Best Public Golf Courses in Kent for Visitors and Non-Members
Where visitors and non-members can play good golf across Kent, from the Darent Valley to the coast
Finding the best public golf courses in Kent is straightforward once you know where to look, because the county is well served by pay and play venues that welcome visitors and non-members. Whether you are learning, playing occasionally or just want a relaxed round without joining a club, this guide gathers genuinely accessible Kent courses, from the Darent Valley to the coast, and explains how to book and what to check before you play.
If you are weighing up where to play, see our roundups of golf courses near Sevenoaks and cheap golf in Kent.
What counts as a public golf course
A public, or pay and play, course lets you turn up, pay a green fee and play a round without being a member. These venues are the backbone of casual golf: they welcome beginners and visitors, offer flexible tee times, and often have practice facilities on site. Some private members' clubs also open their course to visitors on quieter midweek days, so it is always worth asking. The courses below are all reliably open to non-members.
Public courses in north-west Kent
Lullingstone Park, Eynsford
Set in beautiful country park land in the Darent Valley, Lullingstone Park is a council-owned pay and play venue with an 18-hole Championship course and a shorter 9-hole Valley course. The two-course setup makes it flexible for a full round or a quick, cheaper nine, and as a public site it is welcoming to visitors and beginners alike, and one of the best-value places to play in the area.
Birchwood Park, Wilmington
Birchwood Park Golf Centre near Dartford is a large, popular pay and play facility with a main course, a shorter course and a driving range. It is geared to casual and improving golfers, making it a dependable choice for an affordable round with practice facilities to hand. Check its current green fees and any twilight offers when you book.
Chelsfield Lakes, Orpington
On the Kent and Greater London border towards Orpington, Chelsfield Lakes Golf Centre is another accessible pay and play centre with a full course, a par-3 course and a range. It is well used by visitors and beginners, and the mix of courses lets you pick a shorter, cheaper option when you are short on time.
Public courses across mid and east Kent
Broome Park, near Canterbury
Broome Park Golf and Country Club at Barham, just south of Canterbury, is a parkland course set around a grand mansion estate. It welcomes visitors and makes a scenic, enjoyable round for a golf day out in east Kent. As with any resort course, confirm visitor tee times and rates in advance.
Boughton, near Faversham
Boughton Golf near Faversham is a friendly parkland course that welcomes pay and play visitors, with well-kept fairways and an unfussy, relaxed feel. It is a good mid-Kent option if you want a proper 18 holes without membership.
The Sandwich links
On the east Kent coast, the championship links courses around Sandwich, including Princes and Royal Cinque Ports, welcome visitors for a premium green fee. They are a bucket-list experience rather than a casual round, so book well ahead and expect to pay considerably more than at an inland pay and play course.
How to book and what to check
Before you travel, a few checks make the day go smoothly:
- Confirm visitor access: pay and play courses are always open, but members' clubs may only take visitors on certain days.
- Book a tee time: reserve online or by phone, especially at weekends and in summer.
- Check the current green fee: prices change through the year, so never rely on old figures.
- Ask about twilight and 9-hole rates: these are the cheapest ways to play.
- Check the dress code and buggy or trolley hire if you need them.
Kent's public courses are genuinely enjoyable, well cared for and friendly, and they make the game open to everyone. Confirm current prices with each course before you book rather than relying on old figures.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best public golf courses in Kent?
Kent has plenty of public, pay and play courses that welcome visitors and non-members. In the north-west of the county, Lullingstone Park near Eynsford, Birchwood Park at Wilmington and Chelsfield Lakes towards Orpington are accessible favourites. Further out, Broome Park near Canterbury and Boughton near Faversham are enjoyable parkland options, and the Sandwich links welcome visitors at a premium. Check each course's current green fees before you book.
What is a public golf course?
A public or pay and play golf course lets anyone book and play a round by paying a green fee, without joining as a member. These courses are the most flexible and affordable way to play, welcome beginners and casual golfers, and are ideal if you play occasionally and do not want the commitment of an annual membership.
Can you play golf in Kent without being a member?
Yes. Many Kent courses are pay and play or welcome visiting non-members on set days. You book a tee time and pay the green fee. Municipal-style venues such as Lullingstone Park are open to everyone, while some private clubs allow visitors midweek. Always confirm visitor access and the current fee with the course before travelling.
How much does a round of public golf cost in Kent?
Green fees at Kent pay and play courses vary widely by course, day and time, so it is best to check the current price with each venue. Twilight, midweek and 9-hole rates are usually the cheapest, while weekend mornings and premium links such as those at Sandwich cost the most. Booking online in advance often secures a better rate.
Do you need to book a tee time in advance?
For most public courses it is wise to book a tee time ahead, especially at weekends and in summer when they are busiest. Many centres take bookings online or by phone, and reserving in advance both guarantees your slot and often unlocks a cheaper rate than turning up on the day.