East Sussex National Golf Club

East Sussex National Golf Club, Uckfield, South East, England, TN22 5ES

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19 reviews of East Sussex National Golf Club

Played and stayed a few times in the autumn over the past few years. The hotel lobby and bar area are not what you would call intimate a little like an airport lounge. Rooms are large clean and comfortable. The restaurant is pleasant with nice views of the courses, the staff very accommodating. Both courses can have standing water on the fairways in very wet weather. There are two golf courses the West and the East. The west is challenging, well laid out and just a joy to play. In my humble opinion one of the best laid out course I have played. The East is of a stadium design, is great to play in contrast to the west and is a real bombers course but skill and touch around the greens is vital for a good score. All round a great package all twelve of us who played want to go back. Four of our party who played and stayed went back two months later.

Posted by Mr A Wing on 17/12/2013
4
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Overall Rating 4
  • Overall Ratings
  • Green conditions 4
  • Clubhouse 4
  • Course challenge 5
  • Staff service 4
  • Value for money 5
  • Green conditions 4
  • Clubhouse 4
  • Course challenge 5
  • Staff service 4
  • Value for money 5

Having been not been on a great deal of weekend golf breaks myself I found it tough to decide on where to send my parents for their anniversary so I contacted yourgolftravel.com. They asked me for a rough location and then recommended East Sussex National after hearing what I was looking for. I have to say they must now what they are talking about as my parents came back pleased as punch with my gift to them! Apparently both golf courses are simply outstanding and evidently they are enjoyable for golfers of varying standards. (My father is an accomplished single figure handicapper while my mother plays off 19.) As a keen golfer myself I am now very much intending on visiting this resort, especially after being told that both courses were designed by an architect from the Nicklaus design company and the fact that they have hosted the European Open! Apparently the hotel was top class as well and the spa was a particular highlight. Upon receiving my quote I was a tad concerned by the low price and that it may reflect the quality of the resort but by all accounts I got a steal of a deal and so will be using yourgolftravel.com from now on! Top marks for both YGT and East Sussex National and many thanks from me for making my gift to the parents a great one!

Posted by David Rawlinson on 11/04/2012
5
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Overall Rating 5
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  • Green conditions 5
  • Clubhouse 5
  • Course challenge 5
  • Staff service 5
  • Value for money 5
  • Green conditions 5
  • Clubhouse 5
  • Course challenge 5
  • Staff service 5
  • Value for money 5

Have heard great things about this resort so was very happy when my mates said they'd booked it up for our annual golf break. The East and the West are really tough courses and even off the yellows we struggle to get anywhere near our handicaps. The greens are really fast and the course is really set up for pros. Lovely hotel and the food was great. 4 stars.

Posted by David on 08/02/2012
4
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Overall Rating 4
  • Overall Ratings
  • Green conditions 4
  • Clubhouse 4
  • Course challenge 4
  • Staff service 4
  • Value for money 4
  • Green conditions 4
  • Clubhouse 4
  • Course challenge 4
  • Staff service 4
  • Value for money 4

Played both the East and the West courses over a weekend in November 2010. First up was the West course on Saturday. The front nine posed a few interesting challenges, the 1st for example requires a well placed tee shot to take a large oak guarding the green out of play. Water comes into play on the par 3 3rd. I found the back nine much more interesting though, starting with the 10th which really tests your nerve, requiring a 2nd shot over water to a narrow green. The 13th is a beautiful little par 3 and the homeward bound holes all require accurate tee shots to tree lined fairways. The 472 yard, par 4 14th is a real brute. The character of the East is very similar with water coming into play several times. I would suggest that it is slightly more open but that is not to say that there are not hazards waiting for an errant tee shot. The closing holes are memorable. The 16th is a well guarded par 3 with water and bunkers while the 17th requires a fairly long second shot over water again. Both are potential card wreckers (the 17th did for mine!). The 18th is a great closing hole, going up hill to the clubhouse. For the longger hitters there is the opportunity the cut off the corner over some trees. Generally both courses were in good condition despite some really heavy overnight rain. There are four different tees which allow for all abilities. It's also worth mentioning some really good practice facilities including a range, several putting greens and an 80 yard pitching/chipping area. The clubhouse is a fantastic building with great changing rooms and a nice bar. All the staff were extremely helpful, especially the bag drop who cleaned our clubs after the round on Sunday. We managed to get a great deal which included those two rounds, overnight stay, full use of the spa facilities, 3 course dinner and breakfast all for £110. The whole experience is highly recommended.

