Many golfers dream of having a putting green in the garden or even a course on their doorstep where they can squeeze in a quick round.

But Paul Foston had a vision to create a centre of excellence which would complement his skills as a golf coaching professional.

And he’s spared no expense, with the 19th-century property in Smarden now boasting two greens, a Splash bunker, a 6ft high St Andrew’s-style Revetted bunker, an undulating short game area and a state-of-the-art indoor simulator.

The couple have put the period house on the market for £2.25 million and few could argue the price tag isn’t justified.

Angela recalls how they bought the property in Chessenden Lane just 10 months after meeting in the late 90s.

“As I was moving from Hertfordshire, I wanted to be somewhere more rural than where Paul lived in Bearsted,” she said.

“Having seen a small ad for Appletrees, I went to view it whilst Paul was working and immediately fell in love with it. We placed an offer without Paul having actually seen it for fear of losing the sale.

“It was like a little oasis, so quiet and in the garden, it’s like you're in the middle of nowhere, but you step out, and there is village life on your doorstep.”

Paul was already a successful golf instructor and had coached a number of professionals to winning 11 Open Tour victories, including Kent’s Paul Way, who was also part of Europe’s Ryder Cup winning team in 1985.

After years of his lessons being regularly scuppered by the unpredictable British weather, he saw an opportunity to make the most of his new home and converted a Normandy barn in its grounds into an indoor practice facility.

Known as a pioneer in indoor facilities, his primary mission was to have somewhere dry to teach. He was always at the mercy of the weather and constantly lost lessons while also having to share facilities with other golfers when trying to teach.

"At a club, if you were coming for a putting or chipping lesson, I’d be sharing the green with everybody - it’s not very private, and you wouldn’t be able to take your time in a public environment.

“Practice facilities have always been an afterthought when designing a golf course, never an integral part of the infrastructure.

“When we bought Appletrees, I just had this vision of what a fabulous place to learn. We thought it would probably just be a winter thing and perhaps a holiday let during the summer, but thankfully, that was never needed.

“It was said at the time it would be a disaster coming off a golf course, but apart from on-course playing lessons, I haven’t been back since to teach - it's been a huge success.”

Paul continued to develop the site, introducing a number of new facilities as part of his golf academy, including a 1,800 sq ft green that players can take shots at from various vantage points 50 yards and within.

Almost 20 years after its launch, it continues to go from strength to strength, with Paul delivering about 1,000 lessons a year and enjoying a global audience thanks to an app he and Angela developed during the Covid pandemic.

My Golf Masterclass App has 65 5-minute videos that teach Golfers every shot they will experience on the course, as well as course strategy and mental strength development. The app enables golfers to have a lesson with me 24/7, wherever they are in the world," said Paul.

“It also brings in an international clientele to Smarden; we’ve had two from America over this month. I have one from Singapore next month and last month, someone from India.”

Although the couple have enjoyed their 24 years at Appletrees, Paul wishes to step back from the intensity of his Coaching.

Paul adds: “I’ll not stop Coaching altogether, but it is time for me to work less, play more, and travel a bit, too.”

They plan to move to Berkshire to be closer to family and friends.

Standing on the balcony on the top floor of Appletrees, overlooking the grounds and the glittering stream that disappears into the distance, Angela reflects on the couple's time in Kent, drawing to a close.

“Appletrees has had just five owners since 1890, and we have all made significant, transformative changes that have made our home a wonderful place to live and work”, she said.

“For someone new, the world really is your oyster; the space could be used in a number of ways; it offers a perfect practice facility for a Tour Player, a fabulous teaching facility for a coach or a sporting playground for a mad keen golf enthusiast.

However, it could also be a place for multi-generational living; there's a fabulous office large enough for 5-6 desks, great train connections for the commuter or it could be suitable for a completely different business initiative; it's just a case of thinking outside the box.

“It’s time to pass it on to someone else who can take their energy and put their stamp on it.

“It’s a house that when people come in, you almost feel the love for it; you just want to enjoy the splendour of it, but the fun of it as well - it’s brought a lot of happiness over the years.

“Who knows what the next 10 to 15 years may bring to this lovely home.”

For more information, contact Black Cygnet Properties.