An A-Z of course reviews within the Sussex area that I have played. For more details about the course (and my round) , click the Review link in each title.

Ashdown West Review

The ‘little brother’ of the two bunkerless courses at Royal Ashdown Forest Golf Club, the West course when created over 100 years ago was only the second ladies course in the country following Sunningdale Ladies. Now able to be enjoyed by everyone (including those short of time thanks to the club’s innovative 12 hole option!), the course offers a challenging heathland experience, despite the lack of sand. Small greens and uneven fairways ensure that your ball striking has to be near perfect to score well.

Avisford Park Golf Club Review

A tale of two distinct loops of 9 at this friendly course just west of Arundel. The front 9 is fairly short and flat, and definitely emphasises position rather than distance, with a few tree lined par 4s. The back 9 is a little wider in places, and definitely more undulating, which will challenge shot making a little more. Keep an eye out for lots of interesting sculptures – a quirky feature!

Brighton & Hove Golf Club Review

A thoroughly enjoyable 9 hole course nestled in the South Downs on the outskirts of Brighton & Hove. Two sets of tees make a different challenge when played as 18.

Chartham Park Golf & Country Club Review

A modern, resort style layout that still manages to ooze character and class. Whilst not the longest course, plenty of water hazards and wooded areas are positioned to punish errant shots and can soon help to rack up a score!

Copthorne Golf Club Review

A bit of a ‘hidden gem’ for me. This heathland classic winds its way through Copthorne Common, with holes framed perfectly by rows of trees, and intersected with many ditches to keep the golfer on their toes. A flat and easy walk, don’t expect ranging views over the Sussex countryside, but expect a thoroughly enjoyable round at a challenging, yet fun course, in excellent condition.

Cottesmore Hotel & Golf Club – Griffin Coure Review

A friendly, family owned leisure complex with 27 holes, Hotel and Spa. A parkland gem situated near Pease Pottage, just off the M23.

Crowborough Beacon Golf Club Review

This heathland classic, situated at one of the highest points in Sussex, offers extensive views across the Weald and beyond, and has a fantastic mix of holes from short par 3s, to risk reward par 4s, to long and tight dogleg par 5s. The elevation changes can make the course a tough walk, but the views more than make up for it! Don’t forget to bring your camera!

Cuckfield Golf Centre Review

9 hole course offering two sets of tees per hole to add variety if played as an 18. Short, open and playable, Cuckfield Golf Centre is a great option for beginners, practice or those looking for a quick 9 holes.

Dale Hill Hotel and Golf Club – Ian Woosnam Course Review

The newer and longer of the two courses at Dale Hill, the course offers an interesting layout, with a number of attractive holes, either tree lined or framed by long wispy rough, overlooking the Sussex Countryside. My pick of the two at Dale Hill.

Dale Hill Hotel and Golf Club – Old Course Review

The Old Course at Dale Hill is the shorter and more friendly of the two courses, and has a distinct parkland feel for the most part, which at times can be fairly uninspiring (mainly on the front nine). The course grew on me on the back nine, as it moves through tree lined sections. At just over 5500 yards, it is most definitely a course where placement and accuracy will be better placed than raw power.

Dyke Golf Club Review

The standout course for me within the immediate vicinity of Brighton & Hove, offering 18 holes always in great condition due to its location up on the Downs, and views for miles across the city and out to the English Channel.

East Brighton Golf Club Review

A quirky, yet challenging course situated as expected, to the east of Brighton. Hilly and exposed, it is definitely a good work out, but fantastic views (and a cute little half way house) more than make up for it.

East Sussex National Golf Club – East Course Review

Of the two courses at the fantastic venue near Uckfield, my preference of is the East. For a course only 30 years or so old, it feels very mature with tall trees, thick grown in rough, and water coming into play on a number of holes. A championship length course (and former host of the European Open), expect a tough test!

East Sussex National Golf Club – West Course Review

One of two courses at Sussex’s premier golf and leisure venue, the West Course offers a championship length, resort style course, with mature trees, plenty of hazards, and equally as many tight and challenging tee shots! The service is unlike anything else in Sussex (and very reminiscent of courses in America), which makes for a fantastic experience.

Eastbourne Downs Golf Club  Review

Perched high above Eastbourne within the South Downs National Park, Eastbourne Downs offers fantastic vistas of the National Park, as well as views out over Eastbourne and beyond out to sea. Whilst the views alone are nearly worth the green fee, the course is pleasant, but challenging, and offers a nice variety of holes.

Golf at Goodwood – Downs Course Review

Another Sussex venue boasting 36 holes, the main Downs course at Golf at Goodwood offers as one would expect, a classic Sussex Downland experience, which is further enhanced by the little touches – racing style striped apex’s on the cart paths, to their famous ‘Woody’ buggies. The course itself is challenging, but picturesque. Definitely a first class experience!

