Review's of East Sussex National Golf Resort
Clubhouse/Hospitality
Quality of Course
Practice Facilities
Value for Money
Fantastic Golf Resort and Courses
I have played the West Course at ESN before on a couple of occasions with the South East Swing TSG group. However, on this occasion a group of 20 players from Cherry Lodge GC spent a 2 day Sunday/Monday stay and play involving the playing of first the West Course and secondly the East Course.
Firstly the facilities and accommodation (twin rooms) were excellent. The cost was £99.00, including 2 rounds of golf, one night accommodation, a 3 course evening meal and a buffet breakfast, basically help yourself as you can eat. I believe guests also had access to the gym and pool but I don't think any of our group took advantage of that. Truly excellent vfm.
The golf courses were in excellent condition considering the recent rains but the fairways were a little long in places and some of the rough areas were squidgy. Greens are enormous.
Scoring on the front 9 of the West Course was possible until some heavy rain hit on the back 9. An excellent halfway house.
For Monday's golf on the East Course, the conditions were very windy from the start which made scoring on the East much harder than on the West. I personally 3 putted 7 times on the East Course; I just couldn't get the ball close enough to the pins, which were generally meanly placed, and the reading of line and pace proved difficult. I'm sure that the greens will continue to be difficult when full summer conditions prevail, though approaches to greens will be from closer in so shots in would probably be under better control.
I marginally preferred the West Course to the East Course but both are formidable to the club/society golfer. Only one member of our group 'mastered' the courses scoring 37 and 35 points respectively, although a couple of his playing partners in the final group ran him close. Coincidentally he plays off 9 and happens to be the longest driver of the ball by a long way.
Very usefully there was an overnight golf bag and trolley storage facility where your bags were lined up for you just outside of the pro shop area ready for your second game. Very helpful staff.
The accommodation was comfortable, the quality of the food was excellent, however, the cost of drinks, especially wines, was somewhat expensive.
All in all a wonderful trip despite the weather impact on the courses. I would hope to play both courses again in their best condition. Play it/them if you can.
Clubhouse/Hospitality
Quality of Course
Practice Facilities
Value for Money
Magnificence & Excellence (Golf courses), Inspiring & Humbling (Disabled British Open)....
Today was the Disabled British Open at East Sussex National.
A wonderful place with 2 Championship courses set in this beautiful area of East Sussex.
3 TSGers went along to support our very own "Peggy" (please correct me if wrong), Roger H. and what an inspiration to watch the golf being plaid there today with howling wind and a little rain.
We followed the various teams on the 1st 9 holes, many photos taken by Ian M. and Andy C. (a professional photo taker), so watch out for posting on the TSG website. Then we had a very pleasant lunch in one of the very grand bar overlooking the course.
We returned to watch some teams finishing on the 18th and 17th...
One thing is for sure, is that one wants to play the course as it is very inviting, nice grass on fairways, 1st cut very good, then there is rough in some places (better not to go there unless you have a ball spotter). The bunkers are filled with appetising sand so never mind if you land in there, you know you will get out, specially so if you have nice sand wedge...
The greens look absolutely superb and one wants to do some putting, all the greens had interesting shapes.
The lay out of the course seems to follow the natural landscape, ondulating hills, flat parts etc.. some water hazards with beautiful wild fauna, we heard a little frog or 2 croacking at the 9th (just before lunch!!! that would have made nice lunch actually, but that was not on the menu). One can see the East Sussex farmed fields with at the moment lots of hay bales rolled into large heavy "rolls" (I believe some can weigh up to 100kg), amazing what modern farm machinery can do now, in the old days it used to be a man and a 3 pronged fork for hay-making, a horse and a cart.
There are lot of native trees, and a big forest on one side of the course.
The DBO is a 2-day event, so we dont know at this stage how Roger is progressing with his score. Roger's son was present, I believe acting as a Caddy, a charming young chap, 5 hdcp, truly loving his golf and very supportive of his father. A very nice thing to witness.
EAst Sussex National is an extremely large complex, a huge well laid out car park.
A very big Pro Shop (yes with Ladies clothings, a rare thing).
Extremley plush changing rooms.
Driving range, and practice greens.
Everything is there for a pleasant golf day, you name it, it is there...
I shall conclude in saying that there will probably be a game posted at East Sussex National, very shortly, but to get a Special price (in September), we need a TEAM of 12 players. I believe the cost will be £180.00 per 4-balls including a Lunch, please check the website.
It is the 1st time I write my personal review of a course/of the day without playing, but sometimes it is nice to do different things, I hope that you might get tempted to join the imminent game....
THE END....