The Furrows opened for play in April 2023, transforming a 20-acre parcel on Kingston Heath’s eastern boundary into a classic Sandbelt short course. Designed by OCM (Ogilvy Cocking Mead), the course features nine holes ranging from 50-140 metres, each demanding precision whilst providing accessible paths for players of all abilities.
Mike Cocking, who led the design work, explained the inspiration:
“We wanted to focus on the type of shots that make great courses great—approach shots from 100 metres in. The 2nd, 12th or 18th at St Andrews spring to mind, but we’ve got so many examples in our back yard on the Sandbelt.”
The design philosophy emphasises strategic variety over predictability. Each hole offers 4-5 different ways to play it, with the ground game receiving particular emphasis. The short grass extends all the way back to many tees, so on some holes you could just as easily grab a putter and roll it along the ground.
The Furrows serves as a learning environment where children can develop without feeling overwhelmed, provides a beginner-friendly venue particularly for women and newcomers not intimidated by the championship course, and allows multiple generations to play together. For members, it relieves demand on the existing eighteen holes whilst providing an alternative better suited to changing games.
