When asked whether I preferred parkland or links golf, I voted for the latter.
I’ve had the pleasure of hitting some of the best examples over the years and feel like I have some chance on links layouts because their turf is more bouncy and the spaces are more open.
But as a short-game, 20-plus handicapper, I let my clubs gather too much dust and I often felt defeated on the long park layouts, where my score kept soaring by visiting the trees and knowing that even two good shots wouldn’t get me particularly close to the green on some of the longer par 4s.
So after being given the opportunity to race on Sir Nick Fedor’s Charter Hill, a parkrun track in the heart of Kent, excitement was mixed with a degree of trepidation.
Chart Hills remains Europe’s only iconic Faldo designed golf course, set in 200 acres of rolling countryside. If you’re flying into London Gatwick Airport, it’s approximately 90 minutes’ drive away.
Opened in 1993, it was Sir Nick’s architectural debut. The course hosted the Women’s English Open from 2004 to 2007 and was won by Solheim Cup stars Maria Hjorth and Becky Brewerton. It’s always a good endorsement of the layout when the best players make it to the top.
Under new ownership, Chart Hills has undergone some significant changes and renovations since 2019, and redevelopment efforts have continued apace over the past few years.
Format: Stableford
Players: Dave Tindall, Scott Murray, Pat Bristow
Booking a tournament in the UK in November can be a fool’s errand, but we have two big things going for us today: mild weather and golf courses in good condition.
Having not played (even on the range) since August – not very smart for someone of my level – I paused and welcomed the opportunity to relax. There are free buckets on the driving range, so it’s a good chance to get in the groove.
As I drove overnight in Cambridge, I arrived there early and had the opportunity to refuel with bacon sagni and a cup of tea in the elegant Club Bar (breakfast 7am-12pm; lunch 12pm-5pm).
The relaxed atmosphere and panoramic views of the course through the large windows add another layer of comfort. Proper warm-up (check). Full stomach (check). Unexpectedly good weather (check mark). Even though I’m a part-time golfer, there’s really no reason not to have a good round today.
There’s even a six-hole par-3 course (holes ranging from 50 to 100 yards) called “The Loop” near the parking lot, but unfortunately, we didn’t have time to test our wedge game.
course
In some cursory pre-tournament research, I noticed that most descriptions of Charter Hill focused on how many bunkers there were on the course.
Sir Nick himself said: “This golf course is even different to the first hole because there aren’t many courses in the UK that start with a row of bunkers.
“We have a lot of bunkers on the golf course, which makes it scenic and really fun and gives it its own character. So it’s a little bit different from the get-go.”
Yes, the visual feature of the first hole—a dogleg par 5 537 yards from the “61” tee box (yellow)—is a row of fairway bunkers.
I hit a nice tee shot, but one of the sand bandits stuck an arm out and pulled my ball in. OMG.
It is at this point that I need to admit that I often forget how to play in the bunker. If I have a coach/good players with me I can follow their guidance and have some success, but otherwise it’s carnage.
So the first time I drove it I found that the sand was not ideal. But as if to show that I was undeterred, I pulled out a fairway wood, trusting that I could control the lip. My partner exchanged a worried look.
But fate favors the brave. I made a clean catch and hit it into the fairway, which paved the way for a bogey 6, which was good.
Rumor has it that there are over 130 bunkers scattered around the course, but surprisingly, I only found one. The first time I didn’t get out, but the second time I floated to about eight feet, again adding a few more points of stability.
An impressive array of different bunkers, but the most notable is the infamous “Anaconda,” which snakes up the side of the par-5 fifth hole and then across the fairway. At 200 yards from tail to head, it is probably the longest bunker in Europe.
Given that Sir Nick is a three-time Open Champion, perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised to see pot bunkers on the course. I narrowly avoided it at 9, but my partner Scott didn’t. His head was already lower than his lips, but he heroically knocked it out the first time.
With a steady Ford contribution on every hole, I arrived at the turn with a score of 16 and thoroughly enjoyed what can only be described as a riveting test of golf.
Chart Hills’ “61” tee box measures 6,169 yards (par 72) and is a great golf course. Note that from the back “71” tees, the yardage extends to 7,119 yards. It’s 6,653 yards from “66,” so there’s some good spacing to suit whatever position you have.
