Royal Ashdown Forest – Old Course

The Old course which consistantly features in the top 100 courses in the British Isles is a bunkerless heathland course that follows the undulating hills of the forest. The signature hole on the front nine is a little 130 yard par 3, do not be fooled into to thinking this is short and easy, this par three has an island green and there is nowhere to miss so line yourself up and swing well or face a perilous up and down.

As you make your way outwards and upwards to the beginning of the back 9, the 11th tee box is situated on top of a hill that looks down into the valley and beyond. Try not to let the stunning backdrop distract you from the testing tee shot that faces you. A casual 249 yards downhill par three with little room for error, take a deep breath and make your Sunday best swing and you might walk away with a par if you are lucky.

Whilst making its way back to the club house the heathland winds its way past mature woodlands meaning that a number of holes are tree lined and very pretty. The penultimate 17th hole needs a well-placed tee shot of about 230 yards which will leave you with a tricky second shot down to a small green, in a basin surrounded by pine trees.  If you take a par here you will definitely be up on the field as this can be a costly hole for anybody who strays from the fairway.