First Time at Lullingstone Park

Lullingstone Park is a public pay-and-play course in the Darent Valley near Chelsfield, around half an hour from central London and easy to reach from Orpington, Bromley, Sevenoaks and Dartford. You do not need to be a member, and the staff are used to first-timers and occasional golfers turning up for a round. This guide covers the on-the-day questions the booking pages do not: what to wear on the course and in The Lodge, how to behave on the first tee, whether to take a buggy or a trolley, and exactly how to get there and where to park. Sort these out before you arrive and your first visit runs smoothly.

What to wear: the dress code on the course

Lullingstone Park is relaxed by golf standards, but it is still a golf course, so turn up in normal golf clothes rather than gym or casual gear. You will not be turned away for getting it slightly wrong, but dressing the part means one less thing to think about on a first visit. The safe, standard kit for a pay-and-play course like this is simple:

• Top: a collared polo shirt or a smart sports top. In cooler months, a jumper or a golf waterproof over the top is fine.
• Bottoms: tailored trousers or smart shorts. Avoid jeans, tracksuit bottoms and football kit.
• Shoes: golf shoes with soft spikes, or flat-soled trainers if you do not own golf shoes. Leave football boots and walking boots with metal studs at home.
• Weather: Kent parkland gets muddy, so bring a waterproof and a spare pair of socks in autumn and winter.

If you are borrowing or hiring clubs and arriving straight from work, you can change your shoes in the car park and you are good to go. When in doubt, a plain polo shirt and chinos will never look out of place. If you want to be certain before a special occasion or a group day, ring the pro shop on 01959 533793 and ask.

Dressing for The Lodge clubhouse

The Lodge is the clubhouse cafe and bar, with a terrace that looks out over the 18th green. It serves breakfast, light lunches, drinks and sandwiches, and it is open to visitors whether or not you are playing. The good news for first-timers is that it is smart-casual and welcoming: your golf clothes are perfectly fine, and you do not need to change after your round to grab a coffee, a pint or a bite on the terrace. Muddy shoes are the only thing to watch, so give them a knock on the boot scraper or swap into clean trainers before you go inside. It is a genuinely pleasant place to wait for a tee time or to sit out a shower, so factor it into your visit rather than rushing off.

Basic etiquette and pace of play

Golf etiquette sounds intimidating from the outside, but it comes down to two ideas: keep up, and look after the course and the people around you. Nobody expects a beginner to play well. They do expect you to keep moving and to be considerate. Here is what that looks like in practice on your first round:

• Keep pace with the group in front, not ahead of the group behind. If there is a clear hole open in front of you and a group is waiting behind, wave them through.
• Be ready to play when it is your turn. Pick your club and line while others are hitting, not after.
• Repair the course. Replace divots, repair your pitch marks on the green with a tee or a repair tool, and rake the bunker after you have played out of it.
• Stay still and quiet while a playing partner is over the ball, and stand out of their eyeline.
• If you lose a ball, do not search for ever. Drop another, take the penalty, and keep the round moving.

If 18 holes feels like a lot for a first outing, the 9-hole Valley course is a gentler, quicker introduction, and there is less pressure on pace. When you are ready for the full layout, the 18-hole championship course is the main event.

Buggies, trolleys and club hire

You have three ways to get your clubs round the course, and the right one depends on your fitness, the weather and how much you want to carry. Lullingstone Park offers both buggy and trolley hire, so you do not need to own any of this kit to play.

• Buggy hire: a two-seater electric buggy is the easy option, especially on a hilly parkland course or for anyone who would struggle to walk 18 holes. Buggies are limited and popular, so book one in advance with the pro shop rather than hoping one is free when you arrive.
• Trolley hire: a pull or powered trolley saves your back while you still walk the round. Trolleys are usually easier to pick up on the day, but a quick call ahead confirms it.
• Carrying: if you are reasonably fit and travelling light, carrying a half set is fine and is the cheapest option.

If you do not have your own clubs, ask the pro shop about hire sets when you book. A first-timer does not need a full bag of fourteen clubs, so a small hire set or a borrowed half set is plenty to get round. To reserve a buggy, a hire set and your tee time in one call, see our guide on how to book a tee time, then ring 01959 533793.

Warm up on the range and pitch and putt

Do not let your first swing of the day be on the first tee with people watching. Lullingstone Park has a covered driving range that works in most weather, so you can loosen up and hit a few balls before you play. It is also where the lessons run, so it is a friendly place for a complete beginner to start. Half a bucket of balls is enough to find a rhythm before your round.

