Golf Courses Near Dartford and Swanley: A Player's Roundup

If you are looking for golf courses near Dartford and Swanley, this corner of north-west Kent has an unusually good spread, from historic members' clubs to friendly pay and play venues and a championship-standard estate. Whether you want a serious parkland test, a relaxed round with no membership, or somewhere to bring a beginner, there is a course to suit within a short drive. Here is an honest roundup of where to play, with a note on visitor access for each.

Always confirm visitor days, green fees and any handicap requirements with each club before you set out, as policies change through the year.

Dartford Golf Club

Established in 1897 and redesigned by five-time Open champion James Braid in 1936, Dartford Golf Club is the area's classic heathland-style parkland course, set among the villages of Bexley, Wilmington and Swanley just off the A2. It is primarily a members' club but welcomes visitors on certain days, usually weekdays and by arrangement, often with a handicap certificate. For a proper, traditional test near the town, it is the standout. Contact the pro shop ahead to check availability.

Birchwood Park Golf & Country Club

At Wilmington, just outside Dartford, Birchwood Park is the most accessible option for casual play. It offers two courses, an 18-hole main course and a 9-hole short course, plus a driving range and coaching, and it welcomes pay and play golfers of all levels. Easily reached from the A2 and M25, it is a good choice for a flexible round, a lesson, or bringing along a newer player.

Corinthian Golf Club

Out towards Fawkham, east of Swanley, Corinthian Golf Club is a parkland course set within a wider sports club, a pleasant and less crowded alternative to the busier venues near the town. Check its current visitor and green fee arrangements before booking, as with any club of this kind.

The London Golf Club

For a step up in prestige, The London Golf Club near West Kingsdown, beyond Swanley, is one of Kent's premier venues, with two championship-standard courses and a strong tournament pedigree. It is more exclusive and priced accordingly, but worth knowing about for a special round or a corporate day. Access is more restricted, so enquire directly about visitor play.

Lullingstone Park: the affordable all-rounder

A short drive south of Swanley, Lullingstone Park is the area's leading public, pay and play course, and the most budget-friendly way to get a full-length round. It has an 18-hole Championship course of around 6,713 yards to a par of 72, a shorter 9-hole Valley course that suits beginners, and a floodlit driving range. No membership or handicap is needed, so you simply book and play. See our green fees page for current rates.

Which course should you choose?

• A traditional members' test: Dartford Golf Club, on a visitor day.
• Flexible pay and play or a lesson: Birchwood Park or Lullingstone Park.
• A quieter parkland round: Corinthian Golf Club near Fawkham.
• A prestige occasion: The London Golf Club near West Kingsdown.
• Best value and beginner-friendly: Lullingstone Park, pay and play with a range.

Wherever you play, the golden rule is the same: check visitor access, green fees and any handicap requirement with the club first. If you want a genuinely affordable round with no strings, start with us. Read more on our about page, compare nearby options in our guide to golf courses near Bromley, or head back to the Lullingstone Park homepage.

Frequently asked questions

What golf courses are near Dartford and Swanley?

The area is well served. Dartford Golf Club and Birchwood Park Golf & Country Club sit close to Dartford itself, Corinthian Golf Club is near Fawkham to the east, and The London Golf Club lies out towards West Kingsdown. Lullingstone Park is a short drive south and offers an affordable pay and play round. Between them they cover members' clubs, pay and play courses and a driving range.

Where can you play pay and play golf near Dartford?

Birchwood Park at Wilmington is a welcoming pay and play venue with an 18-hole main course, a 9-hole short course and a driving range, and Lullingstone Park a little further south is a public pay and play course with two layouts. Both are open to non-members and are good places to play without joining a club.

Can visitors play at Dartford Golf Club?

Dartford Golf Club is primarily a members' club but welcomes visitors on certain days, usually weekdays and by arrangement, often with a handicap certificate. As with any members' course, contact the pro shop in advance to check availability, green fees and any requirements before you turn up.

Which is the most affordable golf near Dartford?

Public pay and play courses are usually the cheapest way to play, with no membership required. Lullingstone Park and the short course at Birchwood Park are good value options, and twilight or off-peak tee times bring the cost down further. Always check the current green fees with each venue.

Do you need a handicap to play golf near Dartford?

Not everywhere. Pay and play courses such as Lullingstone Park and Birchwood Park welcome players without an official handicap, so you can simply book and play. Some members' clubs ask visitors for a handicap certificate, so check each club's policy before booking a round.