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West Sussex, England |
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West Sussex Golf Club
Golf Club Lane
Wiggonholt
Pulborough
West Sussex
RH20 2EN
England |  | Sir Guy Campbell and Major C K Hutchison |  | Tim Packham |
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 | +44 (0) 1798 872426 |  | Between Storrington and Pulborough |
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Golf Club Website
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 | Contact in advance – Not Tue am or Fri all day |  | Andrew Stubbs |
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We make no apology for declaring that West Sussex Golf Club is one of our favourite inland courses. It is sheer delight to play golf on this charming sandy outcrop of heathland. The course occupies a priceless, stunning, undulating site on the northern edge of the South Downs.
In the scheme of things, West Sussex is a relative youngster, dating back to 1930. Commander G W Hillyard who moved down to Sussex from Leicestershire originally discovered the site. Sir Guy Campbell and Major C K Hutchison designed the course; these two architects created one of the most natural and aesthetically pleasing golf courses in England.
On the surface of it, West Sussex is a short course, measuring 6,355 yards from the tiger tees. The first hole, a short par 5, is the only easy birdie opportunity. After that, you’ll have to negotiate seven par 4s measuring over 400 yards. You will do very well to play to your handicap and it’s unlikely that you will get the impression that the course is short.
Clearly, this isn’t a championship golf course but it will provide a challenging and thought-provoking round for the very best golfers whilst remaining enjoyable for the higher handicapper. The holes wind their way through enchanting woodland, with oak, silver birch and pine providing a pretty backdrop and the heather and the cunning bunkering providing the definition. The colours, especially in autumn, are breathtaking.
Each hole demands thought and holds attention, there is a great deal of variation to the holes and many are memorable. There isn’t a signature hole as such, but we especially like the 6th, a 224-yard downhill par 3 with a pond lurking 40 yards in front of the green; to make matters worse, the whole area of pond is out-of-bounds.
In Golf Between Two Wars, Bernard Darwin wrote the following: “The day on which to see Pulborough, if not to play our best on it, is one when the wind is blowing hard, for the sand is wafted in great puffs, like white clouds across the course, so that we can scarcely believe that the sea is not round the corner… it is a little sandy jewel set in the Sussex clay… what more can anyone desire?” | |
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If the above course review article is not accurate, let us know by clicking here |
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 |  | | Average Reviewers Score: |   | | | Played here on 13 11 2012. Overall course condition was very good. Sward on the greens excellent. Bunkers kept beautifully.
Easily the equal of any other heathland course in the country.
Pro shop helpful bar staff efficient. We had a great day. |
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| 17 November 2012
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| On Wednesday the 13th of June I had the honor of playing West Sussex together with a member who is an accomplished golf course architect. The round was quite special for me considering it was my first ever round of golf in England, first of many, of course. Why, you might ask, especially if you are English, I don’t really have a valid answer, just for some reason I always thought I’d save England for last, living in The Netherlands because it was so close by.
One of the things I loved about the set up of West Sussex upon arrival was the fact that the clubhouse, driving range and warm up facility was just right there. The clubhouse was quaint and understated for an old private club and fit perfect into the setting.
I found it interesting that the course had been set up as a two-ball course but understand that often the members also play foursomes matches. My initial instinct was to think the course was really quite short and would therefore be quite easy and require a bit more target golf. However, quickly I came to realize that while it certainly required hitting the right targets, with a par of 68 the course was anything but a pushover. We were lucky to catch the course on a perfectly sunny day but with a nice breeze in the opposite of the prevailing direction.
The course starts rather gently with a short par 5, however, that quickly became my should of , would of, could of hole for the rest of the round as it’s perhaps the only real “easy” scoring opportunity and the ONLY par 5. I failed to score on it after hitting two 3 woods pin high.
