The London Golf Club (International Course)

The London Golf Club (International) — Kent’s Nicklaus Design downland test

Stand on the first tee of the International Course and the noise of the capital feels a world away. Fairways tumble and roll across the Kent downland, and within a few holes you meet the water that defines the round: bold, heart-in-mouth tee shots that dare you to take them on.

The London Golf Club (International) is a par-72 championship course of about 7,005 yards at Ash, near Sevenoaks and Brands Hatch in Kent, roughly 20 miles south-east of London. It is one of two courses at the club, laid out by Ron Kirby under the Nicklaus Design banner, and is widely regarded as one of the finest downland courses in Europe. Unlike the members-only Heritage, the International welcomes visitor golf.

Key Details

• Location: Ash, near Sevenoaks, Kent, England
• Length: approximately 7,005 yards from the back tees
• Par: 72
• Designer: Ron Kirby, under the Nicklaus Design banner
• Established: opened 1993 (official course opening 1994)
• Notable Events: Volvo World Match Play Championship; Staysure PGA Seniors Championship; Open Championship Regional Qualifying

History and significance

The London Golf Club was the vision of Japanese businessman Masao Nagahara, who set out to build a world-class golfing venue within easy reach of London, reportedly in response to a perceived need for one near the capital. The club opened in 1993, with the official course opening following in 1994, marked by a charity skins match between Jack Nicklaus, Seve Ballesteros and Tony Jacklin.

Two 18-hole layouts were created here. The Heritage is a pure Jack Nicklaus design, while the International — the course covered in this guide — was designed by Ron Kirby working under the Nicklaus Design banner. After the original owners ran into financial difficulty, the club was bought in 2003 by the Bendinat Group, owners of Royal Bendinat in Mallorca, and it sits within the European Tour Destinations network.

The International has a genuine tournament pedigree. It hosted the Volvo World Match Play Championship, won by Mikko Ilonen, and the Staysure PGA Seniors Championship on the European Senior Tour, alongside Open Championship Regional Qualifying. The European Open of 2008 and 2009 was played over the Heritage Course, not the International.

The course and how it plays

The International is a classic downland course: fast, undulating fairways that let you chase the ball into position, framed by the gentle folds of the Kent countryside. It rewards a thinking golfer who plots a way around rather than simply overpowering the card, and at around 7,005 yards off the back tees it is a proper championship test.

Water is the signature theme. Several holes are punctuated by risk-and-reward tee shots played over lakes, where the braver line leaves the better angle and the safer one adds a shot. Strategic bunkering, firm greens and the roll of the land all ask questions, so club selection and course management matter as much as ball-striking.

A run of strong par-3s gives the round its rhythm and its danger, while the par-5s offer temptation for those willing to gamble. It plays differently depending on the wind and the firmness underfoot, and stays fair while still testing every part of your game.

Signature holes

The International is known for its dramatic par-3s over water and for one par-5 its designer rated above all others. These holes are drawn from the club’s own scorecard for the course.

Hole 8 (Par 3, 201 yards)

The most photographed hole on the course. From an elevated tee you must carry a large lake to a green ringed by bunkers, with anything short or leaked right finding trouble. Club selection and nerve are everything; get both right and it is one of the most satisfying pars in Kent.

Hole 13 (Par 5, 555 yards)

Ron Kirby is quoted as calling this “the best par 5 I have ever created”. A split fairway and water in play set up a genuine choice: lay up safely, or take on the aggressive line for a shorter, better angle to the green. It is risk and reward distilled into a single hole.

Hole 17 (Par 3, 229 yards)

The longest of the short holes and a stern examination late in the round, demanding a long, accurate strike to hold a well-defended green. With the card there to be protected, it is a hole that can undo a good score in a single swing.

Why play The London Golf Club

The International offers a rare combination near London: a genuine championship course with tournament history, immaculate year-round conditioning and the space of open downland, yet it is open to visitors. Its downland character is a refreshing contrast to the region’s parkland and coastal courses, and the water holes give the round a memorable edge.

Add first-class practice facilities and the sense of playing where European Tour and Senior Tour events have been decided, and it makes an easy choice for a special round within striking distance of the capital.

Clubhouse and facilities

The clubhouse is a spacious, comfortable base with clubhouse dining, lounge areas and event spaces used for meetings, functions and weddings. A well-stocked golf shop handles green-fee check-in and equipment, and buggies, trolleys and club hire are available.

Practice is a real strength. There is a 330-yard turf driving range with tees at both ends and covered bays for poor weather, two practice greens matched to the courses, practice bunkers including a fairway bunker, and a chipping green, with practice balls provided. PGA tuition is offered on site.

Green fees and booking

Visitor golf at The London Golf Club is played on the International Course; the Heritage is reserved for members. Visitors are welcome to book, and green fees vary by season, day and time of day.

