Kent has long had a reputation as one of England’s great golfing counties, but sometimes the best courses are the ones sitting just beyond the usual routine. If your typical OGC round sees you heading to the nearest tee sheet, it might be time to point the car slightly further east.
Introducing The Kent Swing — three superb OGC partner courses that each offer something completely different. From dramatic woodland and lakes, to classic golf architecture and championship layouts, these are the sort of venues that remind us why travelling a little further can pay off.
And the good news? They are all surprisingly accessible for members travelling from Essex, South London and West London.
Sweetwoods Park Golf Club
Tucked away in beautiful Wealden countryside on the Kent/Sussex border, Sweetwoods feels like one of those places you stumble across and immediately wonder why you hadn't played it years ago.
This championship par-72 layout winds through woodland, streams and lakes, with water coming into play throughout the course and some genuinely memorable tee shots. Fast, undulating greens and strategic approaches reward thoughtful golf rather than simply reaching for the driver on every tee.
There is plenty of visual drama, too. Mature woodland surrounds much of the course, while the landscape opens out in places to reveal sweeping countryside views that make it feel a little more like a golfing escape than a quick local round.
OGC Tip: Bring your camera as well as your clubs. There are some fantastic views around this course.
Approximate travel times:
- South London: 45–60 minutes
- West London: 70–90 minutes
- Essex (Brentwood/Chelmsford area): 75–100 minutes
West Kent Golf Club
West Kent is one of those understated classics that quietly wins people over.
Founded more than a century ago, the course combines traditional design principles with a wonderfully natural setting. Mature trees frame many of the holes, the terrain rises and falls naturally, and every hole seems to ask a slightly different question.
There are no gimmicks here. It is simply very good golf. The kind of course where placement matters, where strategy often beats brute force, and where you walk off the eighteenth already thinking about which holes you would play differently next time.
The club has a genuine members' club feel, too, creating a welcoming, established atmosphere that golfers always appreciate.
Approximate travel times:
- South London: 25–40 minutes
- West London: 45–60 minutes
- Essex (Brentwood/Chelmsford area): 60–80 minutes
Hever Castle Golf Club
If there is a showstopper on The Kent Swing, Hever Castle may well be it.
Set within the historic grounds surrounding one of Kent's most famous landmarks, the golf experience here feels special before you even reach the first tee. The venue combines the King's and Queen's nines to create an impressive championship course, alongside an additional Prince's nine-hole layout.
Wide, sweeping fairways sit amongst mature parkland, lakes and beautifully landscaped surroundings. The course has hosted professional events and offers enough challenge to test lower handicappers while remaining enjoyable for golfers of all standards.
It feels like one of those places where a round naturally becomes more of a day out.
Approximate travel times:
- South London: 45–60 minutes
- West London: 70–90 minutes
- Essex (Brentwood/Chelmsford area): 80–100 minutes
Why The Kent Swing Works
One of the biggest surprises with these courses is just how close they actually are.
Many of us instinctively think "Kent equals long drive", but for a large proportion of OGC members, you're realistically talking about an extra 20–30 minutes in the car compared with some regular rounds.
For that little bit of extra travel, you get:
✔ Three completely different golfing experiences
✔ Championship-quality layouts
✔ Outstanding scenery
✔ A proper day out rather than just another round
Golf often rewards the player who thinks beyond the obvious option. Booking your next round might be the same.
The OGC challenge: Why not tick off all three and complete The Kent Swing this season? We suspect at least one of them may become a regular favourite.
