Prince’s Golf Club in Kent has announced the creation of a new 18-hole championship composite course, The Laddie, created in collaboration with The R&A and architects Mackenzie & Ebert.
The course brings together the best holes from the Sandwich-based club’s existing nine-hole layouts – The Himalayas, Shore and Dunes.
Prince’s will allow golfers to experience the new routing – encompassing a selection of the best aspects of all three nines – at select times in the year. It will serve as the layout for select future championships hosted by Prince’s. The club is due to host Final Qualifying for The Open from 2027 and the Walker Cup in 2030.
Named ‘The Laddie’, the championship course pays tribute to P B ‘Laddie’ Lucas, one of Prince’s most celebrated figures and a man whose life and legacy are deeply entwined with the club.
Born at Prince’s and raised on the Kent links, Lucas went on to become a distinguished amateur golfer and RAF pilot. During World War II, after sustaining heavy damage to his Spitfire, he navigated back to Prince’s Golf Club using his knowledge of the coastline and course, landing safely on the links – a remarkable moment that cemented his place in the club’s history.
The layout draws from all three of Prince’s renowned nine-hole loops, featuring five holes from The Himalayas, six from The Shore and seven from The Dunes. The routing is further defined by a series of challenging par 4s that demand precision from the tee and strategic approach play, adding to the course’s championship test.
“The goal of ‘The Laddie’ is to create a home for championship golf at Prince’s while maintaining the essence of the whole property,” says Rob McGuirk, general manager of Prince’s Golf Club. “We believe we created something very special here and this specific routing will not only look to be among the best in the United Kingdom, but across the world.”
The composite course follows investment to restored natural sandscrapes, extended fairways and surrounds, and refined rough management, delivering firmer, faster links conditions while honouring Prince’s pre-war heritage which resulted in the club receiving England’s ‘Golf Course of the Year’ award in 2025.
Off the course, Prince’s investment has spanned the entire facility. Most recently, the club completed an extensive clubhouse refurbishment, elevating the arrival and hospitality experience for members and guests.
Enhancements across the venue also include Toptracer technology on the driving range, an Odyssey putting studio, and the upcoming revitalisation of the club’s on-site accommodation, The Lodge at Prince’s, which provides 38 en-suite bedrooms and premium stay-and-play offerings.
“We believe the creation of ‘The Laddie’ is another crucial step towards Prince’s reaching its true potential as a golf destination,” continues McGuirk. “Over the past decade, we have transformed our facility into a well-rounded escape for golf aficionados and travellers alike.”