With multiple doglegs, plenty of water hazards, all the bunkers, and large, often undulating greens that are intact, there’s a lot to see.
While at the Halfway House I wanted something to eat and here’s a tip: make sure you get a sausage roll, it was one of the best sausage rolls I’ve ever had.
Perhaps, as a result, I scored 6 points on the 10th and 11th holes, kept going, and scored 19 points on the back nine, bringing my total to 35 points.
I’m very happy with it because it’s the first time and I’ll know where I can (try) better next time.
I’ve had some shockingly consistent Ford scores (under 20) on the parkrun, but today’s efforts felt as though I was rewarded with some good shots, getting into rhythm on the greens and getting my gray matter working nicely.
You might hope that Faldo’s design rewards brains over brawn, and that’s the case with Chart Hills.
I particularly like the par-4 3s where I play 4-3-3-4. At 171 yards on the 7th hole, I hit the ball to about 10 feet and missed the putt.
The final short hole is a nod to Sawgrass’ famous 17th hole, where I hit arguably my best shot of the day, a close shot with a short iron.
Upon reaching the island green, my ball was literally nowhere to be found, but luckily it stuck to some grass near the reeds in the back and I chopped it to the dance floor before two putts.
As if to reiterate the sand theme once and for all, the 18th hole has bunkers dotted throughout and the view from the tee was beautiful as we hit the ball in the afternoon sun.
Thankfully, I avoided them and managed to finish on the green, although Pat almost stole the draw in dramatic fashion when his long, I-won’t-leave-this-short putt caught the lip.
barn
After the game we had a bite to eat in the bar and watched Manchester City play Liverpool.
I then headed to my accommodation for the night.
“The Barn” is just a minute’s drive from the course. It can accommodate up to eight people (four rooms: two upstairs and two downstairs) and is the perfect place to relax.
My room was lovely and warm on a November evening and I was able to relax and watch the day’s game on the big TV.
And, get it, there’s even a putting green out back if you want to go out and hone your straight-shooting skills.
It’s an ideal place to stay and play, and my evening at The Barn capped off a thoroughly enjoyable golfing experience.
Comment by Scott Murray (The Guardian)
Chart Hills has 133 bunkers. Of the 132 holes I visited, my favorite was the 14th hole left of the green; a four-foot splash and a sand save.
My second favorite? One of many golfers guarding the front of No. 9, a short par 4 riddled with deep traps like a road hole copied and pasted so many times.
For a sandlot player who is notoriously prone to panic, just getting out there was exciting and a welcome confidence boost. Take me to the old ballpark, I’m not afraid of you now.
As for the Anaconda Bunker, which winds its way 200 yards along the right side of the par-5 5th…well, I’d rather my tee shot split the fairway; Of course I do.
But there’s something morbidly beautiful about being able to boast that my balls have been swallowed by the longest snake in an English garden. It sits mesmerizingly in all its serpentine glory, just begging to be smoothly clipped and sent back into place with hybrid power. I can splash from the side, but carpe diem, kids?
I slashed it across the face. Of course I did. But let’s not get too hung up on the details.
Perhaps it’s best not to get too deep into these things in the first place, and here’s the thing about Charter Hill: as you’d certainly expect from Nick Fedor’s designs, you have to use your old brains and plot your way around.
There’s no need to bombard the tee shot here and there: my best drive of the day was a missile right down the middle of the aforementioned 14th hole; the only problem is, you run out of the fairway so quickly that a river cuts through it.
Jeff, a hint, then rummaged solemnly in the bag for another rock.
Danger is everywhere, but the beauty of the scenery masks it all.
What a joy it is when you successfully solve a problem! I’ve rarely had a bigger dash on the golf course than deftly bundling chips several feet away on the false front of the 8th green. Even if I made the putt afterwards.
Chart Hills – cerebral, scenic, glorious – great fun. I’d love to play it again. If nothing else, I still have a bunker to visit.
2025/26 Winter Stay and Play Offer
£199 per person (based on 8 players)
Group of 4 – £225 per person
- Play two rounds on the Sir Nick Faldo-designed championship 18-hole course
- Unlimited access to The Loop (par 3 course) and driving range
- Accommodates up to 8 guests overnight
- Enjoy breakfast in the club bar
