to ensure each hole offers players of all abilities the chance to experience a testing yet enjoyable course full of interesting features. The most noticeable feature is the amount of bunkers. Boy, are there bunkers - they’re everywhere!
You can’t fail to miss the 200-yard ‘Anaconda’ bunker on the par-5 5th hole - it’s the longest in Europe and winds its way down the side and across the fairway - and the view of the bunkers from the 9th tee up towards the clubhouse is really quite something. The course, with its stunning views of oak woodlands and lakes surrounded by fields of grazing sheep, has immaculately kept fairways, undulating but true greens and, combined with some tricky doglegs and criss-crossing brooks, is ideal for groups looking for a real test of golf. And don’t underestimate the very attractive par-3 17th Island Green which can easily ruin a good round.
The course is walkable but be sure to book your buggy if you’re not prepared for a long walk. The large and modern clubhouse and very helpful and friendly staff, provides good facilities for your pre and post round dining requirements and spacious, well equipped locker room can easily accommodate larger groups. Chart Hills also offers good practice facilities, but the small pro shop was a little disappointing, only having a few basic items for women golfers on show. The course is walkable but be sure to book your buggy if you’re not prepared for a long walk.
For groups wishing to stay overnight there are plenty of charming, small hotels, B&Bs and pubs on offer in the surrounding area. And if you want to try something completely different while you’re in Kent, check out Headcorn Aerodrome for a skydiving experience or one of the local vineyards - Chapel Down, Biddenden or Hush Heath Winery for some wine tasting - now you’re talking! Located just one hour from London and only 40 mins from junction 8 off the M20, if you’re looking for somewhere different to bring your golfing friends, Chart Hills is definitely worth a visit.
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