West Sussex Golf Club: Course Review, Green Fees, Tee Times and Key Info

The beautiful course at West Sussex Golf Club is widely considered to be one of the prettiest inland designs in the Top 100 as well as an excellent test of golf

West Sussex Golf Club
The approach to the beautiful par-4 fourth hole at West Sussex
(Image credit: Kevin Murray)

Top 100 Courses UK & Ireland 2023/24

(Image credit: Future)

West Sussex Golf Club Key Information

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Header Cell - Column 0 Header Cell - Column 1
AddressGolf Club Lane, Wiggonholt, Pulborough, West Sussex, RH20 2EN
Phone01798 872563
Websitewestsussexgolf.co.uk
Email secretary@westsussexgolf.co.uk
GFs£130 Mon-Thu, £150 Weekends
Visitor TimesAs above, generally 2-balls only
ParMen 68, Women 73
SlopeWhite/M 121, Red/W 129
Opened1930
ArchitectGuy Campbell

West Sussex Golf Club

Golf Monthly Verdict

West Sussex - Hole 15

(Image credit: Kevin Murray)

An extremely pretty and very peaceful heathland gem whose natural beauty accompanies you all the way. This is the type of course that should keep any golfer interested throughout, and is also one that rewards return visits as you learn to appreciate its subtleties. There is a brilliant and very memorable handful of par 3s.

Reasons To Play West Sussex

– Play one of the prettiest courses in England, one that is also good test of golf

– Enjoy the tranquil setting nestled in the Sussex Downs

– Decide whether to play the 6th as a par 3 or a par 4!

Rankings

UK & Ireland Top 100 Golf Courses 2023/24 - 58

Although it could hardly be more different, then alongside the Old Course at Rye, West Sussex Golf Club is home to one of just two courses in the county in the Top 100. It is also one of the best heathland golf courses in the UK, and certainly one of the most attractive.

One of the real joys of this scenic course is that it constantly twists and turns as you work your way over gently undulating and very springy turf that sits on wonderfully free-draining soil. It dates back to 1930 since when not a great deal has changed. Subtlety is far more important than length, and it opens with the lone par 5, a rare chance to get one up on the card.

Following this, it is blessed with five quite fabulous short holes and an array of tricky but fair and varied par 4s that will both challenge and delight. Its main defence is the heather, some perfectly-placed and very attractive bunkering, and subtle greens that demand your full attention at all times. It is unquestionably one of the best golf courses in England.

Gentle but easily walkable changes in elevation, play a role and add to the visual delight, with the course at its most dramatic at the super-tough 226-yard par-3 6th. This very photogenic and demanding hole is played from an elevated tee over a valley containing first heather and bracken, and then a large and very pretty pond which unusually is classified as out of bounds. Playing short and to the right is often the sensible choice, turning the hole into a dogleg par 3. Once safely on the long and narrow green, you may find the putting as difficult as the approach. It was originally designed as a par 4, and such is its severity that it’s certainly still a ‘bogey’ 4!

There are many strong par 4s, particularly at the 7th, 11th and 14th, before you finally reach what is the prettiest hole on the course and one of the prettiest par 3s anywhere. The short 15th, again over water, is picturesque. You then have a tough finish that can make or break a score.

The 16th plays over a deep depression to a severely sloping green, the long par-4 17th is beautifully bunkered, and the closing hole calls for two strong, straight blows to find the green.

This is one of the very best golf courses in Sussex and a delight to play.

West Sussex - Hole 6

The approach to the super-tough par-3 sixth

(Image credit: Kevin Murray)

What The Top 100 Panel Said

Mike Chapman UK&I Top 100 panel
Mike Chapman

There is no doubt that West Sussex is a very attractive course to play. It seems to fit well into its surroundings and once you have played away from the clubhouse there are very few external distractions to spoil the walk. Enjoy looking at the beautiful heather… but don’t go into it!

