East Sussex National Golf Resort

East Course - Greens in very poor condition

The clubhouse itself is very nice, and the layout of the course is good, however the quality of the greens on the East course at this point in time is very poor.

The greens were hollow timed about a month ago, however I found myself playing mainly on sandy or dry muddy surfaces with little grass on the greens. The greens will need a lot of work to get them back into shape, and therefore I’m doubtful they will improve this year.

I paid £35 for a round on a Saturday afternoon, teeing off after 2pm, at this price with the time of day we were teeing off and the greens in this condition, it is overpriced.

I cannot recommend the East course based on this visit.

  

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.




  

Great Complex

This was a freebie so my review may be slightly different to if I had had to pay a £60 green fee.
The Complex (hotel, spa and golf club) was fantastic but the golf venue seemed a little tired and very jumbled, with what was in my opinion fairly poor signage. This carried on to the greens and tee boxes.
Off fairway/green the grass was very patchy/muddy but if you kept it in play the conditions were fantastic.
Very impressed with the lay-out and some holes were stunning. There were also some very mundane holes that you sensed had been squeezed in. The club has some notable members/guests but not sure it is worth the hour and a half drive (as it really is in the middle of nowhere) from Essex.
Wouldn't be surprised to hear that the club was in financial trouble, however I don't want to give the impression that I didn't enjoy it - I very much did!
Go if you can but I suspect it will be a one time visit and be sure to finish prior to 5pm otherwise you will find that the clubhouse has turned into a ghost town!

  

looks good and plays well

First time here and was very impressed. The pro-shop was well stocked, good car park, and plenty of space to put bags ets. We played the West course and I must admit it was a very good course. With the sprinkler heads showing yardage to the green and 150 markers in the middle of the fairways it was easy to pick your clubs. The greens were excellent fast and true.
The front none seemed to play easier than the back, but that may have been the way I was playing. Overall I liked the course and the venue and would return.

  

West Course recommended

Having played the East course which was rather featureless and very long, I found the West to be more interesting, challenging and fun.
The greens were vey patchy with moss and different grasses giving a mottled appearance which made them difficult to read but played well.
All greens had tiers and mounds to negotiate and the fairways had generous landing areas.
The rooms were excellent and the buffet style food selection in the evening was good.
East Sussex National is a tremendous clubhouse with panoramic views and spacious lounges and bar areas.
The practice facilities were good with pitching, chipping and putting areas along with a small driving range (10 bays or so...).
Worth a visit but better in the summer months I suspect.

  

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....

  

Poor greens for money paid. (east course)

This is my unmpteenth visit as course is local,Its a Bit of a golf factory.
Flunkies take bags etc. all a bit twee.
Course fairly well presented but greens in poor shape,
CCTV in changing rooms!! must have a pervert watching.
Fairways watered which was very good as ground was very hard being clay. This course is usually wet or dry never perfect.
Pricey drinks in club and surly shop/bar staff.
Otherwise a good day, played with a member

  

The West Course

The West course is excellent.
Lots of challenging holes with a number of signature type holes.
It is a parkland course. Tighter course than the East.
Fast greens. Nice fairways.

Practice facilities and club house is excellent.

Both courses are well worth playing.

Played this as a weekend break including breakfast and evening meal. Well worth doing.

  

The East Course

The East course is more open than the West.
It is a parkland course.
Fast greens. Nice fairways.

Practice facilities and club house is excellent.

Played this as a weekend break including breakfast and evening meal. Well worth doing.

  

If you get the chance, play the West Course

Played the West Course (the tree lined, 'members course') and it was great. Plus, at only £40 to include lunch, it was a steal.

The clubhouse is very impressive. Everyone very friendly - from the bag drop guy to the pro shop staff to the bar staff to the marshalls.

The course was presented in great shape every hole was different, interesting and a challenge. The greens were well protected, large and quite fast so leaving yourself with an uphill putt was a good choice.

If you get the chance to play this course my advice would be 'jump at it' it's a great experience.

PS. I didn't see much of the East Course but apparently it's more open (more American in style) but maintained to the same high standards and as good a course to play.

  

michael channing

found back 9 extreamly tough, put it down to eating and drinking too much over the festive break

  

East Sussex National (East Course)

Excellent course in superb condition. Fairways are fairly wide and greens are large. Bunkers in wonderful condition and the mix of holes will test the best of you.

Having also played the West Course - would say this is more difficult although off the white tees at 6,000 yards it's not a slog !

Pro Shop, Food & general service was A+++++

You should try it !!!!

  

Recommended

Played the west course, which considering the wet weather we have had, has held up really well. Fairways though not firm were certainly not soggy.The greens were in great condition and running at a very good speed. Have played the East course numerous times and would recommend The East Sussex National as a great golf day, hope to make a return trip in the next month or two, so keep an eye on the "games" as we will post once a date is confirmed.

  

Peter Ferns

A great place to play golf. The experience is akin to playing top US courses - lots of marshalls, plush club house, clubs collected and cleaned etc.



  

what a course

Well from the time you set foot out of the car, you know your going to going to enjoy your days golf..... The course was in fantastic condition and the greens were A+.... A course that is part of a hotel i must admit its one of the best i've ever played, there are 2 courses and i intend playing the east within the next couple of months.... The course is for all levels of golfers with HUGE fairways, but the trouble begins on the greens as no 2 or holes are the same but are tricky.... The course was looked after by a starter and a marshall that make regular visits, also its because at present you have to keep carts to the path, so i enjoyed walking the course.... A great place to have a society day out, A MUST VISIT


  

roger akerman

A super championship course very well kept as you would expect, If you have never played a championship course do try this one, a great days experance. Natives fairly friendly and helpful