North Foreland Golf Club

Located on Kent’s northeast coast between Margate and Broadstairs, North Foreland was founded in 1903 by Sir William Capel Slaughter of the international law firm Slaughter & May.

Originally 9 holes and extended by architects Herb Fowler and Tom Simpson in 1912 to 18, it sits atop the chalk cliffs with sea views from nearly every hole. The clubhouse is impressive with great panoramic views from the upstairs bar and balcony.

North Foreland Golf Course overview

The wide fairways and clifftop situation give you a real sense of space at North Foreland and may lull you into a sense of relaxation. Don’t be fooled though, as there are plenty of strategically placed bunkers lying in wait.

At just over 6400 yards off the tips, the length is not an issue however the all-important second shot requires concentration, as making and holding the greens is deceptively tricky. The course starts inland amid rolling parkland with a couple of short par-4s, before getting your first sea view, from which point it will be visible most of the time. The back nine is more exposed with some long holes along the cliff top when the wind is blowing in the wrong direction.

Signature hole

The par-3 5th hole called Neptune is just 142-yards, right next to the English Channel and old fort. A beautiful spot.

Did You Know?

Abe Mitchell was a great professional golf player who worked at North Foreland. He was supposed to be Great Britain’s first Ryder Cup in 1927 but was unable to make the voyage to the US due to appendicitis. He also happened to be Samuel Ryder’s personal golf instructor, and the figure on top of the Ryder Cup trophy is modeled after Mitchell.