Hever Castle Golf Club – Championship Course

Nestling in the River Eden valley, below the hills straddling the counties of Kent, Surrey and Sussex, the 18-hole Kings and Queens Golf Course, which opened in June 1992, plays host to the Kent PGA Championship.

It measures 7002 yards (6328 metres) at its full length, par being 72 (SS74), with a course record of 68. Few clubs can boast such an array of stunning holes which will test the most accomplished golfer and inspire the less experienced. The 2nd overlooks historic Hever Castle and the water holes, the 5th, 6th, 11th, 12th and 13th, are real feature holes.

However, the hole that most golfers talk about is the 17th which, at 644 yards off the championship tee, is one of the longest holes in Europe.

• Course has: Bar
• Course has: Buggy Hire
• Course has: Driving Range
• Course does not have: Practice Green
• Course has: Pro Shop
• Course has: Restaurant
• Course has: Trolley Hire
• Course has: Dress Code
• Course has: Club Hire
• Course does not have: Handicap

• 4.5 out of 5 I'll be back 07 August 2007

  By ian15

  one that our regular fourball wanted to try and it didn't let us down. An ordinary start, some teasing but gorgeous par 3's and then the back 9 starts to bite! Just when the course has taken back all it gave on the front 9 you come to the 17th with just 617 doglegged uphill yards to go. It's a great test for all. I loved it so much on Monday that I'm taking someone else back on Wednesday.Use 2 fore 1 to make it great value at £25 in the summer.

• 3 out of 5 Close but no cigar 26 March 2007

  By Anonymous

  Hever has all the ingredients of being really special - great setting, lovely clubhouse, good facilities – without quite fulfilling its potential. The off-course amenities are as good as anything around, while the staff we encountered were all friendly and helpful. Where Hever suffers - and ultimately where all Golf Clubs are judged – is out on the course. While it was in a good condition for the time of year the greens were of inconsistent pace and too many of the holes were a bit on the bland side. That’s not to say the course is boring, there are some very good holes – 5, 6 and 11-13 all stick out – but there were too many “filler” holes in between to make it really memorable. All things considered, Hever is good because any golf is good golf, but £37 is a bit steep for a Visitor’s winter weekend green fee. Presumably the cost will rise further in summer time, so my recommendation would be to give the course a try if you have the opportunity, but make sure you take advantage of one of the voucher schemes, like 2-fore-1.

• 2.5 out of 5 Sunny Spring Round 17 March 2007

  By Anonymous

  The course was in excellent condition considering the time of year and the course is built on clay. Had had no rain for over a week though and there had been a strong drying wind for a few days. The course just lacks a little in character and is quite open. The greens were quite hard to hold and the hole didn't seem to swallow many putts (may have been one of those days!). For the green fee of £16 though it is value for money. Although i wouldn't be paying the £60 i think it was during last summer. Took over 4 1/2 hours for a two ball to get round though which was not that great. Had about six four-balls in front of us. As for the 17th, its just too long. 618yds of the yellows! Just looks to me like they're just trying to use lengh as a way of having a signature hole. If my memory serves me right to, three of the four par fives are up hill. Still give it a try and find out for yourself.

• 4.5 out of 5 Hever Castle Golf Day with work. 09 February 2007

  By Anonymous

  A lovely picturesque course in the Garden of England. Manicured fairways and greens made this day a hit with the whole party (10 players). Some tight fairways and some interesting Pin positions made it a good test too. I don't play quality courses like this very often but as this was my 2nd visit,it Won't be my last. The 17th is unbelievably long (627yds from the white tees) but i still managed to par it on both visits. I will definitely play this again this summer.Loved it.