Hempstead Forest Golf Club - Cranbrook, Kent.

Well I played it last Thursday with 2 of my Brothers and thoroughly enjoyed it.
And yes it's tough! As Smiffy says, front 9 very tight and back opens up - a bit

The whole course was in super condition and greens were not too fast but tricky to read.
Two stand out holes for me were the 14th and 15th. On 14, I hit a lovely 3 wood to 230yds but unfortunately landed in a divot, managed to hit 7 iron 50yds short of green then wedge pin high on top level of green, only for it to run back down, putted back up but not hard enough and it rolled back again :angry: Ended up with a 7. But a great hole!

15t has the longest carry and took 3off the tee as I didn't quite connect with first drive, but smashed the next well over. With the elevated tee and long carry makes this an intimidating but challenging hole.

I didn't score very well but that wasn't the point of the day as much as spending quality time with my brothers.

A couple of irritating points though, one of my Brothers is Captain of the club he plays at, and usually has privileges of not having to pay at other courses. When this was mentioned in the pro shop the guy said "No, not here as we are a Golf and Country Club, not a Golf Club". Ok not a problem we said, and at only £20 per round not worth worrying about.
I am surprised though, as he made a big thing about "Country Club", and nowhere at the golf course or anything stated on their website does it say anything about it being a Country Club.
We also wanted a lunch after, rather than a breakfast before we started. But the kitchen closed at 3pm and we finished at 3.30 - I suppose partly our fault for not checking beforehand. They did have a lovely Victoria Sponge which we demolished rather smartly!

Overall an enjoyable day and I'd certainly like to go back and play it again.

And I too would call it a "Hidden Gem".

:thup: