This is a fun second division heathland course in a stunning setting overlooking the South Downs. The nearest course of repute is Royal Ashdown Forest - which I have not played so I can't compare the two, but Mr Doak gives RAF a 7 and CB a 4 which tells you something.
The club's greatest claim to fame is that Arthur Conan Doyle of Sherlock Holmes fame was captain in 1911! The club was opened in 1895 so belongs among the centurions in England. There is not enough interest in the bunkering and the greens for it to be a truly top notch course, but it is a natural lay-out that uses the lie of the land to create interest and worth a visit if in the neighbourhood.
The first - relatively straightforward opener, slopes from right to left - but out of bounds in the form of a public road behind the green affects the approach shot.
The approach on the 2nd - where you tee off high above, and the hole turns sharp right to left. A good drive still requires a medium iron second.
View from behind 2
The first short hole - uphill 3rd where you can't really see the green to judge distance. Would profit from some more cutting back of the trees.
The 4th - relatively straightforward two-shotter
The 5th - good looking par four. Difficulty lies mostly in judging distance to very elevated green.
View from behind the green on 5.
The best hole on the course I think - the par 3 sixth over a large crevice ( a WW 2 bomb crater). A redan type hole, you can go the heroic route (about 190 yards slightly uphill) or come in from the right using the lie of the land.
The approach to the par 5 seventh - the hole is blind on the second shot unless you are on the far left, so it tends to encourage laying up and playing as a full three -shotter.
The drive and pitch 8th
And then the dog leg, uphill 9th
This heather feature in the middle of the 12th forces to you to lay up with the drive and leaves a long second in..
Approach to the par 5 14th with some of the Downs in the distant background
The 15th is a shortish par four wrapped onto a strong left-write slope. If you keep your ball high you are rewarded with an easier second.
Like this....
The 16th takes you back uphill...
Nice shot over the Downs, with 5th green in the foreground.
The last short hole - 17. Good looking hole - as with the 3rd, you can't see too much of the green as you are teeing off well below.
View across the first capturing the clubhouse behind the 18th green.