Golf at Goodwood – Park Course

The lesser known of the 36 holes at Goodwood, the Park course offered a surprisingly enjoyable and playable round of parkland style golf. A great option as a warm up round for the Downs course,

Ham Manor Golf Club Review

Recent renovation and redesign of the course (swapping the two nines around) has set up a special finishing hole overlooked by the majestic clubhouse. Parkland course set within a gated community in the west of the county gives the course a premium feel which wouldn’t seem out of place in parts of the USA.

Hassocks Golf Club Review

A decent value option with very reasonable green fees, but I felt that lots of the holes felt quite samey unfortunately.

Haywards Heath Golf Club Review

Compact, undulating course laid out under the guidance of renowned course architect James Braid, situated on the outskirts of the town, with tree lined fairways and small greens providing plenty of challenge, and ensuring accuracy is required at all times! Well worth a look.

Hill Barn Golf Club Review

Rising up into the South Downs National Park from the outskirts of Worthing, Hill Barn Golf Club is a fun, yet challenging course, that is in fantastic condition. Offers plenty of stunning views out to sea on a clear day, as well as a decent mix of holes. Well worth a visit!

Hollingbury Park Golf Club Review

Council owned ex-championship course located within the conurbation of Brighton & Hove. I have to say I was a little disappointed with the course, as I was expecting an interesting layout in average condition, and more so got an average layout in average condition! Plenty of alternative options in the area…

Horsham Golf and Fitness – Oaks Course Review

27 hole facility with extensive covered and floodlit driving range. Starting with possibly one of my favourite opening holes I have played in the county, I had high hopes, but the newer section of the course feels very samey and without character. A little disappointing.

Ifield Golf & Country Club Review

An attractive parkland course just west of Crawley, offering mature trees, sweeping fairways and some challenging green complexes. Perhaps a little on the expensive side given the other choices available in the area.

Lewes Golf Club Review

Another fantastic course situated on the South Downs. The course offers some of the best views over the Downs and the Weald, and is also great fun to play due to the mix of holes available.

Lindfield Golf Club Revivew

Arguably one of the best value options within the county (I managed to get a tee time for £9 through www.teeofftimes.co.uk), Lindfield GC offers 18 holes of parkland golf on a fairly short (<6000 yards) but narrow course. Despite being narrow, the course is relatively simple with flat greens and few hazards, and would be perfect for golfers of all abilities looking to get some practice in, to prepare themselves for some of the counties greater tests!

Lingfield Park Golf Club Review

Set alongside the racecourse of the same name, the extensive practice areas are dominated by the view of the Marriott hotel which overlooks the pair, giving the place a high end feel. Despite having a number of interesting holes, the course is not able to compete with some of the other parkland courses in the area in terms of quality and condition.

Mannings Heath Golf Club – Waterfall Course Review

Upon arrival at Mannings Heath Golf Club, the place oozes with class. The route in from the A23 (just ~10 minutes from the Handcross Junction) gives you tantalizing glimpses of the course through the trees. The course continues to get better throughout the round after getting going with the beautiful ‘Punchbowl’ par 3 5th. The course has a number of memorable holes, with plenty that set up perfectly for matchplay. The course was far hillier than I expected… be prepared for plenty of elevation changes either off the tee or with your approach shots!

Mannings Heath Golf Club – Kingfisher Course Review

The accompanying 9-hole companion to the Waterfall course at Mannings Heath is the Kingfisher. Still showing signs of its former life as an 18 hole course before the estate expanded its vineyards across the course. A fairly gentle test, but a well conditioned course playable at good value makes the Kingfisher course great for a practice round.

Mid Sussex Golf Club Review

Situated just north of the Downs, near Ditchling, it is a fairly flat, easy walking course for those looking for a bit of a rest from hill walking! Enough interesting holes to make it worth a visit.

Peacehaven Golf & Fitness Review

Quirky and short 9 hole facility situated in the Downs just north of Peacehaven. Plays longer and more difficult than the yardage suggests when the wind gets up, and offers a very good value option for practicing uneven lies!

Piltdown Golf Club Review

Bunkerless layout situated near Uckfield, where challenge is created through the use of strategically placed patches of heather. A really interesting concept and fun course to play, which offers spectacular photos when the heather is in full bloom. I look forward to returning.

Pyecombe Golf Club Review

Another one of my favourite courses close to Brighton, it offers a great alternative to some of the other courses in the area. The course offers a few good birdie opportunities, but equally as many holes that can turn around and bite you!

