Littlestone Golf Club (Championship Links)

A Links Shaped Across Generations

The Championship Links at Littlestone Golf Club has occupied much of the same Kent ground since 1888. William Laidlaw Purves and professional David Herd shaped the early course, then James Braid added strategic bunkering, including the fairway bunker at the 12th and the cross bunkers at the 16th. Alister MacKenzie followed in 1924 with recommendations that influenced two par threes, several greens, and the eighth hole.

The course lies on the edge of Romney Marsh, with the English Channel forming its distant backdrop. Dry, firm ground produces tight lies and encourages running approaches, while quick greens make distance control difficult. The landscape is relatively open, so the hazards and preferred lines remain visible from the tees.

The 11th brings a canal into the strategy, tempting players to stay close to the left for a shorter route. The final sequence then tightens the pressure: a demanding par-four 16th, a wind-sensitive par-three 17th, and a par-five finish where the drive must find the fairway.