East Brighton Golf Club

Although windy good test of golf and well kept nice greens .beautiful views and fairways nice to play of.

I played the course today, the greens are very bad.
Very slow, bumpy, probably the worse I’ve played on in a while.

Enjoyed the course had nice weather could imagine it being a lot hard in wind and rain!!!
I found the front nine a lot tougher than the back nine well worth a visit will play there again!!

Fabulous course and would recommend it.

I was so looking forward to playing this course however the experience on the day was spoiled significantly by the adverse weather, ie high winds and rain in combination with poor visibility for the first 12 holes due to low clouds/mists.

As I wear glasses when playing most of my tee and approach shots on the first 12 holes or so were played blind; so I was very dependent on my GPS watch yardages and the eyes of my playing partners to spot the ball flight. I didn't even see my winning 'nearest the pin' shot en route to target.

I therefore cannot give a definitive view on the aesthetics of the whole course and the challenges to be met.

Unexpectedly; from about the 12th hole it became extremely difficult to see the precise target approach lines to the greens. This was because the flags were not in place in the holes but were instead laid flat on the greens pointed back down towards the fairways. This appeared to be a deliberate act by someone and not an accidental omission by a group ahead of us, whether by greenkeepers or members I don't know and could only speculate. This was on the upper part of the course and if it is a practice followed by members then it is not a welcome one. As I was in the leading group of our society this was enormously problematic. On one occasion near the end of the round my group played approach shots towards the wrong green which had a flag in it but was relatatively adjacent to the correct green which didn't.

The above said, I would love to play this course again under better viewing condititons in in order to get a better appreciation of the couse's qualities and assess how better to play it.

Hospitality received was excellent.

Having encountered excellent VFM elsewhere since becoming a TSGer; most notably through David Jacobs the organiser of the Epping Bandits at the mainly Essex courses; this is a mid range VFM assessment; better VFM in terms of midweek offerings, ie coffee & bacon rolls; full english breakfasts; green fees and occasionally hot meals post round; could be obtained elsewhere. The venue and the 'craic' with our fellow society members/players mitigated any negative thoughts.

Despite some horrendous weather I really enjoyed my round at East Brighton. There is a range (it is alongside the 18th fairway so not easy to spot), and a nice looking putting green.

The greens were very quick and kept you honest, no straight putts here! Each hole is a challenge either due to the wind (on one hole it moved the flight of ball roughly forty yards right to left), the terrain or a combination of both. Fortunately for us the wind was behind on the 18th which combined with the slope meant that I went over the back of the green 550 yards away with a 3 wood and 8 iron. Oh and the views are outstanding.

We had a late round so the clubhouse was closed by the time we got back, however we had a terrific ham, egg and chips beforehand.

Will look to play here again as it is a real test of golf - although maybe with a little less rain...

With the TSG discount this is great value, great views of the coast some tough holes with the wind - some par 3s were playing tough with wind going across!

Practice area is ok but you need to bring your own golf balls. There are nets and a putting green.

Clubhouse before game was friendly and pleasent but was surprised to find it shut when we finished round at seven o'clock on Friday evening.

Warning: this could be fairly long review, as it is not just about the golf course but the experience.

East Brighton is now on the very top of my favourite courses for many reasons:

1. Members' Club: so one can expect a well cared for, first class course.
2. Challenging for all level of golfers.
3. Amazing setting with unforgettable views as the course is high up.
4. Warm welcome from the Head Pro, Adrian Milligan, the Members, the Bar staff and the Commercial Manager, George, who came to greet us (TGSers), on the 1st Tee.
5. Today's Special (Mond 3rd Sep): sunny/warm weather & charming company with a competitive edge.
6. TSG deal: 50% off the Green fee.

Also excellent Pro Shop offering select makes of clothing (Men & Womens) & equipment. Practice green : mirror of greens on the course. Chipping area & sand bunker practice and a driving range. Clubhouse: traditional, not stuffy but welcoming. Good local beer.

East Brighton Golf Course is well over 100 years old (James Braid designed), built on chalk (excellent drainage/no temp. tees in winter), with stunning sea and Sussex Downs views. The 12th hole, the highest point on the course reveals all of the English coastline. Wide fairways, some with slopes, up or down, running to the greens, the grass is short and compact. 1st cut really good too & the ball is easily found & playable. Rough will punish you, so will the out of bounds, very often lined with a public footpath or bridle way. Water comes into play in form of some ponds with lots of widllife, & some fairways run down towards them.

