SUSSEX DOWNS
We play our way along the county’s famous chalk hills, from Chichester in the west to Seaford in the east
Goodwood
I first played James Braid’s Goodwood in the late 1980s, since when big changes have taken place. Many of the early and closing holes have been changed or re-routed, but the middle routing, on the highest ground with the finest views, remains largely ‘as was’.
You start on a longish par 3 where the 17th hole used to be. After crossing the road via a tunnel, you play a series of holes set in a valley from the 3rd before climbing to the higher ground for the 7th, a sweeping long par 4. Make time for the excellent not-quite-halfway hut after this hole and mentally pencil in a return visit after the fine down-and-up 15th. The strong par-5 16th then plays along what were once the 1st and 2nd holes, but in the opposite direction.
Finally, you re-cross the road for a tough closing duo down in the valley – a long par 3 with water short right and a very testing par 4.
Par 72, 6,704 yards (Downs course)
GF: round: £125 (includes range balls, buggy and lunch)
SHOWSTOPPER Seaford
The Sussex Downs stretch a long way and Seaford, towards the eastern end, has two courses – Seaford Head on the chalk clifftops and this strong J.H. Taylor course, often called Blatchington. It’s one of the county’s tougher downland tests as the par of 69 includes just one par 5 and several long par 4s. You climb early on and, once on top, there are superb views both inland and out over The Channel. Look out for the visually deceptive par-3 12th, where the tendency is to come up short.
Par 69, 6,546 yards
GF: round: £35wd, £45we; twilight rates available
Lewes
Nearly all downland courses offer views to die for, but Lewes is hard to beat. There’s often room to manoeuvre here, with several good chances to score, including the opening trio of shortish par 4s.
Of course, up here the wind has a big say, especially out on the wide ridge where the 7th and 8th holes play after the second of two short uphill par 3s. The 18th fairway is then awkward, sloping away to the right – not ideal for left-toright merchants with the wind off the left!
Par 71, 6,078 yards
GF: round: £32.50wd, £37.50we; twilight: £22.50-£25
VIEWS APLENTY