Canterbury Golf Club

Great Harry Colt Square

4.0 of 5 starsReviewed September 7, 2026

In early September 2026, we had the opportunity to play Canterbury. We found the twilight green fee of £35 to be exceptionally fair – a round on a course with this history is rarely available at such a price.
The unusually dry summer was clearly visible on the course. Fairways and other areas had suffered, so the course certainly couldn't reach its full potential. However, we encountered similar conditions almost everywhere. Therefore, in my opinion, it would be wrong to hold this against the club.
A major reason for our visit was Harry Colt. I particularly appreciate his courses because their quality doesn't depend solely on length or spectacular individual moments. At Canterbury, too, many challenges arise from the combination of several shots: a seemingly good lie can prove unfavorable for the approach shot, while a deliberately chosen line from the tee is later rewarded. The course demands attention and sound decisions without always revealing its intentions immediately. This is precisely the kind of golf I enjoy.
My clear number one is hole 12. It has a special atmosphere and was the highlight of my round. Hole 17 comes in second, demanding a bold and precisely measured full shot towards the end. Hole 11 takes third place for me. I particularly liked the multi-tiered green there: hitting the center of the green is far from the end of the challenge if the ball ends up on the wrong level.
Since Colt's time, the terrain has changed considerably due to the growth of trees. As a result, some former playing corridors and connections may be less clearly recognizable today. At the same time, the trees have long since become an integral part of Canterbury's atmosphere and identity. To consider them solely as obstacles to golf would not do justice to their significance.
In my view, a historical site doesn't need to be restored to a supposedly original state at all costs. Where interventions are truly necessary, they should be assessed individually, taking into account the site's architecture, tree health, and ecology. Removing trees primarily to mitigate the consequences of inaccurate pruning would, in my opinion, be the wrong approach. Given that large parts of the area are under special protection, a restrained and carefully justified approach to the existing trees is all the more crucial.
We were less impressed with the Toptracer range. The price for the practice balls seemed disproportionately high, especially compared to the very reasonable green fee. The teeing areas were also, in our opinion, too close together. When taking a full swing with the driver, we were left with the uncomfortable feeling of not having enough space.
These criticisms did little to change our overall positive impression. Canterbury is a varied and mentally challenging golf course where we had a lot of fun. We would love to come back.

Translated by Google.