To the naked the eye the holes seem very wide and spacious until you start taking away space covered by heather and bunkers which is certainly a beautiful site but a bit less fun to try and play out of. I didn’t end up in the heather too much and was fairly fortunate when I did but I’m use to hacking the ball out of the rough at my home club de Noordwijkse. I guess if you are hacking the ball back to the fairway it’s really all the same. The heather served it’s purpose.
This will sound strange to most and familiar to some but I always face this challenge of being an American (although having spent 20 years in Europe and learned to golf here) who plays golf each week in meters and then attempts to go play in the UK or US in yards and ends up with all distances being wrong. Sure I know it’s a 10% difference in favor of meters but how come my 7 iron that goes 150 meters only seems to manage 50 yards? This was hugely challenging for me at West Sussex, I calculated the distance over and over and kept coming up short all the time. I think that’s something you have to get use to on a particular course and it wasn’t until well into the back 9 I was getting the hang of it on this day.
Notable on the front 9 is the fact that there are three par 3’s and only one par 5. The par 3 5th is a shortish 158 yd par 3 requiring a well struck tee shot. The green being guarded by 4 bunkers in front and on the left side. The 6th is a tough long par 3 of 226 yds with a carry over water with heather to the left of the green. The right side has a bit of a bail out but to well placed bunkers to catch errand tee shots. The chip from the right as I learned is also rather tricky with a steep slope to maneuver and the added challenge that I’d short-sided myself on the day in question. The 8th was another example of a testing par 3, at 185 yds and playing almost straight into the wind, slightly uphill with bunkers protecting the left and right side front. Walking off this hole with par felt like an accomplishment on that day.
The rest of holes were par 4’s, I wouldn’t say any of them were easy although I believe I only hit one driver from the back tees. My playing companion hit a nice little draw on every hole and I’d have to say most of the holes on the front 9 seem to favor a draw. Certainly 3,4, 7 and 9. 1 and 2 can go either way although on 2 I was hitting a light fade into a right to left cross-wind which is not ideal on a fairly long par 4. It worked. The 7th was playing really tough at 441 yds with a blind tee shot and straight into the wind. We played this as a par 5 and both walked off with par.
The back 9 started with another draw hole, I faded my driver instead but ended up with a very playable lie all be it longer approach. The par 4 11th really set up perfectly for me so it was a shame to watch my drive carry 247 of the 249 yds required to carry the 2nd bunker leaving me with a lay up instead of a very short iron in. The green is protected by a large bunker on the right side so requires a middle to left of the green shot to be safe.
The 12th is another challenging short hole at 227 yds. Since you don’t want to miss right due to heather and bunkers, I thought I’d play right to test this theory. Confirmed, keep your tee shots left. 13 was a short par 4, although it was playing straight into the wind so it served up quite a challenge but that did make the long (433 yds) and tricky 14th which set up well for my fade a lot easier to handle. 15 was a beautiful little short hole of 145 yds over water to a two tiered green which fell off to the front and right sides.
16,17 and 18 present a great and challenging finish to a course full of par 4’s. 16 had a blind tee shot with a hit or miss second over a bit of a hollow for lack of a better word. 17 was a long par 4 of 440 yds that set up for a slight fade, even wind helping it was a challenge to get home in two while avoiding both the fairway bunkers to the right as well as the greenside bunkers protecting the right side. 18 was another challenging hole playing straight into the wind at 414 yds. The tees shot as well as the approach needed to be carefully placed do to the bunkers.
