Royal Ashdown Forest Golf Club

Royal Ashdown Forest is that rarest of golfing beasts — ancient, unbunkered, and absolutely unbothered by your 460cc titanium driver. It sits proudly atop the East Sussex high ground like a wise old druid, cloaked in heather, gorse and history, daring you to underestimate it. “Oh, no bunkers?” you say, smugly, as you breeze onto the first tee with the breezy confidence of a man who’s never had a 60-yard chip roll back to his feet four times. But by the fifth hole, you’ve realised the truth: bunkers are a courtesy. Ashdown doesn’t need them. Ashdown has humps, hollows, ravines, roots, mysterious bounces, and greens that slope as if designed by MC Escher in a bad mood. There’s a wonderful, almost monastic simplicity to the place. No glitz, no spa, no giant statues of Old Tom Morris greeting you in the car park. Just a handsome old clubhouse (where the chairs are deeper than most modern fairways), a collection of quietly terrifying par fours, and a welcome that’s warm — provided you don’t try to order a flat white or wear your cap indoors. The Old Course — which, incidentally, predates your swing thoughts by about 130 years — flows naturally across the Forest like it simply appeared, rather than being built. It’s golf in its rawest form: no earth moved, no bunkers dug, no mercy shown to anyone who doesn’t like a sidehill lie with a gorse bush licking their ankles. You’ll need imagination, patience, and the ability to play a punch 5-iron from pine needles without bursting into tears. And the greens? Firm, true, and protected by nothing but natural run-offs and the ghost of Colonel Seely, who once made birdie there using a brassie and sheer bloody will. Royal Ashdown has members with names like Crispin and Major Tim, who walk the course briskly, carry their own bags, and have zero tolerance for slow play or people who mark their balls with 50p coins. But they love the place with a reverence usually reserved for cathedrals and long-standing cheese counters. And the best part? When you finish, windblown and emotionally fragile, you sit in the clubhouse, pint in hand, and realise — that was real golf. Honest, ancient, beautiful. A course without bunkers, but absolutely not without bite. Ashdown doesn’t shout. It doesn’t posture. It just beats you up with a smile and offers you tea. And you’ll come crawling back for more.

Royal Ashdown Forest – Both Courses Old Course No bunkers, no tricks, no let-up—just a fabulous, beautiful challenge. A heathland classic: wonderfully natural and utterly relentless if you’re even slightly off your game. Sadly, I was way off mine, playing mixed foursomes with Mrs. V on my first (but hopefully not only) visit. The fairways twist and roll through the landscape, demanding precision over power, while heather, gorse, and the occasional tree-lined corridor ensure you’re never entirely comfortable. Conditioning was excellent, and the lightning-quick greens had plenty of subtle movement. Standout holes on the front nine include the short par-3 6th, where anything but pinpoint accuracy is punished, and the brutal par-4 9th, where holding the green with your approach is essential. The back nine starts with a par-5 that felt “gettable”—until I knocked our first putt off the front and watched it roll 30 yards down the fairway. The joy of foursomes… The back nine is a wonderful, peaceful walk in the wilderness. So many fabulous holes, but if pushed, I’d pick the 16th and 17th—both providing a memorable late-round test. It’s tough—no question—but brilliant. If you appreciate classic golf in a spectacular setting, you’ll love it. If you prefer flat lies and easy scoring, Royal Ashdown Forest is probably not for you! West Course Overshadowed by its more famous sibling, but the West is excellent in its own right. Shorter, quirkier, and with more variety in terrain, it’s a proper test—especially with tight driving lines and small, well-protected greens. Like the Old, there are no bunkers, but otherwise, it’s a very different experience. Elevation changes make for some really fun holes, particularly the par-4 2nd, which plunges downhill before requiring an accurate approach, and the 6th, a cracking par-3 over a valley. The closing stretch is excellent too, with the 16th and 18th demanding precision and good course management. A really enjoyable course and well worth playing. If it stood alone, it would get more attention—definitely not just an ‘overflow’ course! Verdict Two excellent courses in a stunning setting. The Old is a serious test of patience and shot-making, while the West is a charming, strategic challenge that’s just plain fun. If you get the chance, play both!

Royal Ashdown Forest, de West Course is de eerste baan die ik heb gespeeld die nul bunkers telt.

De ligging is prachtig en je hebt hier en daar mooie uitzichten. Het onderhoud is uitstekend en ondanks de hevige regenval van de afgelopen dagen/weken, is de baan goed te bespelen. De bomen en de zandondergrond doen hun werk. Je ziet daarbij ook dat de club ontzettend veel met drainage bezig is om de baan zoveel mogelijk bespeelbaar te krijgen.

Het is een oude Engelse baan met een oud clubhuis met rijke historie. Het clubhuis is wat stijfjes en het nodigt hierdoor niet echt uit voor een gezellig drankje achteraf.

Kris kras door de baan slingerden behoorlijk wat wandelpaden waar veel hondenbezitters gretig gebruik van maakten. We moesten regelmatig wachten tot de honden en hun baasjes van de baan waren.

De lunch is trouwens aan te raden met een zeer betaalbare smaakvolle menukaart.

Outstanding natural surroundings, great design but difficult golf course (only 2 balls per game can play). Maintenance could be better, with a little bit of investment it could improve significantly.

Ranked 46th in England and boasting Royal patronage, The Old Course at Royal Ashdown Forest offers a special golfing experience. When I entered the historic clubhouse, I knew it would be memorable.

Our day began with a delicious breakfast on the terrace, overlooking the 1st and 18th fairways. The clubhouse combines traditional charm with modern comforts

We were warmly welcomed by Pro Tim, who provided a helpful introduction to the club and course. What followed over the next four hours was golfing nirvana. The course offers stunning views, deep purple heather, and lightning-fast greens. Each hole is unique, keeping the round exciting and challenging. Despite having no bunkers, the course demands accuracy, and you can not simply blast your way around.

Notable holes include the narrow downhill par-5 5th and the picturesque par-3 12th, each offering beauty and strategic complexity.

The Old Course at Royal Ashdown Forest is a must-visit for golf enthusiasts, offering a blend of historical significance, natural beauty, and exceptional play.