Posted by David Metcalfe on 18/11/2010
5
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Overall Rating 5
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  • Clubhouse 5
  • Course challenge 4
  • Value for money 5
  • Clubhouse 5
  • Course challenge 4
  • Value for money 5

Arriving at East Sussex National for the first time last week, I was daunted by what seemed to be a vey exclusive club. My fears were very quickly laid to rest by a warm and freindly greeting at the door and a comprehensive set of instructions on where to go. Breakfast was very good and very reasonably priced with as much coffee as one can drink and I can drink a lot of coffee. As you would expect, the course is in excellent condition. I played the east course which I am told is the easier of the two but it provided a stern enough test for a humble 11 handicapper. The course is long but easy walking. The par fives offer an opportunity for birdies from the tees of the day. Most of the par 4's demand an accurate second to the green. The par 3's are not easy but neither are they daunting and the work is certainly not over once you are on any green. The greens are tricky and fast for the time of year and I found them difficult to read. Throughout the day there were staff on hand to offer advice and support although the layout of the course does not make for difficult navigation. After the round we were invited to the members bar for a drink. I don't think this is unusual at the club but a nice gesture nonetheless. Anyone thinking of taking on the challenge of a 'championship' course would find East Sussex National a 'perfect' foil. I cannot applaude too highly the welcoming style of all the staff and the pleasure of playing a challenging course in the warmth of the March sun made this a day to remember.

Posted by paul eckhardt on 10/03/2009
5
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Overall Rating 5
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  • Clubhouse 5
  • Course challenge 4
  • Value for money 5
  • Clubhouse 5
  • Course challenge 4
  • Value for money 5

Played the West Course on Saturday February 14 as the wet weather of the winter started to fade away. Delayed on the trip down but called the club and they were fine about pushing back my tee time. Once I got there I saw why - there were four other golfers on the course as I played my round - almost perfect millionaire's golf. Very surprising as I eventually teed off at 12noon on a Saturday. Upon arrival first impressions were somewhat unfavourable - from the car park the club and hotel look like one of those red-brick Tesco superstores. However, dump your sticks at the bag drop, walk over the glass-panelled bridge through to the impressive club house and huge pro shop housed in rotundas and things immediately improve. As hotel guest I got £5 off the green fee for the West Course so paid £45 - a buggy was £25 but I don't think I would have bothered had they told me in the pro shop that it was cart paths only. The course is long, but even longer when the path hugs one side of the fairway and you are on the other. I worked out that with all the toing and froing on the 450-odd yard 18th that I walked about 1000 yards because of one errant shot. Anyway, the course itself was in fine condition, with the greens exceptionally good despite the recent downpours. At the first the very friendly starter rightly cautioned against going off the back tees after enquiring about my handicap (a shaky 20) especially as although the fairways were dry-ish to walk on, balls were not running very far at all. He said unless I was a very big hitter, I might find it extremely difficult and therefore unenjoyable. He was right and made his suggestion in a very polite way. The West course is a fine layout - the tees are positioned so that whatever your standard, you play to the same challenges as longer hitters. It's fairly wide open so not too many chances to spend time looking in the trees or thick, thick rough for mis-hits. Plenty of variety and interest on the Par 4s and 5s but until you get to the final Par 3, the 16th, the one-shot holes are a disappointment. Just short, flat holes to pretty average greens. The 16th is, however, much better with a short across water that requires very accurate club selection. The course bills itself as having the toughest finishing section in the country. The 16th is, well as described, tough if you pick the wrong club. The 17th has two water hazards to contend with and is tough but the 18th, isn't anywhere near as hard as advertised. The only reason I had trouble was the course planner set me up to aim to the right of the fairway, leading to some issues with rough and bunkers but otherwise, not so special - still a nice hole though. Overall, a very pleasant course, in great condition and Ok (but not great) value at £45. Worth a trip.

