Sussex

Golf across the South Downs and Sussex coast.
Downland, heathland and the South Downs — East and West Sussex offer some of southern England’s most characterful golf.

Sussex golf is the most geographically diverse in the south east. The county runs from the weald to the coast, from the Kent border to Hampshire, and the courses within it reflect that variety. West Sussex Golf Club and Royal Ashdown Forest are among the most distinctive inland courses in England — not heathland in the Surrey sense, but with a character and quality that rewards the golfer who makes the journey. Royal Eastbourne and Seaford Head provide clifftop and downland experiences on the coast. And Goodwood’s course on the estate above Chichester adds a finishing touch of English eccentricity to any Sussex golf itinerary.

The county is also within easy reach of London — Brighton is 50 minutes by train from Victoria, and the A23 and A27 connect most courses into a sensible touring route. For golfers who want something different from the Surrey heathland belt without the journey to Scotland or the South West, Sussex is the obvious next step.

The Courses

West Sussex Golf Club

Pulborough, West Sussex · Heathland / Downland · Visitors Welcome (limited) · Par 68

One of the most underrated courses in England and consistently among the finest in the south east. West Sussex Golf Club occupies a distinctive sandy heath above Pulborough — not Surrey heathland, but with the same free-draining soil and heather character, combined with a routing that uses the natural terrain with exceptional intelligence. Short by modern standards at Par 68, but no less testing. Access is restricted; a club introduction or direct approach is required.

Green fees from: £110 (visitor)

Royal Ashdown Forest Golf Club — Old Course

Forest Row, East Sussex · Heathland / Forest · Visitors Welcome · Par 72

The most unusual inland course in the south east — Royal Ashdown Forest plays through ancient forest and heath with no bunkers anywhere on the course. The natural hazards — heather, forest, undulating terrain — are sufficient, and the routing through the Ashdown Forest creates an experience unlike any other course in southern England. Historic, atmospheric and entirely distinctive.

Green fees from: £85 (visitor)

Goodwood Golf Club

Chichester, West Sussex · Downland · Visitors Welcome · Par 71

A James Braid downland course on the Goodwood estate above Chichester — with views across the Solent and the Isle of Wight on clear days, and a setting that combines the English sporting landscape with golf in a way that only Goodwood can manage. The Goodwood hotel and spa on the estate makes this a natural Stay•Play•Recover anchor for West Sussex.

Green fees from: £65 (visitor)

Seaford Head Golf Club

Seaford, East Sussex · Clifftop Downland · Visitors Welcome · Par 68

One of Sussex’s most atmospheric coastal rounds — a clifftop downland course above the Seven Sisters chalk cliffs with views across the English Channel. Short, exposed and entirely honest. The setting is exceptional and the green fee is among the best value in the south east for a course of such dramatic character.

Green fees from: £30 (visitor)

East Brighton Golf Club

Brighton, East Sussex · Downland · Visitors Welcome · Par 71

A Harry Colt downland layout above Brighton with sweeping views across the town and the Channel — the most convenient quality round for golfers based in Brighton, and one that offers more character and challenge than the Brighton & Hove resort courses nearby. An excellent addition to a Brighton golf and spa break itinerary.

Green fees from: £45 (visitor)

Stay•Play•Recover in Sussex

Goodwood Hotel & Spa ⭐

The most complete Stay•Play•Recover property in Sussex — a full resort on the Goodwood estate with the golf course, spa facilities, hotel and the Goodwood Motor Circuit and Racing track. A uniquely English experience that suits golfers, car enthusiasts and spa-seekers simultaneously.

The Grand Hotel Brighton ⭐

Brighton’s most famous hotel — Victorian seafront grandeur, full spa, and excellent access to the East Brighton and Brighton & Hove courses. The natural base for golfers combining a Sussex golf break with Brighton’s restaurants, culture and coastal atmosphere.

Recovery & Wellness in Sussex

Golf Physiotherapists in Sussex →Sports Massage for Golfers in Sussex →Golf Fitness Coaches in Sussex →

Practical Information

Best time to visit: April–October. Seaford Head and the coastal courses are best avoided in winter winds. West Sussex and Royal Ashdown play year-round on their well-drained terrain.

Getting there: London Victoria to Brighton takes 50 minutes. London Bridge to Pulborough (West Sussex GC) takes 80 minutes. By road, the M23/A23 reaches Brighton in 60 minutes; the A272 connects the Weald courses east to west.

Green fee ranges: Budget £30–45 (Seaford Head, East Brighton) · Mid-range £65–85 (Goodwood, Royal Ashdown Forest) · Premium £110 (West Sussex GC)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best golf course in Sussex?

West Sussex Golf Club near Pulborough is widely regarded as the finest course in the county — a distinctive sandy heath with a routing of exceptional intelligence, consistently ranked among England’s top 50 inland courses. Royal Ashdown Forest is the most unusual — a historic forest course with no bunkers anywhere on the layout.

Is there a golf and spa resort in Sussex?

Yes — Goodwood Hotel and Spa on the Goodwood estate near Chichester is the best golf and spa destination in Sussex, with the Goodwood Golf Club course, full spa facilities and hotel accommodation on the same estate.

What are golf courses in Sussex like?

Sussex offers genuine variety — heathland (West Sussex Golf Club), ancient forest (Royal Ashdown), downland (Goodwood, East Brighton), and clifftop coastal (Seaford Head). The downland character — open, exposed, fast-draining chalk turf — is particularly distinctive and found throughout the South Downs.

Sussex

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