Royal Ashdown Forest Golf Club (Old) ****

Chapel Lane, Forest Row, RH18 5LR

Nearest main town: East Grinstead

 

The absence of a single bunker means that Royal Ashdown holds an immediate fascination. It is difficult to imagine an entire course without any sand at all. Bunkers add a dimension to golf, whether it's in their purest form as a hazard or, in a more architectural role, where they can define the hole. For a course to be devoid of such an animal would appear detrimental to its character. Not at Royal Ashdown.

The club was ranked 94th in Golf World's most recent ranking of courses in the British Isles, which tends to suggest that it gets along very nicely without the need for its visitors to carry deep flanges on the bottom of their sand irons. For the record, the club was prevented long ago by the Forestry Commission from creating bunkers and it has to be said that it doesn't really miss them.

Formed in 1888, the club is now well into its second century and it is a testament to the layout that it has changed little since those early days. Four sub-400-yard par-4s get you under way, but don't be fooled because this is no easy test. Some of the carries from the back tees to the fairways are quite significant and, as a test of golf, Royal Ashdown has a reputation of being among the most demanding in the South East.

With tight tree-lined fairways, it is a thinker's course and therein lies the irony, because it was in these woods that one of Britain's best­loved bears was said to roam. Winnie the Pooh and his friends were created nearby by the author A. A. Milne, adding a certain charm to a course that already has great tranquility and some magnificent views.

 

Secretary: Mr D. Scrivens

Tel: 01342 822018 Fax: 01342 825211

Professional: Mr M. Landsborough

Tel: 01342 822247

Playing: Midweek: round £45.00; day £55.00. Weekend: round £60.00; day £60.00.

Facilities: Bar: 11 am-8pm. Food: Bar snacks.

Comments: What about all that heather and gorse - just brilliant...A challenging, heathery, rugged course requiring great accuracy...Pines and birches...Quick greens in the summer. . .As natural a course as you will find...Well worth the visit.

 

Ashdown Forest Golf Hotel (Hotel) ***

Chapel Lane, Forest Row, RH18 5LR

Nearest main town: East Grinstead

 

Secretary: Mr S. Maguire

Tel: 01342 824866 Fax: 01342 824869

Professional: Mr M. Landsborough

Tel: 01342 822247

Playing: Midweek: round £30.00; day £40.00. Weekend: round £40.00; day £45.00.

Facilities: Bar: 11 am-8pm. Food: Bar snacks.

Comments: Not a single bunker on this course...Carries over heather...One of East Sussex's best... Keep coming back time and time again. . .Very natural. . .Imaginative and intriguing. . .A complete delight.