A couple points I think are worthy to mention. Several holes reminded me of holes that I could of encountered on the famous sandbelt courses of Melbourne. I noticed that West Sussex seemed to be experimenting with some different bunkering shapes in terms of having some clean cut more modern bunkers with sharply cut edges which remind me far more of American courses mixed in with the classical more natural bunker forms. Personally I would strongly encourage the course to maintain the classic bunker shapes that aesthetically blend into the course and add to the charm. It would be a shame to “litter” the course with these American style bunkers and greatly take away from the beauty and history of West Sussex. If you ever have the chance to go play this gem by all means do. It’s well worth the trip. I certainly look forward to having another go at it one day. |
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| 24 August 2012
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| | I played this course in April earlier this year. Although early in the season, the course was in pretty good condition. I felt as though the 1st was made a par 5, because they felt they needed it to. It isnt long enough to warrant it. Although a short course, a few of the holes are brutal if into wind! Although a good course, I find it hard to see how it is rated so highly in England top 100 courses, Hindhead (ranked considerably lower in the rankings, far exceeds West Sussex and I can think of a number of courses that do not make an impression on the top 100. I must add, the hospitality was fantastic, the barmen was a perfect example of perfect customer service. |
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| 05 December 2011
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| | Lovely course, excellent value, excellent experience. The course design is money, might be one or two holes that need help but otherwise this place is legit. Beautiful bunkering, good greens and turf condition, and lots of nasty heather. You can practice keeping it in the short grass on the clubs enormous driving range. One of the better ranges among the older traditional clubs. Should be rated higher. |
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| 24 July 2011
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| | I played here on a glorious July day and found the course an enjoyable test of golf. The welcome was warm and the stipulated 2-ball format made for an unhurried 3 hour round, which is always a plus point in my book. The course was in pretty good condition; my only complaint would be that the fairways were a bit scrubby in places. The card is slightly quirky with just one par 5 and five par 3s, but this shouldn’t detract from the experience. What it lacks in distance, it makes up for with excellent bunkering and gorse and heather which will invariably catch a wayward drive. This is certainly true on the 3rd, which at 367 yards offers a chance – but only if you can negotiate the tight fairway and well placed bunkers from the tee. 7 is another good hole, a long par 4 with a blind drive over heather and a huge bunker. However, the course comes to life on the back 9, which has a superb collection of par 4s from 11 right through to 18. The par 3s were particularly enjoyable – the short 5th is a great looking hole, while 6 and 15 – both played over water – add some variety to the course. This forum makes much of the comparison between West Sussex and its heathland contemporaries in this part of the country. I can only draw on my experience of Walton Heath and I would say that West Sussex is prettier and more fun to play. Walton Heath is a true championship course and a tougher, better, test of low handicappers although if I had to choose one of them to play every week, then it would be West Sussex. After all, you cannot hear the drone of the M25 from the fairways here. A 6-ball course this is not – those who have rated it as such have, in my opinion, missed the point of the ratings system (there needs to be some differentiation between the very good and the outstanding). But a high 4 or a low 5? I’ll go for 5. |
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| 16 July 2011
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| | I was really looking forward to playing this course, but I have to say it didn't live up to my expections. This course is not in the same league as Sunningdale, Berkshire and Hankley Common to name a few. The course had clearly suffered after a dry summer, the fairways were patchy at best and the greens slow and wooly although the heather was as dense as i've come across. The design of the course is great and it has a wonderful collection of par 3's such as the 6th & 15th and some great par 4's of varying length. It does have a couple of forgettable holes such as the 1st and 9th. The food here was fantastic though, the best we've ever sampled at a golf club!! I think its ranked too high for what it is, but it is well worth playing, it's pretty and it has a good layout. |
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| 17 August 2010
