Crowborough Beacon Golf Club
Founded in 1895, the dramatic heathland setting of Crowborough Beacon Golf Club has an unrivalled position on one of the highest points in Sussex, enjoying far-reaching views to the sea 22 miles away. The course has been influenced by two legendary golf course architects during its time, Harry S. Colt and Dr. Alister MacKenzie, both of whom left their mark on what is a spectacular golfing venue, delivering dramatic golf holes and breath-taking views.
The course can be challenging as it has many bunkers and elevation changes but this just enables you to soak up more of the Sussex views that you can see across the treetops. The course measures a little over 6,200 yards long but you will need to play with accuracy if you want to score well as it is hard to place the ball on the greens as they are very small! Crowborough Beacon is a pretty course and after a round here you will remember almost every minute of it as it is so enchanting and there are a wide range of different and unique holes for you to tackle as you work your way round the course. This is a perfect addition to your UK golf escape to Sussex…
Overview
Facilities
18 Holes, Bar, Buggy Hire, Club Hire, Driving Range, Par 71, Pro Shop, Restaurant
Gallery
Full details
Although Crowborough Beacon Golf Club is a genuine members club, you are sure to receive a warm welcome here and receive top quality service throughout your visit to the club and your round.
The 1st hole at Crowborough is a “once played, never forgotten” experience; the tee shot offers a spectacular, slightly intimidating opening to the round with a 196-yard carry from the white championship tee. But, on a dry summers day, the ball will bound down the hill toward a pleasant approach and a green that falls gently away from you.
It is often said that if your scorecard is intact when stood on the 7th Tee at Crowborough then you’re doing well, as following the spectacular 1st, comes the challenging 449-yard stroke index 1, 2nd Hole. Leaning on Bernard Darwin again, “the 2nd hole is, I think, the finest on the course”; an aggressive drive should be aimed at the far corner of the dogleg, allowing the ball to track the lay of the land when returning to ground. This leaving an approach across a deep gully to a large green that breaks perceptibly from left to right, again with fine views beyond.
Moving onward to the spectacular 6th Hole, traditionally named ‘The Speaker’ after Speaker Gully of the House of Commons. A 191-yard par 3 played across a deep quarry to a difficult green that slopes subtly from right to left as you approach. A hole that can be played both aggressively and in the traditional running style, using the natural topography to shape your shot to the green.
The next series of holes deliver picturesque running fairways lined with deep purple heather, as well as a slight relief from the opening six. These holes include the three par 5’s; the third and final of which being the 498 yard 14th which offers a glorious view of the South Downs every step of the way. With a solid drive onto a links style fairway, the opportunity to reach the green in two arises. But beware, there is an 80-yard heather cross-rough and the large gathering bunker to the front left of the green. A wonderful risk and reward par 5 set against the most magnificent backdrop – a truly memorable hole.
A final word from Bernard Darwin leads us into the 18th Hole, “Finally, the home hole, a really difficult finishing hole with its carry over heather from the tee, and its narrow opening between bunkers, through which the perfectly struck second shot must be steered. And so we are at home again with the restful terrace – or is it a balcony (!!) – close by, waiting to receive us and enjoy the view, as beautiful as ever.”
This is an exciting and memorable course – one not to be missed out on.