Championship Links Course

Littlestone’s Championship Links is one of Kent’s great historic links courses, set on the edge of Romney Marsh close to the English Channel. The sea is not always visible, but its influence is constant: sandy ground, firm fairways, low dunes, heavy rough and wind that can alter the course completely. Since 1888 Littlestone has combined genuine linksland with important architectural contributions from several generations.

Littlestone occupies a coastal strip known for an unusually dry microclimate. The club describes Romney Marsh as one of the driest parts of Britain. Free-draining ground encourages bounce and run, while natural dunes and rough define the visual corridors. The land is relatively low, but continual small-scale movement changes lies and angles into the greens throughout the round.

Golf has been played at Littlestone since 1888. The first captain, William Laidlaw Purves — also associated with Royal St George’s — worked with professional David Herd on a course covering much of the present ground. James Braid was later invited to introduce and reposition bunkers. In 1924 Alister MacKenzie visited and produced an extensive list of recommendations, some adopted immediately and others implemented gradually.

Littlestone is therefore not the work of a single architect. Purves and Herd established the original structure, Braid added a stronger bunker strategy and MacKenzie refined the relationship between holes and natural forms. This accumulation gives the course unusual depth. The links rewards reading the ground as much as the air: bounce, slope and wind can transform a line that looked perfect from the tee. Accuracy and anticipation matter more than simple power.

The Championship Links plays to par 71 and measures up to 6,682 yards from the blue tees. Fairways are fast, bunkers sit naturally within the ground and greens can become very firm when dry weather combines with wind. The 17th, a 180-yard par three from the back tees, is one of the standout holes. The cross bunkering at the 16th is a particularly clear reminder of James Braid’s historical influence.

Littlestone offers two eighteen-hole courses, the Championship Links and the Warren, together with practice and teaching facilities. The Championship hosted the first Ladies Golf Union Championship in 1894 and later served as a Final Qualifying venue for The Open, including in 2003. The current official professional course record is 63. Visitors are welcomed within defined access periods, but restricted days, prices and tee availability remain dynamic.

Golf since 1888 ; true Kent links ; legacy of William Laidlaw Purves, David Herd, James Braid and Alister MacKenzie ; par 71 ; up to 6,682 yards ; first Ladies Golf Union Championship in 1894 ; Open Final Qualifying venue ; dry Romney Marsh microclimate.