Canterbury

Canterbury Golf Club is one of the finest courses in the south east of England, and a great inland course designed by Harry Colt.

One of the greats, Colt designed the 18-hole layout at Canterbury, with the club and course opening in 1927.

A woodland setting offers some gorgeous holes that lie in front of you, and although there are scoring chances, there also holes that can bite back at you.

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Golf in Canterbury dates back to the late 19th Century, but it was in 1927 when the club officially opened in its current location.

The legendary Harry Colt, arguably the greatest golf course architect in history, was the man behind the design of the golf course at Canterbury.

There have been plenty of improvements in recent years, with the club purchasing land that was part of the former Howe Barracks.

Nestled in a delightful woodland setting, Canterbury is a hidden inland gem in the southeast corner of England. Set in glorious English countryside of attractive parkland and woods, the course is every bit as challenging as the great designer intended., and it is considered to be one of the best inland courses in the region. Although just shy of 6,300 yards, there is still plenty of challenge throughout a round at Canterbury.

It is a pretty gentle start to your round at Canterbury, with a par 5 of only 470 yards kicking things off. However, the drive is played over the brow of a hill, and the line is down the right side of the fairway. Don’t push it too far right, though, as you’ll find the trees. The first par 3 comes at the 2nd, and you play across a valley to a green 165 yards away. Anything short will run back down the slope, while there are three bunkers around the putting surface. Like the opener, the 3rd is also a semi-blind tee shot, but 3 is one that slightly bends to the right. Two fairway bunkers and two greenside bunkers, along with the tree-lined fairways, mark the danger on the 3rd.

The 4th is the hardest hole on the front side at Canterbury, and it is a strong dog-leg right. Although only 376 yards from the tips, the tee shot must get to the corner so you have a view of the green. A copse of trees to the right of the green makes things slightly more difficult. The second of the par 3s comes at the 5th, a 180-yard hole that shouldn’t present too many challenges. 6 is another good scoring opportunity, providing you can find the left side of the fairway. The green is slightly below the level of the fairway, and anything 20 yards short will skip down towards the putting surface.

At 540 yards, the 7th is a solid par 5, and one that will require three shots for most players. The green is large, so make sure you find the right portion with your approach. The 8th is the shortest of the par 3s, at just 140 yards. The green is some 30 yards long, and with three bunkers short of the surface. The final hole on the front nine at Canterbury is the third par 5 of the course. At just shy of 500 yards, this might well be one where you can get home in two, especially with a generous fairway in view off the tee.

The longest par 4 on the course kicks off the back nine, with the 10th measuring in at more than 450 yards. There is a ditch in play for the bombers, especially as the fairway slopes slightly downhill towards it. A long and narrow green has no real protection, for which you are grateful if you’re coming in with a long iron or hybrid. The par 3 11th is one of the most picturesque holes on the property, but it plays significantly uphill, so make sure to take at least one extra club. The Stroke Index 1 then follows at 12. It is only 365 yards, but with a fairway that slopes from right to left, towards a ditch that runs down the left side of the hole, and then a green that has a bunker to its right, there is plenty to watch out for.

One of the best views comes at the 13th tee, which is elevated above the rest of the hole. The hole lies in front of you, with a generous fairway. Two greenside bunkers await anything mishit on the approach. The 14th plays more than its carded 320 yards thanks to playing uphill, but it is still a good birdie chance if you can get a solid drive away. 15 is difficult, playing as a dog-leg right but with a fairway that slopes from right to left. If you can avoid the two fairway bunkers on the left side, then you are in good shape to attack the green. 16 has a narrow fairway, and a long and narrow green, one guarded by a sand trap on either side of it.

The 17th is the longest par 3 on the property, pushing towards the 200-yard mark. The green is slightly elevated, and there is a drop off on both sides, with the drop on the right side being right next to the green. The closing hole at Canterbury is a great par 5. At 490 yards, it is one where some might fancy their chances of reaching in two and to give themselves a birdie (or even eagle) chance! For those laying up, aim for the left side of the fairway as two copses of trees cut into the short grass down the right side. The green is guarded by three bunkers, and this is a great finishing hole.

Where is Canterbury Golf Club located?

Canterbury Golf Club is situated in the southeast corner of England, in the county of Kent. It is just outside the city of Canterbury, to the east, with the course sitting just off the A257. The A2 and A28 also run close by the venue, while the centre of England's capital city is 60 miles to the northwest of the golf club.

Canterbury East – one of two train stations in the city – is the closest train station to the golf club, with trains running between Dover Priory and Faversham. Canterbury West, on the other side of the city, sees trains operating between Ramsgate, Tonbridge and Margate. London Gatwick is the nearest major international airport to Canterbury, with the country’s second busiest airport sitting 60 miles to the west, south of London. London City Airport is around the same, while London Heathrow and London Stansted are also within 85 miles.

Are there any NCG Top 100s: England venues nearby?

There are a trio of venues close to Canterbury, with those being the Open Championship trio of Kent – Royal St George’s, Prince’s and Royal Cinque Ports. Chart Hills and Rye are both also within an hour’s drive from Canterbury.

What golf facilities does Canterbury Golf Club offer?

Along with the high-quality golf course, there is also a wonderful driving range for members and guests to enjoy before a round. There is TopTracer technology in the range, which is covered to allow practice in inclement conditions. There is also a short game area and a putting green for those final touches.

What are the green fees at Canterbury Golf Club?

The price of a green fee at Canterbury Golf Club changes throughout the year, depending on the season. It is also different depending on whether it is a weekday or weekend.

For more information on current green fees at Canterbury, visit their website here.