East Sussex National

If you've ever wanted to walk the same fairways as some of golf's greatest players, the East Course is where your round begins.

Designed by Robert E. Cupp and created with championship golf in mind, the East Course has hosted the European Open, European Challenge Tour events and European Tour Qualifying School, welcoming legends of the game including Seve Ballesteros, Sir Nick Faldo, Ernie Els, Colin Montgomerie and Ian Woosnam. From the moment you step onto the first tee, it's clear this is a course built for the biggest stage.

Stretching beyond 7,000 yards from the championship gold tees, the East Course offers a true championship experience for those wanting to test every aspect of their game. Thankfully, multiple tee positions mean golfers can enjoy the same superb layout at a length that matches their ability, making it every bit as enjoyable for a relaxed fourball or society day as it is for accomplished players.

Generous driving areas encourage you to swing confidently from the tee, but the course steadily reveals its character as you play. Beautifully conditioned fairways lead to large, undulating greens protected by thoughtfully positioned bunkers and subtle run-offs that reward good course management and imaginative shot-making. It's the sort of layout that encourages you to think your way around rather than simply overpower it.
Save something for the closing stretch too. The finishing holes are among the finest in the country, providing a memorable conclusion to a round that balances championship pedigree with genuine enjoyment.

Signature Hole – 17th Par 4 | 450 yards (Gold Tees)
One of the East Course's most photographed holes, the 17th perfectly captures everything that makes this championship layout so memorable. Water hugs the left side before cutting across the fairway, demanding a well-placed tee shot that favours strategy over brute force.

The approach is no less impressive. Playing slightly uphill to a beautifully protected green with water waiting below, it asks golfers to commit to their club selection while rewarding a well-struck shot. Whether you walk away with a par or simply a great story for the clubhouse, it's a hole that stays with you long after the round has finished.

The West Course has a habit of surprising people.

Often overshadowed by its championship sibling, many golfers arrive expecting it to play second fiddle, only to leave talking about it just as much. More intimate in character and wonderfully scenic, the West winds through rolling Sussex countryside with a rhythm and personality all of its own.

Although it actually stretches slightly further than the East from the back tees, it plays very differently. Tighter driving lines, gently undulating fairways and subtle changes in elevation place the emphasis on accuracy, strategy and course management rather than outright distance. Like the East, multiple tee positions ensure every golfer can enjoy the layout in a way that suits their game.

It's this variety that makes East Sussex National such a rewarding golf break. After experiencing the scale and championship theatre of the East Course, the West provides a contrasting round that feels equally memorable for entirely different reasons. Many returning visitors even find themselves debating which of the two they prefer.

The West Course at East Sussex National is ranked as one of the best courses in London and the South East

Signature Hole – 12th Par 5 | 542 yards (Gold Tees)
The West Course is packed with memorable holes, but the par-5 12th is one you'll be talking about long after the final putt drops.

Horsted Creek shadows the hole almost from tee to green, becoming more influential with every shot. Longer hitters may be tempted to attack the green in two, but careful decision-making is often the wiser route, with water guarding the approach and distinctive American-style mounding protecting the left-hand side.

It's a hole that rewards patience and good judgement just as much as power, making it a fitting signature for a course that proves great golf isn't always about hitting the ball the furthest.

The Academy

Whether you're looking to loosen up before your tee time or spend an afternoon fine-tuning your game, the Academy at East Sussex National is one of the finest practice facilities in the South East.

The extensive driving range features both grass and all-weather hitting areas, allowing golfers to practise throughout the year, while dedicated pitching, chipping and bunker areas provide the perfect opportunity to sharpen every part of your game. Three putting greens and a championship-standard three-hole Academy Course complete the experience, making it an excellent facility for everyone from first-time visitors to experienced golfers preparing for an important competition.

It's yet another reason why East Sussex National is far more than somewhere to simply turn up and play 18 holes.

At the Clubhouse

Every great golf day deserves a great finish, and the clubhouse at East Sussex National is the perfect place to relive the best shots of the day.

With welcoming indoor spaces and a terrace overlooking the courses, it's easy to settle in with breakfast before your round, enjoy lunch between games or raise a glass after the final putt. Whether you're comparing scorecards, watching live sport or simply soaking up the atmosphere, it's a place golfers naturally gravitate towards throughout their stay.

Practical touches make life easy too. Spacious changing rooms feature lockers, power showers and a sauna to help you unwind after your round, while the well-stocked Professional Shop has everything you could need, supported by a knowledgeable team always happy to offer advice or assistance.

Other Information

East Sussex National has been designed with golfers' comfort in mind from the moment you arrive.

The resort offers a convenient bag drop service, allowing you to leave your clubs at the clubhouse before checking in. Your equipment will be transferred to the course, ready for your arrival on the first tee, before being securely stored overnight and prepared again for the following day's round. A complimentary club cleaning service ensures your equipment is always ready for the next day's golf.

Both courses are enjoyable to walk, although their rolling terrain means many visitors choose to hire a buggy, particularly when playing 36 holes during their stay. To help preserve the excellent course conditions, a 90-degree buggy policy operates for much of the year.

Halfway houses on both courses offer refreshments and light bites, making it easy to recharge before tackling the closing holes.