Royal Ashdown Forest (OLD)

Course info

Ranked no.46 in England’s Top 100 courses

Originally laid out in 1892, the last significant changes were made in 1922 by Jack Rowe. We trust Jack knew what he was doing - he was the professional there for 55 years!

The club gained its royal tittle in 1893 stipulating that no man-made intrusions be allowed - hence there are no bunkers. It is a course that can truly claim to have been designed by nature. 

Its pines, heather, humps, and hollows, streams and bracken make it a wonderfully natural place to play. The 11th, for example, plays from an elevated tee affording stunning views across East and West Sussex and the North Downs of Surrey and Kent.

The club has a wonderful range of practice facilities all conveniently adjacent to the clubhouse. As with all top clubs, visitor playing restrictions are strictly controlled. By teeing off on a Thursday lunchtime, we are able to play in 3 and 4 balls.

And finally, should you stray offline into the magical forest itself, you might just catch a glimpse of its most famous resident, Winnie the Pooh.

The itinerary

• 1130 Meet for tea/coffee & bacon rolls
• 1230 18 holes - Individual Stableford - yellow tees
• Nearest the Pin - 14th
• After play, return to the clubhouse for a 2 course meal & prizegiving

The prizes

• A bottle of Moët et Chandon champagne to the individual winner
• A bottle of Chateauneuf du Pape to the runner up & winner of Nearest the Pin