Faversham Golf Club

Mature parkland course, with a great variety of holes. Nice track, very good place to enjoy the game. Yes winter rules have kicked in but you would not know as it was pretty firm. If I lived closer I would join, not too long, so probably very popular with many.

Faversham GC is a par 70 parkland style course located in Belmont Park, a few miles outside Faversham, Kent.

Access to the course is via a couple of narrow largely single track lanes with limited passing lay-by's. Be ready for a possible standoff or two!

The club was founded in 1902 as a 9 holer, and was relocated to its present location in 1911. The course was extended to 18 holes in the 1920s.

The course comprises 4 par 3s, 12 par 4s and 2 par 5s.

The course is a real challenge to the club golfer. There are tricky slopes, large undulating greens, blind approaches, well placed fairway bunkers, and green-side bunkers, including several greens totally surrounded by bunkers. Whilst the course was generally in very good condition given the hot summer and recent rains; unfortunately the greens are not at their best not having recovered from recent spiking/sanding.

The par 4 6th (Punchbowl) and par 3 16th (Porter's Folly) were particularly tricky blind/semi blind approaches to relatively small greens.

The clubhouse is relatively modern being built in 1997. The clubhouse was opened by their club member and Tour Professional, Roger Chapman; of US Seniors Open fame. Former Curtis Cup player Micky Walker, is also associated with the club.

I wouldn't describe this as a 'hidden gem' course but nevertheless it is a little out of the way vis a vis South West London, but it is a a course I feel fellow TSGers would not be disappointed with!

There is a lovely 'half way' house adjacent to the 7th tees and 12th green.

Visitor green fees are £ 38 or £30 with a County Card. Weekday/weekend member guest rates are £25/£29 respectively.

I had the honour to represent Cherry Lodge GC Vet's in the Kent Vet's League Club Pairs betterball competition with Dennis Shipp (9 handicapper). We scored 39 points. The winning score was 42 points, achieved by the Faversham GC 'home' pair on countback. Local knowledge obviously helps! Only 7 of the 48 club pairs scored better than Dennis and I.

This was a truly vfm game as the competition entry fee of £20 per player, for the pre-match coffee/bacon bap, 18 holes and two course meal, is refundable by our CLGC Vet's!

Apart from the condition of the greens, the unavailability of a course planner/shotsaver was a big disappointment, which was compounded by the absence 'hole diagrams' on any of the tee boxes.