Woodlands Manor Golf Club

This course is ok. Greens need some work but then i'm told they don't use temporarys. Buggies only front 9 due to steep 10th hole uphill and 18th down. The clubhouse is having refurbishment but they do still offer cooked food and bar refreshments. Staff are extremely welcoming and helpful. I would come back during warmer weather.

Well worth the green fee!

Woodland manor is a nice course and to be fair we probably didn't get to play it at its best. The layout is good and challenging with some long par 4's.The greens today were very poor and super slow, I think they had been cored a couple of weeks ago and have been left to grow over which resulted in all the greens being long and fluffy. I would like to play the course again just to see how good the greens might be, at £37 for today it was overpriced. Interestingly enough the course was empty on a warm sunny Saturday afternoon ??
Club house was very poor with very little choice plus the kitchen shut at 4pm ? missed opportunities to encourage people to come back.

Woodlands Manor will remain on my list of re-visit sooner than later for many reasons.

First, the beauty & serenity of the area,: mature parkland course in a valley of the North Downs, with a variety of holes, not a long course but with 2 very memorable Par 3 (the 10th & 18th). Created in the 1928/1929, designed by J H Taylor, the course is build on chalk so very good drainage, winter play without temporary tees. The course was cultivated during the 2nd WW, but re-opened in 1968. The present owner, Ken Thornton, will give you a warm welcome & proudly tell you more about its history.

The fairways are fairly wide but lots of beautiful matured trees come into play, the slopes, left or right depending which side of the valley you are playing, blind corners make an interesting challenge. Water hazards come into play on a few holes, some ponds with yellow iris & large reservoirs that look like ponds. The rough is tall and I imagine wildlife flourishes.

The greens are well kept (I would say nearly immaculate), may be a little slow today, with subtle ondulations. Some can be tricky and playing the course a 2nd or third time might be to your advantage.

Some bunkers had grass growing (that is being worked on as there is now a new greenkeeper) but you will find lovely sand, had you landed in those traps.

The 2nd reason I like this course: the unforgettable uphill 10th Par 3 (Eiger), with an a vertical climb to this very elevated green. Today was a special Charity Day, we had tea & home baked cakes (by Mary) waiting at the half way hut, giving us a chance to get refreshed and admire the stunning views.

I shall mention the equally stunning finishing hole, downhill, 18th Par 3 (Road), wonderful views and having to guess what club to use to reach the green in one, going over a rough area and a road with "speeding traffic"...

The 3rd reason I would like to return is the friendliness of the members, the staff.

The Clubhouse is fairly big, light, food on offer is varied, very reasonably priced. Large terrace (with brand new furniture) overlooking the wonderful practice area: sand bunker/chipping/pitching, a 1st class green and a huge open driving range.

The Ladies changing rooms are fairly spacious and light & offered lockers and all you need to make yourself beautiful after a challenging game of golf.

The Pro shop is friendly and well equipped, but no course planner available. Shame, because I like a guide as I go round a new course as I do not possess an Android or similar.

Today, we had to dress for Dinner (scrumptious buffet + dessert + coffee) which was followed by live musical entertainment provided by the Kent Chamber Choir on its Celebration Golf Day. Our well famous TSGer, Trevor Sanford (who raised money for GAC in August 2011, golfing 31 continuous days around the M25), was the Organiser of today's game & entertainment which were a great success. Thank you.

Parking is very adequate, one side for Members, the other for Visitors.

The country lane leading to Woodland Manor Golf Club is very narrow, very picturesque, you would think you are driving through a small forest, so be vary as you might meet a huge tractor as I did on my way there, but there are many passing places when coming from the Ortford side.

I have been invited to return to Woodlands Manor's Ladies Guest Day in August , I shall gladly accept & look forward to the chance to play the course a 2nd time & better my score.

I also gave a TSG flyer to someone who seemed very interested. Time will tell.

Will post some photos (lots of catching up to do: Florida's, France's and all my recent visits to various English golf courses... don't know when I shall find the time.

I think that is.....


THE END

This course is hidden away and provides a fantastic setting. It's a peaceful place that should suit a scratch player and those with a high handicap. Some of the holes are very challenging, particularly the S.I.1 3rd hole which is a par 4 but could arguably be a par 5. The 7h, 10th and 18th are special as some of the reviews here point out.

It's very reasonably priced, I played the front nine, twilight the other evening for just £9 ! The only downside is that you can't take buggies out after 4pm and the first time you play there will be tough, you really need course knowledge to score low.

Very good course. The fairways were a bit sparse but overall,greens were in good condition. I would play again.

Played here as a guest of someone so don't know the cost.
Practice facilities very good (grass driving range and short game practice area), clubhouse okay and people very friendly.
Course relatively short (6040 off the whites) but is well laid out, with good variety of holes and very well maintained (greens are very fast).
The front nine run along the valley (some good holes) and then the 10th is a 151 yard par three which plays like a 200 yard because it's straight up hill! Then the rest of the course is played along and across the top of the hill with great views. Then the 18th is a 210 yard par three which plays like a 140 yard par 3 because it's back down the hill to the clubhouse!
Well worth a visit.

Course has gone through a few changes and is in very good condition - Is famous for it's sinature hole the Eiger - but personnaly I love the views from the 11th tee and the 18th.
The people and pro extremly friendly.
Kevin