Sweetwoods Park Golf Club

Brigitte's review or rather story or account of the day, could be a long one....

Yesterday (20.10.16) was the last game of the year for the Pine Tree Gold Society (brilliantly run by Roger Akerman). A big attendance before we meet again in February at Seaaford Head. We had a delicious full English breakfast, cooked to perfection with extra toast & butter & jams etc.

Sweetwoods Park GC, East Sussex, is only 22 years old, a parkland course set in the Wealden area of outstanding natural beauty. One can see and feel that a lot of money has been invested in this private club. Historical as well as there is a Roman road under the 1st and 2nd fairways..

An attractive entrance with a long downhill drive with fairways on both sides....to the big car park and the timber clad modern Clubhouse, large Pro Shop and outbuildings housing some very "posh" buggies "a la Goodwood style"... yes one might need a buggy as quite hilly in places.

The Clubhouse is modern, nice airy feel, changing rooms are very classy with the very best equipment, nice terrace overlooking the downhill 18th great finishing hole where Par (or NO Par) will bring you back to this course.

Challenging, yes and good scores possible if played with common sense using the many sloping fairways with caution, the blind dog legs, the gorgeous uphill oR downhill Par 3s, some lakes, ponds, streams cleverly placed, some just behind or besides the sloping/tiered greens, the greens are faaaaaaasst.

Not one hole is similar and as someone previously said several could be the signature holes. Sweetwoods has it own Amen corner, 2 hard Par 5s (one of which I par), a long Par 3. Absolutely stunning.

The course was in excellent condition, but I expect it can get boggy in Winter as built on heavy clay. There is draining work in operation & the temporary greens are already marked out for the coming winter months.

Not sure what holes to describe as they are all very scenic & challenging, one gets view of the pretty Cowden village with its Church steeple but as usual the Par 3s always catch my attention due to their clever design, whether long (200 yards) or short (114 yds).

I think the prettiest one is the 17th, 114 yds, which incidentally I completing messed up: the Tee boxes are set in a sort of an island in a the middle of a lake (full of huge fish, carps !!!!) to a raised tiered green with very attractive pines & other trees in the background and by its side, also 2 bunkers at the back & side of this treacherous green, the SI is 17, one needs to be very accurate to make Par or Birdie. And then comes the magnificiant finishing 18th, Par 4, a huge tree in the middle of the fairway sloping right to a dense woodland, the Tee shot is blind as the green is not seeable unless you are 100 yards near, the green is tiered , well guarded by 3 bunkers on the left and 1 at the back too.

This is a well kept course one wants to get back to due its attractiveness, the warm welcome, the nice feel of the place and pleasant Members, I meet a few....The drinks and food are very reasonable.

The Proshop has great stock of equipment and clothing for Men & Ladies too..

A truly enjoyable course, do not hesitate to play if you get the opportunity.


TH END......

(by the way I had a great time in London on Friday: Royal Festival Hall (exhibition in the lower level), Supreme Court, St James Park & the Guards'Chapel at Wellington Barracks...)









TBC.....

From the yellow tees this is a 6,081 yards par 72; ie a conventionally balanced layout.

Regrettably on the day played the greens had been badly affected by their spiking/sanding maintenance programme which affected potential for better putting; therefore better scoring and my overall enjoyment was diminished accordingly. This sort of maintenance occurs several times a year at my own course so the issue is understood but the timing was regrettable if you are only going to play a course on an ad-hoc basis.

The above said, the course is beautifully laid out/set up with very challenging carries or lines to negotiate from the tee; and poor shot-making rather than the condition of the greens, was responsible for my 'underwhelming' front 9.

There is good pro shop and the bar/catering facility is excellent.

to wet to make any judgement but i am sure its lovely cant wait to play it again

This is a must play course for everyone.A stunning course to play greens where lightening quick and underlated a test for all good putters,the last 6 holes where outstanding..The staff where very friendly food was excellent and all of Sweetwoods staff should be very proud of themselves for a excellent golf course and clubhouse..Take my word this is well worth playing...