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| | As it is ranked in the Top 50 clearly this is a very good course - but is it as great as everybody seems to think. I have to say that I was slightly underwhelmed. Having read on this site about comparisons to Sunningdale Old, St George's Hill, Swinley Forest etc I arrived with big expectations. However, after 10 holes my partner and I were still wondering why this course was even in the Top 100 never mind the Top 50. Granted the course got better on the back nine but overall I would not classify this course in the same league as the aforementioned ones. The conditions may have influenced our view somewhat. We played it after a long dry spell and there was very little definition to the course. The fairways were bone dry and brown. The heather was brown and woody. I could imagine that at certain times of the year with the heather in full bloom that it might look stunning. But not the day we were there. I agree with other comments though about the length. The overall yardage may be short by modern standards but the course never felt short. With plenty of long par 3s and par 4s it there is plenty to test your game. |
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| 29 July 2010
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| | West Sussex has to be one of the best courses in southern England. At a little over 6000 yards off the back tees it is not long, but it is deceptive; six par fours over 400 yards (and two par threes over 220 yards) ensure that it will test all facets of your game – this is certainly not a course where you can smash a driver off every tee. There isn’t a weak hole on the course; each one is brilliantly designed, framed with clever bunkering, and the whole course is set in beautiful surroundings. Pine, silver birch, heather and gorse dominate, and so any wayward shots are punished severely. As a two ball club, three hour rounds are the norm, the welcome is warm and genuine, and the facilities are first class. Play it; it is magnificent! |
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| 29 May 2010
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| | Delight is the right word. If you are looking for a place for you and a friend or three to play a round of golf you'll remember for years, then go to West Sussex on a sunny morning in spring. The layout is lovely, especially from green to tee, springy turf, smooth (pretty flat) greens. The par 3s are an absolute joy. At any point you can just stop and drink in the surroundings and take a big breath of fresh air that makes life all seem rather wonderful. I particularly like the set up around the clubhouse, as there is a great feeling of space. The practice ground is convenient for the first tee, and the putting green and little chipping areas are ideal. Make a trip if you're not planning one, it's lovely. |
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| 29 April 2009
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| Response: | | | Brian | 25 February 2011 | | Best off coming with just one friend unless you are planning foursomes! It is a strictly 2 ball course only... |
| | | What a delightfull little puppy this is. A top course with no two holes the same. Great condition and what a joy it was 2 play. |
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| 08 October 2008
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| | I have played most of the top heathland golf courses in the UK. Sunningdale, Wentworth, Swinley Forest, St georges Hill, The Berkshire, New Zealand, Hankley Common Etc. West Sussex is easily as good as any of these. It should have a much higher ranking, playing Pine Valley next week it will be interesting to compare the best in the world. |
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| 06 October 2008
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| Response: | | | tony Henderson | 16 October 2008 | | I`m playing West Sussex GC tomorrow & thoroughly looking forward to it, that will be 47 of Golf Worlds Top 50 accomplished. How on earth did you get a game on Pine Valley I am very jealous.
Regards Tony Henderson |
| | | A great golf course. A very traditional golf club, and good luck to them.
Very few good courses in Sussex, but this is a real gem. |
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| 26 September 2008
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| | It is hard to understand why West Sussex does not have a higher ranking. It is a wonderful golf course - a real joy to play. Highly recommended! |
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| 19 August 2008
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| | I recently completed a trip to Sandwich and London, taking in the great links at Deal, Prince's, Royal St. George's and Rye before proceeding towards London to take in some of the heathland and heather courses in Surrey. I was searching for a course to play on our last day, and my eye kept being drawn to West Sussex. Playing here was one of the best decisions I made on the trip. West Sussex has a definite links feel, not quite as open as Walton Heath but not as wooded as the Berkshire and St. George's Hill. There is only one par 5, which happens to be the opening hole, and the remaining par 3's and 4's are all outstanding holes. There are a number of blind shots, but the fairway bunkering is simply outstanding, especially on the back nine. In fact holes 13, 14, 16, 17 and 18 are par 4's that are as good as any I've played. The course is a bit out of the way in Pulborough, but the secretary and the staff were outstanding and freiendly, as were the members. Don't shun this course because of it's relatively short length; the par of 68 is a hard target to reach, even for a scratch golfer, and I can't imagine that anyone would not enjoy a day on this course. Richard Smith,Knoxville, Tennessee |
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| 07 August 2008
