Rochester & Cobham Park Golf Club

Rochester & Cobham is a semi-parkland style course at Cobham Hall, Kent.

The course originated in 1891 as a 9 holer, and over time evolved into an 18 holer in 1920. Changes to the course were required in the 1990s to accommodate Channel Tunnel Rail route works. The modified course/clubhouse opened in 1997.

The original 18 holes were designed by Messrs Colt, Mackenzie and Captain Allison. The modern changes were by Donald Steel, of St. Andrews fame! The modern changes included 7 completely new holes and 18 new greens.

The course is par 71, 6,597/6,257 yards off the white/yellow tees respectively. The SSS of the whites is 73 and 71 off the yellows. Suggesting a difficulat course!

There are 4 par 3s, 11 par 4s and 3 par 5s.

The fairways for the par 4s/par 5s are generally wide. The real, dangers on this course are the difficult approaches into raised greens that are surrounded by deep bunkers.

*****

The general layout of the course is reminiscent of wide open spaces such as Farleigh GC, or South Winchester, ie there is no protection in windy conditions.

*****

Winter visitor green fee rates are £40 midweek and £70 on weekends. Highly overpriced! Their County Card rate is £35.

I/we played the course on a £35 society rate including a full english breakfast. Reasonable! The only thing which let us down was the weather on the day. We started in light rain and moderate windy conditions and conditions worsened into very strong winds/rain for the back 9.

I look forward to an opportunity to play the course again in fairer weather conditions but only if a reasonable deal was available. It's a course I'd love to play again but not at any inflated price!

*****

Notwithstanding the weather, a real disappointment for me was the absence of a course planner. A factor compounded by the absence of 'hole diagrams' on the tee boxes; and some inadequate next hole on course signage. It's as though first time visitors to the course are either not expected often or are not really very welcome!

*****

There is a moderately sized pro-shop with a very welcoming Head Pro!

Once I found it (it's a little tricky working out where to get off the A2 and how to get to the club entrance) it was all great - pro shop well stocked, practice area pretty good, course very pretty, great variety of holes and excellently maintained and clubhouse friendly and got everything you want.

If I had one complaint I'd prefer it was £25 a round rather than £37 but I guess you pay for what you get.

All in all I'd recommend the course to anyone and I'll definitely be going back.