The Greens are truly superb, 1st class condition, where the pitch/or chip ball stops as expected. Some tiered and ondulating. The very best. The design of the course is fluid and varied, some gradual climbs, some valley, some flat bits, some craters, remains form WW2 come into the design, deep bunkers with steps to climb down & back up again. Lovely soft sand. Everything is is superb condition & the sun added to the pleasantness of the game. A slight breeze at time, but quite welcome. I felt priviledged & blessed to be playing East Brighton for all of the above reasons.

Some favourites:

5th, long Par 5, sloping fairway toward the pond & semi rough, 1 fairway bunker and 2 by the green to catch you out, must be very tricky on a windy day.

9th, Par 4 (5 from the Red), a testing hole but very inviting up the valley to a elevated tiered green situated just in front of the lovely halfway hut.

10th, long Par 3, across the valley to a difficult green. Must be a card wrecker on windy day !

15th, Par 5, with wonderful views of the Channel, and a deep, large crater , some 90 yrds from the green.

16th (Par 3) & 17th (Par 4) have interesting hurdles to cross: a large pit, a deep bunker, some guarded by gorse.

As to the our Matchplay: A TSG posting resulted into a 4-ball consisting o 2 charming brothers, John & Tony A., Mr L. in holiday mood & I as happy as could be.

To keep the GAC tradition going, John proposed we do matchplay, but not Essex vs Kent this time, but "ESSEX vs MIDDLESEX" more appropriate to those present, and what better to keep the competitive edge going than Tony, a keen sportsman & passionate golfer with "local knowledge" as his home is only a bus ride away now, but from Essex originally. I believe Tony & John will be playing East Brighton for the next 2 days as well, maybe they will find the Yellow ball that mysterioulsy disappeared at the 3rd hole (?), which was frustrating as it was a very good tee shot, the ball landed just of the fairway ! I personally believe that the players reaching the 17th green must have picked it up wrongly. But such is golf sometimes even on the best courses....

The game was unhurried, lots of guidance along the way from John & Tony although from the "other side of M25" , uncrowded at the time we played, so plenty of time to take in the wonderful views all around, to have a "must" stop at the half way house, at the back of the 9th green, overlooking the tranquil valley (literally total tranquility where only birds can be heard (pheasant), kestrel & sea gulls seen. A pleasant stop for a cuppa and a rest admiring the scenery & looking at the score card & planning the next holes. Food can be ordered from the 9th tee and it will be ready for you after your 1 or maybe 2 putts....

A photo shoot (will be a nice reminder of a truly superb day) at the 12th by John, one of the TSG offical photograher (the tall handsome chap that was on duty on the Championship day).

We had a very close match, in fact so close we ended up level....so to keep the tradition going we are going to have a re-match next year....we are going to make this an annual event and it could be more than a 4-ball because I hope this review will tempt some of you. East Brighton is a course one must sample: the setting, the quality, the welcome and the fantastic TSG deal: GO and TRY, you will want to come back. A friendly atmosphere where tradition & contemporary blend so well (also one of the 1st Club to bring equal rights to Ladies!!!).

I expect my "short" review would read a little different had it been wet, windy & cold, but it would be interesting to experience such a golfing day at East Brighton & report to TSGers, so I shall go back before Christmas sometimes. Sadly The END of a truly enjoyable & fun round of golf in delightful company & superb setting!

This Private Members' club dates back to 1893, but is very forward looking and we were made to feel welcome by friendly staff and members. Superb location with spectacular views across Brighton, the South Downs and the English Channel. Although windy, I found this a very playable course with generous fairways, so not much time is wasted looking for balls. Great condition all round with superb greens and soft grassy fairways. Interesting terrain, with some 'links' style run offs and craters from 1940. Built on chalk ground, so should play well in winter - no temporary greens or tees. My highlight would be Hole 5, which has the 'wow' factor when you approach the tee - but keep left!
Don't miss the Halfway Hut for a break to savour the views, before the course climbs again to leave a demanding final 'stretch', especially if the wind is off the sea. Friendly clubhouse with good value food and even 'real ales'.

I've played several courses in this area, but East Brighton will be top of my list when I'm next in Sussex! Fantastic value at only £17.50 (Mon/Fri) with the new TSG offer.

Course in very good condition Greens played at a good pace plenty of roll Played it on a nice day but guess it can be very windy at times, with its wonderful views over the English channel. BEWARE of the race horse on the near by gallops and bridle path.