Chiddingfold Golf Club

Delightful

Chiddingfold GC is a short par 68 18 hole parkland / woodland style course in Chiddingfold, Surrey.

The course was designed by Peter Alliss.

There are 5 par 3s, 12 par 4s and only 1 par 5. The course is 4,957 yards from the yellow visitors tees.

The 1st is a long 460 yards par 4 but the remaining par 4s are short.

Water is in play on two of the par 3s; ie the 12th and 13th; both found by me.

Although a short course it is quite challenging. Trees, doglegs, water, ditches, slopes etc are all to be negotiated.

The greens were generally large, undulating and in good condition.

We played the course in persistent rain but despite this it was enjoyable.

The clubhouse is a fairly basic 'portacabin' style building; with basic facilities but with an unpretentious welcoming vibe. A good venue for a medium sized group outing though parking places seem limited.

Possibly not a great winter venue.


  

Short but interesting.

It's been 10 years since I last played here, and in that time there have been a number of changes. The trees bordering the fairways have all grown up and the holes are a lot tighter. The 1st and 18th holes are now far shorter. The clubhouse is now in what appears to be a static mobile home, although it's certainly pleasant enough.

The course itself has five par 3's, one par 5, and lots of par 4's of around 300 yards. The trickiest hole is the 378 yard 16th, where you have to find the gap in the trees that leads to the drop to the green.

It's the sort of course where you should be shooting low, but the fairways are narrow enough for you to find trouble if you're struggling from the tee.

The greens & fairways were in an okay condition,the greens could maybe have done with a cut but were otherwise fairly smooth, while the tees could have been a little better. They weren't especially bad, they just weren't great.

There was a pleasant welcome while paying for my round, which is always nice. This won't be the toughest or greatest course that you will ever play, but I've always found it enjoyable.

  

Great little course

Chiddingfold is a great little course. On the shorter side, but challenging at the same time. Views were lovely and when green leaves appear on the trees, will be evening more exciting. Despite the many months of rain, the course was in good condition with a few slippery / boggy patches in places but being hilly, drainage on fairways and greens was pretty OK. I am keen to return again in the not distant future to enjoy this course and its lovely South Downs views. Clubhouse small but people were very helpful and friendly.

  

Short course with superb greens.....

Chiddingfold is a mature parkland/wetlands (a Peter Allis design), so expect well placed/shaped bunkers & tantalising dog legs, some totally blind. Chiddingfold is now under the wings of nearby Cowdray Park (in Sussex), so after years of neglect, a re-birth is taking place. It is a little gem.

The old Clubhouse is now a magnificent private house overlooking the entire golf course with view of the Surrey Downs in the distance. The original 18th green is now part of its large garden.A temporary but friendly & welcoming clubhouse with small but very modern changing rooms, a lovely raised decking with nice plant display overlooks the new shorter 18th (the index has remained the same though).

The Car Park is well laid out, may be a bit tight in places if you drive a big car, there is an overflow down a steep lane, but be careful if you miss the entry gates on the right you will end up on the 1st Tee as I did! Nevertheless, I managed to get back up the lane after my investigation. No one will object if you change your shoes (or shorts as the case may be) in the Car Park.

The greens: 1st class on a course that is being given a new lease of life: true & fast, great condition apart from the new 18th still in its infancy, needs to mature. The fairways were somewhat dry, rough very rough but that is part of the design to make this short course challenging enough for any level of golfers. Water comes into play on 10 holes, the mature trees very often provide OOB boundaries, or provide back drop for the Par 3s. Some very steps descents/ascents, spectacular views across the Surrey Downs. Course is apparently well drained so playable all year round.

My two favourite holes:

The 14th, short Par 4, totally blind dog leg left, tee box overlooking a very narrow & deep valley, full of bushes, path on the left & a water hazard, trees as well, more tall mature trees on the right hand side that is OOB. The fairway is sloping left. The green is very well guarded by 3 well placed bunkers & some sloping ground as well. I am happy to say that I Par this hole (3 shots and a chip-in putt) !).

The 16th, Par 4, a very dangerous Par 4, sort of a dog leg left as well, with a steep slope going down to the green from 80 yards, OOB all along the right.

There are two holes quite similar where one has to stand on a watch tower to see where the ball goes, trees and water hazards to negotiate.

Others worth mentioning, Hole 7, short Par 4, has a natural spring in the middle of the fairway, the driver is useful on this hole as the carry is over 260 yards. The green is long & narrow.

Long hitters may choose not to use the driver very often as other clubs in the bag may provide better results.

Lovely halfway hut with wooden bench/seats/colourful parasols, well positioned by the 6th hole, so one can pass this spots several times during the round.Busy course, young and not so young players, visitors most welcome, even on a Sunday morning. Good value at the weekend, even better in the week. also excellent, all inclusive deals for 36 holes combining golfing at Chiddingfold & Cowdray Park.

A nice Four-ball on an early Sunday morning. Thanks Steve D. for organising this venue & discovering this pretty course situated just outside this very picturesque & typically English village that is Chiddingfold with lots of tempting Inns & Pubs & a cricket green in the heart of the village with very old houses. Chiddingfold is situated half way between Guildford and Petworth (Turner's country).

This little jewel is on my "return soon list", a very friendly & pretty place where you get a warm welcome & where work is actually in progress to restore thE course to its former glory.

THE END.......

  

Short but interesting

Wasn't sure what to expect as there are different rumours/stories. Cowdrey Park golf is now leasing the club, and would appear to be spending time and money on bringing back a course hat had been left to rack and ruin. It's a work in progress, and if treated as such only big hitter will be disappointed here.