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| Response: | | | Cedric | 07 August 2008 | | Looking forward to your reviews about the other courses you mention here!! | | | Richard Smith | 08 August 2008 | | I just finished posting my last review of the courses I mentioned. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoyed playing these great courses. |
| | | West Sussex deserves to be ranked higher it is right there with the best heathland courses in and around London. I found the course to be a lot of fun, with some elevation changes, some long holes, some short holes but overall the course is very demanding thanks to the heather and bunkers. The par 3's are all very good, there are certainly some memorable holes and shots around this place. On a windy day this place would show all of its teeth with all its heather, you need to hit the ball straight. I was welcomed as a visitor the head pro greeted me too it was a fun day. I will be back to play it again. |
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| 10 February 2008
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| | As a member of this club i have enjoyed endless magnificent rounds around this club, with each hole creating new challenges each time i play. The only slight problem i find is that it becomes rather hard to find courses that top this one! |
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| 26 November 2007
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| | Simply the most beautiful course I have had the pleasure to play. Don't miss it. The old world charm of the club house and it's rather antiquated ways only adds to the experience. Wonderful !! |
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| 09 August 2007
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| | Best course in the world. I am a member there and have been enjoying every moment of being a member for 2 years now. The people are just so nice and the bar and menu of food is just outstanding, for all good golfers, a must play. The course is in such good nick and is manicured to compltete perfection. The course is never closed and is never suffering from any kind of flooding. PLAY IT! |
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| 12 February 2007
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| | One of the unsung gems of English course featured on this website. Anyone who has not played here is missing a complete treat. Unfortunately it's a little of the beaten track at the very tip of the sand belt. For me it's last but definately not least. The gentle opener is the only easy birdie opportunity that comes far too soon for most but make the most if it as scoring on this dream course in not easy. I'd rather play West Sussex than any other of the heathland courses in the neck of the woods and perhaps only Swinley Forest and Sunningdale Old can give it a run for its money. Traditional maybe magnificent definately! |
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| 22 January 2007
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| | Marvellous, traditional and a quintessential English club with plus-fours, three hour rounds and foursomes... just how golf used to be played. Certainly, West Sussex as a club is better for being so traditional, but forget the club for a moment, it’s the course that’s the real thing and there's nothing much better for me anywhere in the world. It won’t test the tour pros but it will put a smile on every handicap golfer’s face. |
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| 10 March 2006
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| | West Sussex is quite beautiful and there’s nothing wrong with the course, just the fact that the club imposes playing restrictions – it’s a “two ball club” and visitors are expected to play singles or foursomes. I know these old clubs don’t want to upset the members and they want to keep the speed up but what happens if you’re a group of three visitors? The par threes are brilliant and the course has a really strong finish. Keep your eyes open for the gliders overhead, it’s a wonderful sight if they are out and about. In my view, one of the best, if not the best heathland course in the land. On par with St George's Hill for me. |
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| 22 April 2005
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| | I thoroughly enjoyed my round on the pure heathland layout but I'm sure I'm not alone when I came away thinking 'if only they could find another 300-400+ yards then they would have a fine Championship layout. It's difficulty definitely belies the Par 68 on the scorecard. What WSGC lacks in length is more than made up by strategic placement of heather and bunkers (especially on the doglegs) and I used my 3W and 3iron on a few holes to ensure I found the fairway. In particular I was impressed by the well renowned 6th but also long P3 12th and taken with the Par 4's = 13 and 14 were for mine the best stretch of holes on the course. The 4th and 5th were also lovely holes the later would be a great Par 3 (if only) it was a few yards longer ? 10 and 16 were also good doglegs left and right respectively. The course was well presented and overall the greens true and the only hole which I thought was 'lacking something' was the 1st which is a 'soft' opening hole. A classic heathland course - definitely worth a visit. KP 8.5 |
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| 13 August 2004
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| | Totally beautiful, traditional and a thoroughly enjoyable test of golf. Could play here forever. It's hard to imagine a better course. |
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| 01 April 2004
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