Sevenoaks in Kent provides the setting for one of the counties most scenic courses, Knole Park. The course was designed in 1924 and was cleverly sculpted into the heavily undulating landscape. The old clubhouse looks out over the 1st and 18th and in the summer is an idyllic spot just to sit and have a drink. But that would be to miss out on a unique and interesting challenge.

You won't fail to notice the deer that wander this huge expanse of land unperturbed by golfers or golf balls. The opening hole is a tough up hill par 3 to a sloping green guarded by bunkers to the left and a huge drop to the right. Reach for a three iron and impress everyone watching from the clubhouse - either that or slice one into an abyss of bracken and long clumpy grass.

Changes in elevation come thick and fast at Knole park and its easy to miss judge approach shots and find yourself pathetically short or comically long. But get your short game in tune with the fast, true greens and a good score really is on the cards. The 11th hole is a par 4 that offers two options off the tee. Play safe to the left with a three wood or blast your way through a narrow gap in the trees to the right and leave yourself a short iron in to the green.

Best Hole: It might not be the toughest hole on the course but you''l love the challenge of 15. A long par 5 with trees to the right and a difficult approach shot to a green set high up.

Neil Tappin
Editor

In July 2023, Neil became just the 9th editor in Golf Monthly's 112-year history. Originally working with the best coaches in the UK to produce instruction content, he has also presented many Golf Monthly videos looking at all areas of the game from Tour player interviews to the rules of golf. 

Throughout his time with the brand he has also covered equipment launches that date back well over a decade. He clearly remembers the launch of the Callaway and Nike square drivers as well as the white TaylorMade driver families, such as the RocketBallz! If you take a look at the Golf Monthly YouTube channel, you'll see his equipment videos dating back over a decade! He has also conducted 'What's In The Bag' interviews with many of the game's best players like Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson and Jon Rahm. Over the years, Neil has tested a vast array of products in each category and at drastically different price-points. 


Neil is currently playing: Driver: TaylorMade Stealth Plus Fairway Wood: Titleist TSR2 Hybrid: Titleist TS3 Irons: PING Blueprint S (4&5), PING Blueprint T (6-PW) Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM7 50˚, 54˚, 60˚ Putter: Odyssey Triple Track Ten Ball: Titleist Pro V1X