High Elms Country Park goes back to the famous 1066 era. Yes I played golf on my Norman ancestors' Estate.
Over the years farmland, farmhouses occupied this lovely part of Kent. Three centuries ago the Lubbock family acquired some of the land, set up residence, built a large Country House (not present anymore, unfortunately). Chales Darwin lived in the neighbourhood & soon became friend with the Lubbock, hence this is why you will see so many beautiful specimen trees in the Country Park & the golf course with lovley views of the North Downs, so walkers & golfers alike will enjoy the scenery.
A perfect setting for a golf course, now Council owned & run, not overly long but with sloping fairways, challenging dog legs and not so easy Par 3s. I cannot remember any water hazards apart from some paddles & a little rain at the end of our round on this dull January 31st.
High Elms golf course that has always been very popular. Before the Club was founded in 1969, golfers used to queue from midnight to get a game at the week-end !!!!! (A bit like the Harrods sale or Tennis @ Wimbledon). High Elms is part of "mytimegolf.co.uk", so I assume members have a favourable rate the the other 19 courses spread from Kent to Birmingham & Midddlesex too.
Temporary Teeing matts were in use but NO temp greens,(a little spongy today). This is the only course I know that produces a "winter scoring card", all tees (white/yellow/red) start on the same matt (new & nicely anchored/bordered by oak sleepers). The Red Tees have different stroke indexes though, making it a Par 73 SSS 71, quite different from the Yellow/White which is only Par 69 SSS 67 !!!!!!!
Favourite holes:
13th hole, the toughest Par 3 in Kent apparently, over 200 yards in Summer play. Out of bounds on the left & the right, sloping fairway left to right, uphill green protected by 3 huge/deep bunkers on the right. Well 2 of us managed a Par on this one, I have to mention Michael H. fantastic bunker shot which landed a few feet from the pin, and my Par not so spectacular but it was a 3.... So very pleased with that.
14th hole, Par 4, big dog leg, left to right with a guiding post uphill , but longer and knowledgeable hitter can cut the corner. Approach shot is to a downhill green, 2 bunkers on either sides. This is the hole with wonderful view across High Elms, where one can see walkers, even on a rainy day. Worth mentioning also, is the unique & very original warning bell: an old gas cylinder painted green, it produces the loudest sound I have ever hear. I think our fellow TSGer Andy S. got a little deafened. See photo on my Album.
Ok, just one more hole, the 18th, another 4/5 Par,, uphill all the way, OBB on the left, so a good tee shot is vital, the approach to the green will play longer as uphill, bunkers either side.
Proshop: friendly welcome, large & well stocked.
Smiley staff in the Clubhouse/coffee bar, situated on the 1st loor with lovely view of the 1st sloping fairway, a small balcony offering pleasant seating but not for today. Breakfast was excellent & reasonably priced (Mr Howard D., from Essex, would be a happy man). So well worth to arrive early to savour the Chef's offerings.
Large Car Park for golfers, walkers, Country Park users. Lovely specimen tree right in the middle of the car park. Will have to check out its name.
Nets & practice putting green. A 5-hole short course too, but did not see it.
Very good deals via the Internet booking, we paid £11.11 (thank you Kevin G. for organising this 2 4-balls).
Will return t see this lovely part of Kent, but will wait for Spring or Summer for more colours...
THE END........
There is a lot more to the history, but this is a golf review, so I have to restrain myself.
Date Thursday, 06, February 2014