There is also a pitch and putt course, which is the lowest-pressure golf on the site. It is ideal for juniors, families and anyone trying golf for the first time, and you can play it without booking a full round. If you are bringing someone who has never held a club, an hour on the pitch and putt is a better introduction than throwing them straight onto 18 holes.

Getting there: directions from London and Kent

Lullingstone Park Golf Course is at Parkgate Road, Chelsfield, Orpington, Kent BR6 7PX, tucked into the countryside near junction 4 of the M25. Despite feeling rural, it is quick to reach from the suburbs and from London:

• From central London: roughly half an hour by car via the A20 and the M25, traffic allowing.
• From Orpington and Bromley: a short drive south through Chelsfield and Well Hill, well signed once you are off the main roads.
• From Sevenoaks: north towards the M25, then onto the country lanes around Well Hill.
• From Dartford: west along the M25 to junction 4, then follow the local roads towards Chelsfield.

The final stretch is along narrow lanes, so set your sat nav to the BR6 7PX postcode and take it steadily on the approach. The lanes can be tight where they cross the country park, and the entrance sits at the end of Parkgate Road.

Parking and arriving

There is a free on-site car park at the course, so you do not have to worry about finding a space or paying a meter. Aim to arrive twenty to thirty minutes before your tee time. That gives you room to park, change your shoes, sort out a trolley or buggy, check in at the pro shop and warm up without rushing. The car park also serves the wider Lullingstone Country Park, so it can be busy on sunny weekends with walkers and families, which is one more reason to leave a little extra time on your first visit.

A quick recap before your first round

Wear a collared polo, tailored trousers or shorts and golf shoes or flat trainers, and keep the same smart-casual look for a coffee on The Lodge terrace afterwards. Book a buggy ahead if you want one, sort a trolley or a hire set, and warm up on the range or the pitch and putt instead of the first tee. Set the sat nav to BR6 7PX, use the free car park, and arrive twenty to thirty minutes early. On the course, just keep up and look after the place, and you will fit right in. For green fees, opening times and full visitor details, see the Lullingstone Park Golf Course homepage, the green fees and tee booking guide, or ring the pro shop on 01959 533793. The course is run by Everyone Golf, which lists the current facilities and opening hours.

Frequently asked questions

What is the dress code at Lullingstone Park golf course?

Lullingstone Park is a relaxed pay-and-play course, but normal golf attire is expected on the course: a collared polo shirt or a smart top, tailored trousers or shorts, and proper golf shoes or flat-soled trainers. Avoid football shirts, vests, denim and metal spikes. In The Lodge clubhouse, smart-casual is fine and your golf clothes are welcome. If you are unsure, ring the pro shop on 01959 533793 before you set off.

Can I hire a golf buggy or trolley at Lullingstone Park?

Yes. Buggy hire and trolley hire are both available at Lullingstone Park. Buggies are popular and limited in number, so book one in advance with the pro shop on 01959 533793 rather than hoping for one on the day. Trolleys, pull and powered, are usually easier to pick up on arrival, but a quick call ahead confirms availability.

How do I get to Lullingstone Park golf course and is there parking?

The course is at Parkgate Road, Chelsfield, Orpington, Kent BR6 7PX, near junction 4 of the M25. It is about half an hour from central London and an easy drive from Orpington, Bromley, Sevenoaks and Dartford. There is a free on-site car park, so allow a few minutes to park, change your shoes and check in at the pro shop before your tee time.

Do I need to be a member to play at Lullingstone Park?

No. Lullingstone Park is a public pay-and-play course, so visitors and non-members are welcome. You simply pay a green fee for the round you want, the 18-hole championship course or the 9-hole Valley course. It is a good first course because the staff are used to beginners and casual golfers.

What should a first-time golfer do before teeing off?

Arrive twenty to thirty minutes early, check in at the pro shop, and warm up on the covered driving range or the pitch and putt rather than hitting your first ball on the first tee. Keep up with the group in front, let faster groups play through, and repair your pitch marks and rake bunkers. The 9-hole Valley course is a gentle place to start if 18 holes feels like a lot.

Is there a driving range and pitch and putt at Lullingstone Park?

Yes. Lullingstone Park has a covered driving range that works in most weather and a pitch and putt course. Both are good warm-up options before a round and a low-pressure way for beginners, juniors and families to play. You can use them without booking a full round.