As a guide, and taken from the club’s own published rates, a full round on the International typically costs from around £175–£195 in the quieter months up to about £195 midweek and £225 at weekends and bank holidays in peak season, with twilight rounds from roughly £105–£125. Buggy, trolley and club hire are available for an additional charge. Visitor tee times can generally be booked up to 21 days in advance through the club’s online booking system.

Fees change over time, so treat these as approximate. For current green fees and tee times, check the official website.

Getting there and parking

The course sits at Ash, near Brands Hatch, and is quick to reach from the M20 and M25.

• By car: leave the M25 at Junction 3 or use the nearby M20, then follow local roads towards Ash and Brands Hatch; the club is signposted off Stansted Lane.
• By public transport: the nearest railway stations are Borough Green & Wrotham and Longfield, with taxis available for the short onward journey; Southeastern serves the area from London.
• Address & parking: London Golf Club, Stansted Lane, Ash, near Brands Hatch, Kent, TN15 7EH. Ample free on-site parking is provided.

Where to stay

Sevenoaks is the most convenient base, with hotels, guesthouses and easy access back to the course, and it makes a comfortable town-centre hub for a golf trip.

For a wider choice, the nearby towns of Brands Hatch, West Malling and Maidstone offer country hotels and inns, while central London is close enough that some visitors combine a round with a city stay. Choose Sevenoaks or the immediate villages if you want to be nearest the first tee.

What to pack

The International is exposed downland, so pack for changeable Kent weather: waterproofs, a warm layer and a windproof top, even in summer. Smart-casual golf attire meets the dress code — collared shirts and tailored trousers or shorts, with no denim.

Bring plenty of golf balls for the carries over water, a rangefinder for the long par-3s, and soft spikes. Buggies, trolleys and clubs can be hired if you are travelling light.

Nearby attractions

Kent, the “Garden of England”, gives non-golfers and rest days plenty to enjoy. A few highlights near the course:

Conclusion

The London Golf Club’s International Course delivers something unusual: championship golf with real tournament heritage, set in rolling Kent downland yet open to visitors, all within half an hour of the capital. Take on the water, respect the par-3s, and you will understand why it is rated among Europe’s finest downland courses — a round that lingers long after the drive home.

Frequently asked questions

Who designed the International Course at The London Golf Club?

The International Course was designed by Ron Kirby working under the Nicklaus Design banner, and it opened in the early 1990s. It should not be confused with the club’s other course, the Heritage, which is a pure Jack Nicklaus design and one of only a handful of Nicklaus courses in England. Both were part of Masao Nagahara’s plan to create a world-class venue near London. Kirby was especially proud of the International’s 13th, a par-5 he described as the best he had ever created. Between them the two layouts give The London Golf Club 36 holes of championship golf on the Kent downland.

Can visitors play the International Course?

Yes. While The London Golf Club is a members’ club and the Heritage Course is reserved for members, the International welcomes visitor golf. Visitors can book tee times through the club’s online booking system, generally up to 21 days in advance, and the published green fee includes use of the practice facilities and putting greens. Buggies, trolleys and clubs can be hired. Green fees vary by season, day and time, so it is worth booking ahead and checking current rates and availability on the official website before you travel. Larger groups are treated as golf events and arranged separately with the club.

What are the green fees for the International Course?

Green fees vary by season, day of the week and time of day. As an approximate guide from the club’s own published rates, a full round typically costs from around £175–£195 in the quieter months, rising to about £195 midweek and £225 at weekends and bank holidays at peak season, with twilight rounds from roughly £105–£125. Buggy, trolley and club hire cost extra. These figures change over time, so treat them as indicative only. For current green fees and tee times, check the official website, where visitor bookings can usually be made up to 21 days in advance.

What tournaments has the International Course hosted?

The International Course has a strong professional pedigree. It staged the Volvo World Match Play Championship, won by Mikko Ilonen, and hosted the Staysure PGA Seniors Championship on the European Senior Tour, as well as Open Championship Regional Qualifying. It is worth noting a common mix-up: the European Open of 2008 and 2009 was played over the club’s Heritage Course, not the International. Together the two courses have welcomed a range of European Tour and Senior Tour events, part of why The London Golf Club is regarded as one of the leading championship venues in the south-east of England.

How do I get to The London Golf Club?

The course is at Ash, near Brands Hatch in Kent, about 20 miles south-east of London and close to the M25 and M20. By car, leave the M25 at Junction 3 or use the nearby M20, then follow local roads and signs towards Ash and Brands Hatch; the club is signposted off Stansted Lane, postcode TN15 7EH, with ample free parking on site. By public transport, the nearest railway stations are Borough Green & Wrotham and Longfield, both served from London, with taxis available for the short final leg to the club.