Shortlands Golf Club, originally called Beckenham Ladies Golf Club, was founded way back in 1894.
Clara Muriel is believed to have formed the club and she had a handicap score of 10, with her daughter Muriel boasting a handicap of one.
2020 Captain of Shortlands Golf Club, Kevin Rolfe, said their handicaps were a “truly amazing achievement” when you consider what they had to wear and the expected decorum of women in the 19th century.
Since 1894
Ladies Golf
Corsets were compulsory and hats, which had to be tied round the chin to avoid being blown off by the wind, was also a strict requirement.
Women were also prohibited from following through with a swing to more than shoulder height to avoid attention to their bodies.
The Ladies Golf Club was renamed Shortlands Golf Club in 1919 to welcome both men and women. It also became one of the first courses in the UK to be permitted to play on Sundays.
Modern History
A German bomb fell between the third hole and the river in the Second World War, with competitions suspended but the club deciding to continue playing.
The current club house on Ravensbourne Avenue opened in 1973 and in excess of 400 members are currently welcomed.
· present & future ·
A word from our captain
A word from our captain
Prepare for your visit to Shortlands by familiarising yourself with each hole and make the most of your round with our hole-by-hole guide and playing tips provided by our professional, Mark Wood.
We are still growing and have picked lots of new members last year.
We believe one of the keys to the success is the club’s nine-hole/ten-hole course.
People don’t have time to play 18 holes… You can come and play for five or nine and you don’t have to worry about spending a full day playing golf, particularly people with busy lives.
“We are grateful to still be here. Lots of clubs around the area are losing members and going bust. It is sad when you hear that. We are still growing and got 40 odd new members last year.”
Past captains believe one of the keys to success is the club’s nine-hole course.
“People don’t have time to play 18 holes… You can come and play for, five or nine and you don’t have to worry about spending a full day playing golf, particularly people with busy lives.”
