Golf courses in Sussex (part one)

With Sussex boasting some amazing countryside and knowing that many of you out there are keen golfers with many of you actually being quite good, whilst some of you are more proficient in ‘military golf’, namely left right left right, I thought it might be helpful to detail some of the recommended (not all!) private and public courses in our fair county, starting in East Sussex.

East Sussex National

There are two courses at East Sussex National. The East has hosted the European Open but essentially this is a 36-hole course with an 18 hole (7138 yards) East course and (7154 yards) West Course.

“Robert E Cupp, an American course architect who was regularly hired by Jack Nicklaus, designed the 2 courses together with the 3 hole academy course with USGA specification… since opening, the club has attracted a host of championships, which include the European Open in 1993 and 1994, 5 European Challenge Tour Events, 4 PGA European Tour Qualifying Schools between 1994 and 1997 plus numerous other golf tournaments, including Open Qualifying and the Sky televised, 2016 PGA European event.” 

Green fees: from £60
www.eastsussexnational.co.uk 

Royal Ashdown Forest

Ashdown Park, East Sussex is an 18-hole, par 68 (5606 yards), private, parkland golf course and it’s known for not featuring any bunkers.

“Golf courses in East Sussex can be challenging, but few are as beautiful to play as the stunning 18-hole, par 3 course at Ashdown Park.”

The golf course is open every day from 9am – 4pm with a special rate of £15 per person, per round.

www.ashdownpark.com/sussex-golf-course

Crowborough Beacon

Crowborough is located at the highest point in Sussex and boasts superb views of the surrounding countryside and this Club is an 18-hole, par 71 (6319 yards), private, heathland golf course.

“Founded in 1895, the dramatic heathland setting of Crowborough Beacon Golf Club has an unrivalled position on one of the highest points in Sussex, enjoying far-reaching views to the sea 22 miles away. The golf course has been influenced by two legendary golf course Architects, Harry S.Colt and Dr. Alister Mackenzie.”

Green fees: from £50
www.cbgc.co.uk

West Hove Golf Club

“West Hove is an 18-hole, par 70 (6253 yards), private, downland golf course established in 1910. The course is laid out over rolling chalk downland and is a challenging par 70. Being in one of the warmest and driest parts of the country, coupled with the chalk terrain, the course is almost always playable.” In 2006 West Hove was proud to be the first Club in Sussex, and only the second in the country, to be awarded the prestigious GolfMark Award.

Green fees: from £45
www.westhovegolfclub.com

Seaford Golf Club

Seaford overlooks the English Channel and offers great views across the South Downs with an 18-hole, par 69 (6546 yards), private, downland golf course designed by J H Taylor back in 1907.

“Seaford Blatchington, as the club is referred to locally, is a Sussex gem and one of the finest downland courses in the country set in a particularly beautiful part of the South Downs. A delight to play and always a challenge but never too daunting, it will reward accurate ball-strikers who maintain concentration and treat every hole with respect.”

Green fees: from £35
www.seafordgolfclub.co.uk