Nicholas Hercules UK&I Top 100 panel
Nicholas Hercules

A two-ball or foursomes only course and a traditional club totally comfortable in its own skin that offers an outsized warm welcome for golf lovers. A place rich in reward for golfing afficionados. It is a tremendous experience to visit West Sussex and I really cannot wait to return to this beautiful part of merry olde England.

Jamie Hudson UK&I Top 100 panel
Jamie Hudson

A well-dressed course with bunker-laden, lush fairways surrounded with vibrant purple encased in the captivating woodland - extremely easy on the eye. A truly enjoyable experience, a club that makes you feel very welcome and a course with a collection of par 3s that you won’t forget.

John Winter UK&I Top 100 panel
John Winter

Ponds and lakes, heather, superb bunker placement, clever use of the natural ground undulations, beautiful vistas and a charming, warm and friendly ambience back in the clubhouse all make West Sussex a must play.

West Sussex Golf Club Location

West Sussex Green Fees

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18 holes£130Mon-Thu - Apr to Oct
18 holes£150Friday
Row 2 - Cell 0 Row 2 - Cell 1 Row 2 - Cell 2

West Sussex Scorecard

West Sussex Scorecard

(Image credit: West Sussex Golf Club)

Best Courses Near To West Sussex

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<a href="https://www.golfmonthly.com/courses/top-100-courses/liphook-golf-club-course-review-60664" data-link-merchant="golfmonthly.com"">LIPHOOK

This classy, absorbing, heathland design has raised its game even higher in recent years with the addition of two new holes as well as three very cleverly reworked ones, all of which has improved the overall test and flow.

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<a href="https://www.golfmonthly.com/courses/uk-and-ireland/goodwood-golf-downs-course-review-121833" data-link-merchant="golfmonthly.com"">GOODWOOD - DOWNS

One of the finest downland courses in the country is the <a href="https://www.golfmonthly.com/features/the-game/what-courses-has-james-braid-designed-188002" data-link-merchant="golfmonthly.com"" data-link-merchant="golfmonthly.com"">James Braid Downs design at Goodwood. The round begins down in the valley but soon runs up into the hills where it offers far-reaching views over to Chichester and out to sea as well as plenty of entertaining golf.

Places To Stay Near West Sussex Golf Club

Chequers Hotel - Book now via Booking.com

This historic hotel is at the foot of the South Downs and provides a quiet haven with views over Arun Wild Brooks and the South Downs. Period features date back to 1548 and there are 9 bedrooms, an inviting inglenook fireplace, a great wine list and good local ales.

The White Horse Inn - Book now via Booking.com

The 5-star White Horse Inn has a terrace, private parking, a restaurant and a bar. With glorious views across the Pulborough Brooks and the South Downs National Park, it is a quintessential Sussex pub and fine restaurant

West Sussex Gallery

Historical Top 100 Rankings UK&I

  • 2023/24 - 58
  • 2021/22 - 57
  • 2019/20 - 52
  • 2017/18 - 51
  • 2015/16 - 55
  • 2013/14 - 54
  • 2011/12 - 57
  • 2009/10 - 53

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the best hole at West Sussex?

There is no doubt that it is the par 3s at Pulborough that will remain longest in the memory, with the super-tough 6th and the exceptionally pretty 15th arguably the pick of the bunch.

Can I play at West Sussex?

Visitors are very welcome so long as they book in advance, but this is a 2-ball course and so singles and foursomes play is very much the order of the day here.

Rob Smith
Contributing Editor

Rob Smith has been playing golf for 45 years and been a contributing editor for Golf Monthly since 2012. He specialises in course reviews and travel, and has played more than 1,200 courses in almost 50 countries. In 2022, he played all 21 courses in East Lothian in 13 days. Last year, his tally was 81, 32 of them for the first time. One of Rob's primary roles is helping to prepare the Top 100 and Next 100 Courses of the UK&I, of which he has played all but seven and a half... i.e. not the new 9 at Carne! Of those missing, some are already booked for 2024. He is a member of Tandridge in Surrey where his handicap hovers around 16. You can contact him at r.smith896@btinternet.com.