North Foreland

Lord Avebury and William Capel Slaughter founded North Foreland Golf Club in 1903. After just a few years, it became an 18-hole track before turning to Alfred Charles William Harmsworth. Harmsworth, later Lord Northcliffe, purchased the tower and convent fields in 1918 from people connected to the Slaughter estate to own the whole golf course.

He wanted to make the course challenging to attract holiday visitors. Alongside the old 12th hole, now the 18th, an 18-hole putting course was built which was the first of its kind in England.

Abe Mitchell was appointed as the club’s head professional from 1920 to 1925. Mitchell was regarded as “the greatest striker of a ball in his era.” won the British Match Play Championship in 1919, 1920, and 1929. He might be remembered as “the greatest player never to win The Open Championship,” but his figure is held aloft on top of the golden Ryder Cup trophy.

North Foreland is situated on the Ken coastline, right at the point where the English Channel merges into the North Sea. This clifftop-downland course offers a view of the sea from every tee and every green. North Foreland is a free running chalk-based course, and while the broad fairways instil a sense of relaxation and confidence off the tee, you must not be fooled as strategically placed bunkers lie in wait. The Main Course plays at just over 6,400 yards off the tips, with many a long par 4 to deal with on your way round.

There is the chance to be 3-under through three holes at North Foreland, with a generous start to get you on your way. The first three holes to open the front nine go up and down a hill, with the 1st measuring 334 yards from the Whites. A bunker on either side of the fairway, along with trees down the left side, are the danger off the tee. From there, it should be no more than a low iron to find the putting surface. The 2nd is a great risk and reward hole at just 274 yards. Playing slightly downhill, do you try and find the green with your driver, or lay up to the right distance to knock a wedge on? The 3rd is the first of three par 5s at North Foreland. At 486 yards, it is not too long either. Keep your tee shot left of the trees and you have a great chance of making birdie, whether you go for it in two, or lay back with your second.

The 4th hole – Tongue Light – takes you to the furthest and most beautiful corner of the golf course, where you feel closer to the cliff edge than ever. Another par 5, this time only 465 yards, it adds to the generous start. However, strategically placed bunkers and a mound down the right side all need to be avoided. A single bunker sits to the left of the green. The quartet of short holes begin at 5. 140 yards from the tips, two large bunkers protect the front edge of the surface, which is long and narrow. The other par 3 on the front side comes just two holes later at the 7th, where it almost feels like you are going to hit your tee shot into the sea. Slightly longer, at 160 yards, but playing downhill, be careful not to over-club. In between sits the short par 4 6th, another good birdie chance. 326 yards, and with a castle-like structure at your back as you tee off, a generous fairway must be found. A fairway bunker on either side could cause an issue, but as long as you find the short grass, then you will have a shot at the green.

It is around the turn where the Main Course at North Foreland starts to bite back. Between 8 and 13, there are five par 4s measuring more than 400 yards in length. That tricky run begins with the 464-yard 8th. Off the tee, the ideal shot is a baby draw to find the fairway, and even if you find your longest drive of the day, you might still be left with a hybrid or fairway wood to try and find the green. For those laying up with their second, the two bunkers on the right side are a good aiming point. 9 plays as a dog-leg right in the opposite direction, with the longer hitters aiming over the two bunkers on the inside corner. From there, it will still be a lengthy approach, to a green protected by another large trap.

The back nine begins with the 412-yard 10th – with a fairway that slopes from left to right, so aim your drive down the left side. The green is arguably the trickiest on the course as well, so make sure you find the right section. The only respite in this run comes at 11, a 140-yard par 3. It plays slightly downhill, but three large bunkers protect the green. Anything long of this surface will find itself nestling into some thick rough. The 12th is the Stroke Index 3, thanks to its two fairway bunkers that pinch in the short grass at the landing zone. The green is surrounded by trees on three sides, with a bunker guarding the open side of the surface. 13 does play downhill, so it feels shorter than its carded yardage of almost 430. However, it still provides a challenge, moving from right to left around the corner, and with mounds all around the green.

The tricky section doesn’t finish there, though, as you then come to the 14th – the Stroke Index 1 at North Foreland. The 14th plays uphill and usually into the prevailing wind, making it feel much longer than its 387 yards. A narrow fairway must be found, with the green looking like a very small target in the distance. 15 is also tough despite being less than 350 yards. The line is over the left bunker, and at the centre of the clubhouse. However, pull it too far left, and you’ll find the gorse, push it right and you might find either of the other two fairway traps.

16 is the longest hole on the course – a 515-yard par 5. Miss the fairway bunker off the tee and this is a good chance for birdie. The green is protected by two bunkers, along with out of bounds lurking through the trees at the back. At 451 yards, and playing back up the hill, the 17th is a brute of a par 4. OOB is down the entirety of the left side, while trees line the right side. It is a generous fairway, and it needs to be for the length of this hole. The green sits slightly above the level of the fairway, and has swales and bunkers all around it. The 18th hole will require your concentration when trying to finish your round in style. This is the longest par 3 on the course and it is protected by bunkers. It requires both length and accuracy, and provides a thrilling finish to a round at North Foreland.

Where is North Foreland located?

North Foreland Golf Club sits in the southeast corner of Kent, almost as far east as you could possibly go in the county. It is located between the towns of Margate and Broadstairs, and the far end of the course overlooks Joss Bay and the water beyond. The A28 runs from Margate down to the M20 at Ashford, while the A299 will take you west to the M2. England’s capital city is around 80 miles from North Foreland.

Broadstairs and Margate both sit on the same train line, with services running through to London St Pancras and London Victoria on a regular basis. London Gatwick is the closest major international airport to North Foreland, but that is still some 85 miles away, sitting to the south of England’s capital city. London City Airport is around the same distance, but requires driving more towards the centre of London.

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

As soon as you hear or read the word Kent when it comes to golf, you immediately think of the big three, the Open Championship hosting trio. Prince’s, Royal St George’s and Royal Cinque Ports are all within 25 miles of North Foreland. After that, both Chart Hills and Littlestone are over an hour away.

What golf facilities does North Foreland offer?

Along with the glorious Main Course, North Foreland is also home to one of the most beautiful 18-hole par 3 courses in the country – the Northcliffe Course. There is also a wonderful short game area by the 16th tee of the Main Course, along with the driving range behind that. The club also has an 18-hole putting green to work on the flat stick before you take to the course.

What are the green fees at North Foreland?

The price of a green fee at North Foreland 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 North Foreland, visit their website here (opens in a new tab).

Visit North Foreland's website here (opens in a new tab).

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