London Golf Club (International)

The International Course is one of two fine golfing layouts at the London Golf Club, both of which were designed by Jack Nicklaus.

Only opened in 1994, the course has since played host to the Staysure Seniors PGA Championship and the Volvo World Match Play.

With plenty of water and bunkers galore, it is similar to the Heritage Course, the other layout at the London Golf Club.

Visit the London Golf Club’s website here. 

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The London Golf Club officially opened its doors in 1994, with Jack Nicklaus designing both the Heritage and International Courses at the 36-hole venue.

The club opened with a match featuring three greats of the game, with Tony Jacklin and Seve Ballesteros playing against Nicklaus himself in a Charity Skins Match.

The International Course was the host of the Staysure PGA Seniors Championship on the European Legends Tour in both 2018 and 2019, with Philip Golding and Philip Price the men to be victorious. The Volvo World Match Play and Regional Open Qualifying have also been held on the International in recent years.

The International may well be seen as the second course at the London Golf Club behind the Heritage, but if it is, then it might well be one of the strongest ‘second courses’ in the world. It has a downland feel in character and Nicklaus’ design team has incorporated risk-and-reward tee shots over water. Playing as much as 7,050 yards from the tips, and still almost 6,600 yards from the Whites, and with plenty of water and sand to catch your eye.

As early as the approach to the 1st hole, whether it is your second or third shot, the International will grab your attention. The opening hole is a long par 5, just shy of 550 yards from the Whites, with the approach being played over water. Sand is the danger on 2, with three large bunkers in the landing zone for your tee shot. It is only 350 yards in length, so if you can avoid those bunkers, then this is a scoring opportunity. The 3rd offers up a wide fairway, but it is 430 yards from the Whites. There is just one fairway bunker, but that is on the outside corner of the dog-leg right. Another two traps sit in front of the green, with a solitary tree on the left front corner of the putting surface.

The 4th is the first of a stunning quintet of par 3s. At just shy of 200 yards, it requires at least a long iron, played to a shallow green protected by three bunkers. The other par 3 on the front nine comes at the 8th, with an approach completely over water. That makes it all carry, of at least 175 yards to what is a shallow putting surface.

The 5th is a 380-yard par 4, and one that could be seen as a birdie opportunity for most. Clearing the two fairway bunkers is the key, and if that can be done, then the green is free to attack. Off the Whites, the 6th is the longest hole on the course. The small fairway bunker on the left is easily avoided, but the large, horseshoe-shaped bunker down the left side, which comes into play about 150 yards from the green, can easily be founded on your lay up. The green has another horseshoe bunkers, running from the front left all the way around to the back of the surface. A par is a great score on the 6th. It is followed by a short but tricky par 4. The 7th is only 345 yards, but with three bunkers on the left side of the fairway, the landing area is quite narrow. The green has a bunker both front and back, with a diagonally angled putting surface.

The 9th is the longest of the par 4s on the International Course, coming in at a strong 440 yards from the Whites. Aim out to the right of the fairway, due to the large fairway bunker sitting on the left side. Another bunker sits to the right of the green, but there is some space to the left of the putting surface as a bail out. The back nine begins with a proper birdie chance. At just 355 yards, and with a wide fairway, this is a green light for the driver. Three traps sit in front of the green, but it should be nothing more than a wedge to attack the flag (as long as you’ve struck your tee shot well). 11 is the first of three par 5s on the back nine, with a tee shot that must avoid the four bunkers down its left side. For those trying to reach the green in two, the 11th will require two well-struck shots. The green only has one bunker, and that is behind the surface, so there is the chance of running your approach on to the green.

On the back nine, the par 3s come at 12, 14 and 17. The 12th, like 8, is also over water, leaving very little room for error. The 14th has a narrow green, with a bunker on either side of the putting surface, while the penultimate hole is the last of the par 3s on the International, and it is the longest of the 3s. It is 207 yards from the Whites, and played to a green guarded by two bunkers sitting in front of the putting surface.

13 is a par 5 that seems to just keep turning round to the left. The drive has to be to the right of the large bunker that occupies the left side of the fairway. From there, a decision must be made. Will you go for the small green with your second shot, knowing that there is water to its left? Or will you continue down the right side, lay up and then knock a wedge on, playing up the line of the green. The 15th is another short par 4, and a good chance of making birdie once again. It is 340 yards, and if you can find the fairway, avoiding the four fairway bunkers, you’re in good position. The green is shallow and wide, so club selection is crucial.

16 plays slightly longer than the 15th, but there is more space off the tee. There are just two small bunkers down the left side of the short grass, on a hole that moves slightly from left to right. Three more traps sit to the right of the putting surface, one that is long and narrow. The closing hole on the International Course is another par 5, and at just 510 yards, there is a chance of finishing with a flourish. Two large bunkers, one on either side, make the fairway seem narrower than it actually is off the tee, while most will then lay up short of the next set of bunkers which are just shy of the green. The putting surface itself is long and narrow, so make sure to be accurate, whether it is your second or third shot.

Where is the London Golf Club located?

The London Golf Club is located to the southeast of the English capital, next to the village of West Kingsdown. Both the M20 and the A20 run next to the club, with the latter running along the southern boundary, where the Heritage Course lies. The M25 – London's motorway ring road – is just a few miles to the west, providing great road links to the golf club.

Eynsford is the closest train station to the London Golf Club, with services running between Welwyn Garden City and Sevenoaks, stopping at Eynsford every hour. London Gatwick Airport is just 35 miles to the west of the London Golf Club, with London Stansted and London Heathrow – the latter being the country’s busiest airport – both being within 60 miles of the venue.

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

The International Course at the London Golf Club is close to several layouts on the NCG Top 100s: England, including the Heritage Course at the same venue. Tandridge, Knole Park and The Addington are all within a short drive to the west, with Royal Wimbledon and both the Old and New Courses at Walton Heath slightly further afield.

What golf facilities does the London Golf Club offer?

Along with the Heritage and the International Courses, the London Golf Club also is the home to a state-of-the-art practice area, which includes a 330-yard driving range, which has both grass and matted tees. There are also a pair of practice chipping greens, including practice bunkers, along with a putting green.

What are the green fees at the London Golf Club?

The price of a green fee at the London 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 the London Golf Club, visit their website here.