Leeds Castle Golf Course

Played here in the early morning on 22nd May with my father as we had a few hours to kill in the morning before a family get together. I have to say that I do like this course as the perfect way to play a very pleasant 9 holes of golf and still have pretty much all day free. The whole course was in very good condition and that's no mean feat given the weather over the previous 4 weeks. The greens were slow, but again that's not something that should come as a surprise. If you want monster par 5 holes, pot bunkers that you can't see out of, greens with big slopes and water hazards, then this course offersd none of those. But it doesn't say that it does and a very cursory check on various websites tells you this, so you can't really complain. If you do want a very pleasant 2 hours of golf (or less if you're any good) in the nicest of surroundings then this is definitely for you. And if you're looking for a quick corporate round with some clients, get them up on the 4th tee with the view overlooking the castle and they'll love you for it. Overall, I think that you get rather more than you pay for considering the weekday fee!

I really like this scenic course. They haven't just crammed a load of fairways next to eachother, which makes for relaxed 9 holes. The fairways and greens are always in good condition (if a little slow). Compared to bigger, more exclusive/expensive courses i am sure it falls short in some golfers expectations, and yes there is no par 5- but there are enough challenges and hazards to keep you interested. On the down side, the bunkers could use some fresh sand, fairway yardage markers would be handy and they only have nets for warming up. At £9 midweek and £12 at weekends, it's ideal for a those with less time on their hands, more relaxed golfers and for those wishing to learn golf in a suitably unpretenious yet beautiful setting.

Played Leeds 9 hole course earlier today in amazing weather for this time of year! GOOD BITS: Some great holes, the 2nd, 5th, 8th and 9th have great challenges. Greens in fairly good nick. At £9 for 9 holes midweek beats other local competition for price. Good use of hazards. Great views of the castle BAD BITS: The tee areas are the worst I've ever seen anywhere, very muddy and grass longer than you tee - if they're not maintaining them they may as well just have mats and be done with it! No par 5s. CONCLUSION: It's a short course, which is fine but felt like an elaborate pitch and putt with the poor tee areas. A par 5 is needed in my opinion... Much potential but needs a bit of money thrown at it!

Was quite impressed by this course. Some nice dog legs, blind drives, elevated greens, water hazards, the 8th is a great hole- lovely challenge. But (and theres always a but!) the 6th was a pathetic album filler track, and the fairways were all dug up and covered in earth. Great potential but it needs a lot of TLC.

Having previously lived in nearby Maidstone for some years, I had never played this course, thinking it was maybe a big boys pitch n putt at best. I couldn't have been more wrong. I played Leeds Castle for the first time last weekend on a trip back to Maidstone to see some old friends. Helped by beautiful weather, the course provided some great scenery. Certainly the most picturesque course I have played in some time. I played with a regular player at the course which was quite a help as the first three holes offer up blind tee shots. The signature fifth offers great views of the castle and a chance to try and drive the roads that cross the wide fairway. I quite enjoyed the challenge offered by the eighth hole. A awkwardly placed pond at around 190 - 200 yards provides a decision to be made, whether to drive it or lay up. I was well off form so it was an easy 7 short of the water and another up the hill to the green. The ninth was my favourite hole. With the green well below the tee, and guarded by a pond it is certainly a challenge. A few spectators also stood on the first tee looking down onto the ninth green, putting a bit more pressure on the tee shot. With trouble left and right the green has to be hit. I played a second round straight after. Eager to replay the first three blind holes, as I now new what lay beyond the crest of the fairway! A cracking little course, all greens were in great shape if a little slow at times, the pro shop was well stocked and noteably friendly and bar maybe the short par three - sixth hole everything here offers a distinct challenge to the average golfer. I'll certainly visit here on every return trip to Maidstone.

As the course is 9 holes it can be completed in 2 hours and is ideal for squeezing in a round when time is tight. Ideally played in summer where the full beauty of the surroundings can be taken in, the course while short has some tricky holes and is not at all easy. The pro-shop is welcoming and well-stocked, the car park is next to a very decent pub/restaurant and all is easily accessible via M20/A20. While you have the option to play 18 I don’t know anyone who has. The first hole is a blind drive over a rise to a raised green in lower ground. Big hitters must be straight! The second is a straight drive to the right of the left hand treeline. Out of bounds right claims many drives. A medium iron will suffice to a large green. Crossing the road, the 3rd is a dogleg left which requires a nice 3 wood or similar to get an angle to attack the very long elevated green. The 4th is shortish Par 3 with out of bounds left. Cross the road again and after a 100 yards you come to the hole you paid the money for, the 5th. This plays as a very long Par 4 downhill with spectacular views of the castle and its grounds (take a camera). A lucky long hit will bounce on the perimeter road and gain another 50 yards. Hitting right is a pain here as a large tree obscures any long approach shot. Straight or a bit left is fine. The 6th Tee is next to the Castle moat and offers a spectacular close up of the Castle. The hole itself is a short Par 3. Next up is the 7th which flows right then left across very undulating ground. Left with a driver and its water, right and it’s a new ball. The 8th is another long Par 4 with water at the extreme driving range for most players. The drive is away downhill and you will not see it land. Anything right is trees and a lost ball. Ground can get heavy here. The green (short uphill iron) itself is straightforward though usually protected by a peacock! The final hole is a long Par 3 downhill over a large pond. Left and right is a lost ball! On a general note the course is usually in good condition and in summer is a pleasure to play. You may to carry your bag after very wet weather. Be aware that on occasion a major event (e.g. concert) will change the course layout and you may lose the signature 5th hole. In summer you should check beforehand to avoid disappointment if you like this hole. Otherwise, recommended.

I went here expecting to find a decent course and was delighted to find that it totally lived up to that expectation. There are some tricky holes to keep you on your toes, and if you're having a bad day then you always have the castle to look at through the middle stretch. My favourite holes were probably the 7th (played around the moat) and the par 3 9th, whilst the view from the 5th tee is pretty good too. It's only 9 holes, but my advice is go play this course soon.

The Course is set arround leeds castle On my first ever visit there i got a hole in one on the 4th 160 yards par3. Witnessed by my brother Spencer Shaw and my brother-in-law Dan Harwood-Stamper used a 7 iron off the tee and we all couldn't believe it when the ball bounced once and then disappeared. At the club house i was told not even the pro at the course had done it. Now i can't wait to get back and give it another go. Well worth a visit and even a chance for a pint at the 19th although last time it cost me a fortune!!

One of the most picturesque courses I have ever played. The 5th hole especially is very dramatic with the hole playing down towards the castle and moat. The 9th hole is a very goood finishing hole wich provides a good test for even the most accomplished golfer. Not a very difficult course but a very beautiful courrse. I would strongly reccomend this course - take your hole family. The men can play golf and the women can look around the castle.

A fairly short course with not a lot of variety for the competent golfer. One gets beautiful views of the castle as you walk around a number of the holes. However the course is crammed into the space available and there are several long walks between holes. It appears that on a couple of the holes there is a problem with rabbits and one also has to avoid the swans and ducks. Ok for an evenings knockabout.

This is a real treasure 9 hole course, an excellent challenge in a beautiful setting. The 9th is a good finish, even though a par three, with trees either side of a pond situated right in front of the green. There is no bail out area so a straight drive from the elevated tee is essential otherwise it could be a card wrecker. The staff were the friendliest we have met at any course we have visited.

Superb, challenging, great scenary and if your second shot goes to long your in the moat. Plenty of water, makes for more fun. Absolutely brilliant!!!