Kent Golf Holidays
The Garden of England hides one of the great links corners of the British Isles: three Open Championship venues, Royal St George's, Royal Cinque Ports and Prince's, share a single stretch of coast around Sandwich and Deal, so a Kent golf holiday can put a links trail to rival anything in the country within an hour of London.
Photo: The Royal St George's Golf Club, Sandwich via Google.
Who it suits
Kent suits the golfer who wants championship links without leaving the southeast, an easy run from London and the Channel ports rather than a long haul north. The headline trio at Sandwich Bay sits so close together that all three can be played from one base over a long weekend, with the towns of Sandwich and Deal supplying the hotels, the pubs and the seafood. It works for a buddies trip, a society or a couple who play.
The marquee is Royal St George's, which has hosted the Open fourteen times since it became the first venue outside Scotland in 1894, most recently in 2021. Next door, Prince's shares a boundary and its own Open history, while Royal Cinque Ports at Deal completes the set just up the coast. Add the quieter links at Littlestone and a heathland round inland, and Kent becomes a compact, serious links week close to home.
Courses to build around
Royal St George's · Sandwich
The jewel of Kent and one of England's greatest links, host of fourteen Opens since 1894, when it became the first venue outside Scotland, most recently in 2021. Huge dunes, blind shots and the deepest bunkers in the British game.
Royal Cinque Ports · Deal
A classic out and back links on Sandwich Bay just up the coast at Deal, host of the Open in 1909 and 1920, exposed, honest and fierce into the wind, a championship test that rewards a flighted ball.
Prince's · Sandwich
Sharing a boundary with Royal St George's, a 27 hole links of three combinable nines, host of the 1932 Open won by Gene Sarazen, restored and stretched into a modern championship layout by the sea.
Littlestone
A quieter, traditional links down the coast toward Romney Marsh, a fine, less crowded round that balances a trip built around the headline trio.
Heathland and parkland
Inland Kent and the wider southeast add heathland and parkland courses for variety and an easier walk, useful for a mixed group or a softer day between the links.
Beyond the round
Kent pairs golf with Canterbury and its cathedral, the white cliffs and castle at Dover, the medieval town of Sandwich, the coast and an easy hop to London or across the Channel.
History verified June 2026 from the clubs and recognized course databases. Royal St George's has hosted fourteen Opens since 1894 and most recently in 2021; Royal Cinque Ports hosted the Open in 1909 and 1920; Prince's hosted the 1932 Open won by Gene Sarazen. These are championship links with strict access and dress codes; tee times and green fees change by season, so each booking is confirmed directly before it is held.
A sample trip, day by day
Arrive at Sandwich Bay
An easy run from London or the Channel ports to a base in Sandwich or Deal, a practice nine and a first pint in a links town pub.
Royal St George's
The marquee round on one of England's greatest links, the dunes, the bunkers and the Open history all on show.
Royal Cinque Ports
The out and back links at Deal just up the coast, a stern test into the wind, then seafood on the front.
Prince's
The 27 holes next door to Royal St George's, three combinable nines and 1932 Open history to close the links swing.
Littlestone, Canterbury and home
A quieter links at Littlestone or a day in Canterbury and Dover, then the short run back to London.
Indicative costs and when to book
| Item | Indicative 2026 |
|---|---|
| Royal St George's green fee | premium championship links, peak, confirm |
| Royal Cinque Ports green fee | premium links, peak, confirm |
| Prince's green fee | premium, peak, confirm |
| Hotel in Sandwich or Deal, per night | indicative, confirm |
| Package per head, links long weekend | indicative, confirm |
Best time to book: the Kent links season runs roughly May to October, firmest and driest in high summer, with spring and early autumn quieter. The championship clubs limit visitor times and ask for handicap certificates, so book several months ahead to line up all three around one weekend. Tee times via our trip enquiry; where to stay via our recommended hotels and resorts.
Plan a Kent golf holiday
Tell us your group size and rough dates, and a concierge will build a Kent links trip around Royal St George's, Royal Cinque Ports and Prince's, with access and tee times handled, costed to the head, with no obligation.
Kent golf holiday questions
Which courses should you play on a Kent golf holiday?
Build around the three Open links at Sandwich Bay: Royal St George's, Prince's, which shares its boundary, and Royal Cinque Ports just up the coast at Deal. They sit so close together that all three can be played from one base over a long weekend. Add the quieter links at Littlestone and a heathland round inland for variety.
Can you play Royal St George's, Royal Cinque Ports and Prince's on one trip?
Yes. The three Open venues share a single stretch of the Kent coast around Sandwich and Deal, with Royal St George's and Prince's sharing a boundary, so all three are easily played from one base over a few days. The championship clubs limit visitor tee times and ask for handicap certificates, so the round order is arranged in advance.
How much does a Kent golf holiday cost?
The three Open links carry premium green fees, while the surrounding hotels and quieter courses are more moderate. A links long weekend with the headline trio, a town hotel and transfers typically sits in the low to mid thousands per head. Figures are indicative for 2026; always confirm directly before booking.
When is the best time for a Kent golf holiday?
The links season runs roughly May to October, with the firmest, fastest conditions in high summer and quieter, often better value golf in spring and early autumn. Because the championship clubs restrict visitor times, book several months ahead to secure all three courses around one weekend.
Related
The Tee Sheet
Tee time windows, course access changes and the trips worth taking. Every other week.
Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Course facts verified June 2026; green fees and package figures indicative for the 2026 season, always confirm directly before booking. Last reviewed June 2026.