Kingsdown is a Downland course which is renowned for its beautiful scenery, generous fairways and superb greens. The excellent drainage makes play possible all year round.
Founded in 1880 it is the oldest Club in Wiltshire
Located just 12 miles from the Junction 17 and 11 miles from Junction 18 of the M4 and only 5 miles from the centre of Bath, Kingsdown Golf Club is easy to get to.
Course Overview
The Downland course is renowned for its beautiful scenery, generous fairways and superb greens. The excellent drainage makes play possible all year round.
The Club’s Green-keepers boast over 100 years of green-keeping experience at Kingsdown alone, ensuring that golf course is always at it’s best.
From the Men’s White Tees, the course, a Par 72, measures 6,501 yards in length.
For the Ladies, the Red Tees boast 5,744 yards and a Par 73.
Course Scorecard
Course Rating and Slope Rating
| Tees | Par | Yardage | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White (Male) | 72 | 6501 | 71.7 | 135 |
| Yellow (Male) | 72 | 6268 | 70.9 | 131 |
| Red (Ladies) | 73 | 5744 | 74.3 | 136 |
Kingsdown Course Planner: Individual Hole Analysis
Hole 1 Par 4
Stroke Index 11
WHITE 376 YARDS | YELLOW 369 YARDS | RED 366 YARDS
With the clubhouse behind you, a broad fairway welcomes your opening drive on this first hole here at Kingsdown.
However the fairway narrows at about 250 yards which means you’ll need an accurate second shot to get you to land on the green – which is not easy – as the entrance is narrow with bunkers ready to catch your ball on either side.
As for the green – it’s pretty flat, with some subtle slopes.
Hole 2 Par 4
Stroke Index 7
WHITE 369 YARDS | YELLOW 340 YARDS | RED 328 YARDS
This 2nd hole is an exciting sharp dog-leg right.
From the tee the long drivers have the advantage as their ball will make it to the corner, which means their second shot into the green is easier.
There is a fairly narrow approach hitting into the green, with 4 bunkers ready to welcome any shot even slightly off-line.
The green slopes towards you, and from left to right.
Hole 3 Par 4
Stroke Index 3
WHITE 425 YARDS | YELLOW 412 YARDS | RED 385 YARDS
A long par 4, you need another long shot to get you up to the green – make sure you hit straight as there are trees both left and right.
A lovely big round green welcomes you which falls right to left – but that’s only once you’ve made it over the 2 bunkers at the very front of the green.
From both the Men and the Ladies tee, there is plenty of fairway to aim at but you might not see where your drive ends up as the fairway slopes away from you.
Hole 4 Par 3
Stroke Index 17
WHITE 144 YARDS | YELLOW 138 YARDS | RED 132 YARDS
The first of the par 3s where an accurate tee shot is essential.
Out of Bounds on the left and deep dips on the right – the result of quarrying here years ago.
The green is seriously undulating too, making all putts very tricky.
Hole 5 Par 5
Stroke Index 5
WHITE 528 YARDS | YELLOW 482 YARDS | RED 472 YARDS
The Longest Par 5 on the course.
From the tee, it is essential to get a long drive away – but be careful your drive doesn’t trickle into the bunker on the right which juts out from the rough.
With trees either side of the fairway, your second shot needs to be accurate – making sure you lay up ahead of the 2 deep bunkers which lie across the fairway.
You’re then in position for your 3rd shot – your approach shot into the green.
The green is guarded by deep bunkers to both the left and right – so aim for the heart of the green.
Hole 6 Par 4
Stroke Index 1
WHITE 412 YARDS | YELLOW 388 YARDS | RED 370 YARDS
A lengthy carry from both the Men’s and Ladies tees.
The drive should be aimed towards the right-hand side of the fairway as there are trees and two fairly large bunkers up the left-hand side – and staying right ‘opens up the green’ for your next shot.
A narrow green at the front with a bunker to the left and right, accuracy is again key on this hole.
Hole 7 Par 4
Stroke Index 15
WHITE 328 YARDS | YELLOW 314 YARDS | RED 299 YARDS
Hole 7 is the shortest of the par 4s but what it lacks in yardage, it makes up for in difficulty.
A fairway with numerous humps and bumps can throw your drive in any direction and only the very long off the tee can hope for a second shot from a flattish lie.
The elevated green slopes towards the fairway except for a narrow plateau at the front of it. Play to the back except for when the pin is on the plateau.
Hole 8 Par 4
Stroke Index 13
WHITE 374 YARDS | YELLOW 349 YARDS | RED 338 YARDS
A sharp dog-leg left, an accurate drive from the tee can get your ball to the corner giving you a good chance of a successful shot into the green. However, the fairway narrows at the two bunkers on the corner.
