A small county, three distinct clubs
Bexley doesn't pretend to be a golfing destination in the way that counties with dozens of courses can claim to be. What it offers instead is a tight cluster of three clubs across Barnehurst, Bexleyheath and Sidcup, each with its own character, all within easy reach of central London and the M25. For club golfers who live or work in this part of south-east London, that proximity counts for a lot: you can finish a round and be home, or back at your desk, within the hour.
The county's golf sits at the point where London's suburbs give way to the Kent countryside, and the courses reflect that in-between quality. Mature trees, quiet lanes and the odd stretch of open parkland define the landscape rather than any dramatic terrain, which suits golfers who want a straightforward, well-maintained round without travelling far to find one.
Sidcup's parkland pedigree
Sidcup Golf Club is the standout for anyone interested in course design. James Braid laid out this 18-hole parkland course, and his fingerprints are still visible in the routing among the mature oaks that line the fairways. Water comes into play more than you might expect from a suburban course of this era, with the River Shuttle running through the grounds and a series of lakes adding genuine risk to several holes. It's the kind of layout where local knowledge of the water hazards matters as much as raw length off the tee, and it remains the county's clearest example of a proper parkland test.
Braid's involvement gives Sidcup a pedigree that punches above its weight for a club tucked into the London suburbs, and it's worth seeking out if classic inland design interests you more than modern resort-style golf.
Bexleyheath's nine-hole test and Barnehurst
Bexleyheath Golf Club takes a different approach entirely. Its nine-hole course sits beside the A2, and the men's card is built around six par 3s, ten par 4s and two par 5s over a full round, which makes for a layout that rewards accuracy with short and mid irons rather than power. It's a club that leans into its accessibility, actively welcoming visitors, corporate days and society bookings, so it's a sensible choice for golfers wanting a relaxed game or a group outing without the formality some larger clubs impose.
Barnehurst Golf Club completes the trio, based in the town of the same name. There isn't a great deal of detail published about its layout, but its presence rounds out Bexley's offering and gives golfers in the borough a third option within a few miles of the other two.
Planning a visit
Because the county's golf is concentrated in three towns so close together, it's realistic to sample more than one course in a single trip if you're visiting from further afield. Sidcup suits those after a traditional parkland round with genuine design interest, while Bexleyheath offers something quicker and more sociable, particularly if you're organising a society day and want a welcoming, low-fuss host club. Barnehurst sits alongside them as the local option for golfers based in that part of the borough.
None of these courses will draw golfers from across the country the way a links championship venue might, but that's not really the point in Bexley. This is golf built around convenience and community, serving the towns it sits in rather than chasing wider reputation, and for anyone living in south-east London it's a useful, well-placed set of options to have on the doorstep.