Rookwood Golf Club Review

Situated on the outskirts of Horsham, the course offers a fun and challenging layout, with mature trees, water hazards and sweeping fairways. A good value option in the area, just watch out for two difficult finishing holes- don’t get complacent!

Royal Eastbourne Golf Club – Devonshire Course Review

On the north-west side of Eastbourne, the friendly Royal Eastbourne Golf Club is nestled at the foot of the South Downs, and is home to two courses, the 18 hole Devonshire, and the 9 hole Hartington The mix of strong (and sometimes quirky) holes on the front 9 are the highlight, with the 16th also being a fantastic hole, however the course peters out for much of the back 9 and the closing two holes are a slight disappointment.

Rusper Golf Club Review

A tight, tree lined course, you need to be hitting the ball straight and true to put together a score here. Offers some fantastic photo opportunities as the trees frame the holes so well, just don’t let it distract you too much from your game!

Seaford Golf Club Review

Less spectacular than its neighbour as it is set further in land, the course still boasts 18 holes of very good golf, in a challenging layout. Didn’t quite have the wow factor for me having played Seaford Head in the morning the same day, but well worth a go nonetheless!

Seaford Head Golf Club Review

A fairly short, but very entertaining downland golf course, offering fantastic views out to the Seven Sisters and Cuckmere Haven. Possibly has the most fun 18th tee shot in the county from a hugely elevated tee.

Singing Hills Golf Club Review

27 holes of golf laid out across 3 loops of 9, River, Valley and Lake, which all have distinctive features and characteristics, and a couple of standout holes on each. A floodlit driving range and large clubhouse add to the facility.

Slinfold Park Golf and Country Club Review

For those looking for the Country Club lifestyle, Slinfold has it all, and a very decent 18 hole course to boot. With an interesting layout and some quirky features (island tee!), the course is a really fun one to play.

Sweetwoods Park Golf Club Review

A beautiful parkland course, set within the High Weald on the borders of Kent and Sussex. Featuring a number of valleys, lakes, mature trees, monuments and statues, you would be forgiven for thinking that you were wandering around National Trust owned gardens, but the sweeping doglegs, manicured fairways and greens give away it’s true purpose! Well worth a visit.

Tilgate Forest Golf Centre Review

Another tight tree lined course near Crawley, where some holes are set so deeply in the forest that you can’t see the hole next to you. A tough, but fun and very good value experience.

Waterhall Golf Club Review

Council owned course just north of Brighton & Hove. Cheap and cheerful, with some interesting mounding around lots of greens. Features one of the longest par 3’s in the county. Would rate higher if it was maintained to the level of other courses in the area, as the layout is genuinely interesting.

Wellshurst Golf Club Review

Despite being less than 30 years old, Wellshurst Golf Club has a mature feel, thanks to the setting, and the fact that the majority of holes are well tree lined. Whilst being on the shorter side (<5900 yards from the tips), the course plays a little longer with a number of uphill holes, or ones where only the brave take on the dog legs, meaning that us average golfers need to lay well back! A thinking golf course if there ever was one, and one that offers very good value.

West Hove Golf Club Review

A free draining facility to the north-west of Brighton & Hove, with large clubhouse, driving range and practice area. The course is challenging and contains arguably one of the hardest (and longest) par 5’s in the county, which I am sure has ruined many a scorecard- particularly when played into the wind!

West Sussex Golf Club Review

If you’re lucky enough to have played the course with heather in full bloom, you won’t need me to tell you how incredible it is. Hole after hole, West Sussex continues to wow with its beautiful layout and clever bunkering. A course worthy of its place in the upper ranks of courses in the country. A must play.

Willingdon Golf Club Review

Fantastic course nestled amongst the South Downs north-west of Eastbourne, which provide a spectacular backdrop to a number of holes. Rolling fairways ensure lots of challenging lies, and trademark Dr Alistair MacKenzie two tiered greens (who later went on to design Augusta National amongst many others!), help to provide plenty of difficulty and protection. A hidden gem.

Worthing Golf Club – Lower Course Review

With 36 holes on offer, as well as extensive practice facilities and a driving range, Worthing Golf Club has to rank as one of the best golfing facilities in the county. The Lower Course, the longer of the two, offers some of the best downland golf in the county, with plenty of spectacular holes from raised tee boxes, and views out to the Rampion Wind Farm. A well bunkered layout, and some of the finest greens I have played in the county contribute to a memorable experience.

Worthing Golf Club – Upper Course Review

The second 18 at Worthing Golf Club is shorter and slightly friendlier than the tough Lower course, but that doesn’t mean it is easy by any stretch of the imagination! As you’d expect with a downland course, great views, tricky lies and a good work out!