Be wary of the bunker at the entrance to the green on the left.
Putting is not easy either – as the green falls away in various different directions.
Hole 9 Par 4
Stroke Index 9
WHITE 362 YARDS | YELLOW 349 YARDS | RED 338 YARDS
You need a nice straight drive on this 9th hole as there is a field on the right which is Out of Bounds and anything left falls away and will find scrub.
From the fairway, you need a decent, long 2nd shot to get you up to the green.
The hole is further away than it looks owing to a sizeable hump and hollow in front of it which can prevent your ball from making it to the green.
The green itself is gently sloping with a slight bulge to the left.
A deceptive hole this one.
Hole 10 Par 4
Stroke Index 12
WHITE 356 YARDS | YELLOW 342 YARDS | RED 315 YARDS
A short advantage from the Ladies tee, driving off there’s plenty of landing area for your tee shot but keep to the right hand side of the fairway.
Be careful to avoid the area on the left with bunker-filled hollows.
Directly in front of the green, there is a left-hand bunker which makes your shot into the green challenging as everything falls left to right.
Hole 11 Par 5
Stroke Index 18
WHITE 493 YARDS | YELLOW 490 YARDS | RED 421 YARDS
A healthy advantage off the Ladies tee, there’s a nice wide fairway to welcome your drive.
You’ll need a full-on second shot, keeping the ball to the left of the fairway, which will prevent you being blocked out by the trees on the right.
The green, flatter than it appears to be from a distance, has a narrow entrance and a bunker below on the right.
Once you get there it’s not an easy green to read.
Hole 12 Par 4
Stroke Index 6
WHITE 367 YARDS | YELLOW 362 YARDS | RED 351 YARDS
A tricky hole this – the 12th – from both the Men’s and Ladies tee – where everything slopes from left to right.
So, best to aim your drive as far to the left as you can as it will trickle down into the middle of the fairway.
A slight dog leg right, the green is tucked a long way around a fairly narrow corner with trees on either side.
A kidney shaped green awaits.
Hole 13 Par 4
Stroke Index 2
WHITE 364 YARDS | YELLOW 354 YARDS | RED 243 YARDS
From the Men’s tee here on the 13th there’s a long carry over trees to the fairway – or, a well-directed drive might make it through the gap, flying directly over the Ladies tee which has a big advantage on this hole.
Best to land your drive on the right-hand side of the fairway as everything slopes from right to left.
A difficult shot into the green – probably from a sloping lie – with two bunkers on the right and a tree on the left.
Hole 14 Par 3
Stroke Index 16
WHITE 195 YARDS | YELLOW 193 YARDS | RED 181 YARDS
A slight advantage from the Ladies tee, this 14th hole is the longest of the par 3s.
Bunkers right and left will gather up anything short or slightly wayward.
A fairly wide, two tiered green awaits.
Hole 15 Par 4
Stroke Index 8
WHITE 366 YARDS | YELLOW 352 YARDS | RED 335 YARDS
Whichever tee you drive off, an accurate, straight drive is essential as the fairway is very narrow to begin with – with trees to the left and right.
Staying to the left hand side of the fairway will reduce the green-side bunkers’ influence on your second shot as three lie in wait, one short and one either side.
The green is well sheltered – also tucked in amongst the trees.
Hole 16 Par 5
Stroke Index 4
WHITE 510 YARDS | YELLOW 507 YARDS | RED 409 YARDS
A decent advantage for the ladies on this hole.
Stay on the left hand side, as everything slopes left to right.
A gully cuts across the fairway with 3 ancient burial stones – ‘The 3 Kings’ – jutting out of the ground, at the far right end.
Getting your ball to land – and stay – on the green is not easy, with a right-hand bunker ready to catch any off-target approach shot.
Once on the green it’s a fairly level putting surface.
Hole 17 Par 3
Stroke Index 14
WHITE 155 YARDS | YELLOW 143 YARDS | RED 112 YARDS
A stunning par 3, driving from elevated tees.
It’s essential to be straight off the tee avoiding the woods on all sides. Also, stay clear of the 2 large bunkers which will happily gobble up anything pin-high, but slightly off-line.
Hole 18 Par 4
Stroke Index 10
WHITE 377 YARDS | YELLOW 370 YARDS | RED 300 YARDS
Trees on either side narrow your tee shot options here but once you’ve got your last drive away, a wide landing area awaits.
However, this 18th fairway is full of lumps and bumps due to quarrying from years gone by and there’s also a gully which your drive can easily roll into. Wherever it lies, it makes for an ‘interesting’ next shot – hopefully, onto the green.
The green is well guarded by 4 bunkers.
Once on the green, a couple of putts then it’s off to the clubhouse for a well-earned drink in the bar.
