West Malling Golf Club
Addington,
Maidstone, Kent ME19 5AR
Tel : +44 (0)1732 844785 Fax : +44 (0)1732 844795

Cliff Beadle (Hdcp: 12) wrote on: Sep 20, 2010

The course is extremely tight. I would recommend 3-wood or recovery club off the tee for long hitters on most holes as fairways are narrow and sloping. Greens are very large and in very good condition, but difficult to read with subtle breaks which you cant see! Most of the holes are short but accuracy off tee essential to shoot a good score. The par-3s were a bit of a let down as 3 of them played 100yds off the the tee. 18th hole was probably the only descent hole on the course with beautiful lake just left of green. Par-5s are easily reachably, but the last of the par-5s didn't seem to have a fairway after 200yds. Tee blocks, fairways and greens were in very good condition, but if your a long hitter I would recommend somewhere different for your £25. There is a 2nd course on site (hurricane) which if flatter and looked very nice on the drive out.

Reply

Ben Cheetham Hcp 12 wrote on: Mar 31, 1999

The end result is impressive. Two courses of about 6,200 yards, both par 70, and both a decent test of golf. But the scars remain: it is often clear which holes are new and which have been carved up. Most wounds heal in time, but ten years later, the courses are still a few peaceful years away from full recovery.
As Neville Chamberlain (handicap 15) once announced: 'I hold in my hand a piece of paper which guarantees peace of mind whichever course you choose'. Something like that. However, in my humble opinion, the Spitfire is clearly the better of the two. Both have plenty of trees and enough water to ensure the importance of bridges. The greens are true and holding. Sadly, mats are used for most tee shots, but that may just be for visitors.
But I recommend the Spitfire course purely because of the seven consecutive holes on the Hurricane course that are on the newly acquired land. No amount of water and man-made undulation can hide the newness of these holes. Viewed from above, the seven holes (sixth through to the twelth) could be seen as a rather plain, round face, with the curve of the M25 providing the smile, the fairways as wrinkles, the greens as moles and the large, grass-covered mound (on the eighth) as a hairy wart. Hardly the prettiest of faces but one that will improve with age.
Overall, West Malling Golf Club has two tough, interesting courses. Plane by name, but not by nature. Both are going to improve quickly, so get in now before they cost a bomb. Go on, Blitz it.
And forgive the last paragraph: a war crime if ever there was one.

Reply