Posted by Alan Tovey on 16/02/2009
4
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Overall Rating 4
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  • Clubhouse 4
  • Course challenge 4
  • Value for money 4
  • Clubhouse 4
  • Course challenge 4
  • Value for money 4

I played both courses on 25 July as part of a Society. Having enjoyed playing here before in 2005 it was clearly evident how much the courses have deteriorated in that time at the expense of the hotel and its residents (some who have probably never played golf before). The condition of both courses was generally poor (especially the West Course)with unrepaired pitchmarks abound, ropey fairways and many unraked bunkers. Our Society was placed behind another very slow hotel resident society group resulting in a six hour round on the East Course. At one point their were 4 groups on the short 16th tee! After lunch this was followed by a 4-5 hour round on the West and a closed halfway hut. The slow pace resulted in our society sitting down for dinner at 21.45! The layouts of both courses are very good with some memorable holes. The off course facilities are also excellent. However, I would recommend that unless you are prepared to wait up to 15 minutes over every shot during peak times, then it is best left to the hotel residents.

Posted by Peter Frost on 30/07/2008
4
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Overall Rating 4
  • Overall Ratings
  • Clubhouse 5
  • Course challenge 4
  • Value for money 2
  • Clubhouse 5
  • Course challenge 4
  • Value for money 2

Played the East Course in early December. Poor wet weather the week before, and although it was wet underfoot and a bit muddy the course held up well. Played off the blue tees which on the par 5's was quite a stretch given the lack of roll. Notable holes were the 8th - how anyone can get a birdie chance? 10th and 17th, again both involving water, bunkers and twisting approaches. Club house and hotel first class - a lot of money has been spent here. Friendly staff and well stocked shop. £40 for the round which was fair - would like to play in the summer when both the scenary and ground conditions would increase the enjoyment 10 fold.

Posted by Alistair How on 07/12/2007
4
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Overall Rating 4
  • Overall Ratings
  • Clubhouse 5
  • Course challenge 4
  • Value for money 4
  • Clubhouse 5
  • Course challenge 4
  • Value for money 4

I played the West Course on 18/5/2006 which used to be the old members course. The overeall condition was very poor with the fairways being very long and the greens looking like they were diseased and covered in pitch marks. The service and value for money was good especially as I paid only £30 for a twilight rate. The poor conditioning of both courses is simply down to the fact that they now have only 20 green staff as opposed to the 40+ when the place first opened according to one of the starters and that they let on loads of corporate hackers who don't give a damm and can't play. Overall the club is not what it used to be and probably never will be again unless the new owners invest big time in the course and staff numbers but it's good to play it once for the experience.

Posted by A J on 22/05/2006
4
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Overall Rating 4
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  • Clubhouse 4
  • Course challenge 4
  • Value for money 3
  • Clubhouse 4
  • Course challenge 4
  • Value for money 3

played this course on 28th may , and couldn't believe the difference from this course to the normal ones we play the staff are so friendly , they can not do enough for you, nothing seems too much trouble from the excellentley priced breakfast ( 9.95 for double english !!!) to the drop of zone and the friendlyness in the pro shop its like a different world , the course was in the fantastic condition and we played off the blue ( championship tees , note to people who play these courses if you play off less than 20 handicap , dont tell them they may ask you to play off blue tees and it adds upto 50 yrds on most par 4's !!) the best part of the day though was when you comeback into the club house ,the greet you take your bags off you to the drop off point at the front of the club house and actually CLEAN your clubs for you!!! if you do get a chance definately mark this course in your diary to play we are going back inaugust as they have some really good mid-week offers

Posted by mark taylor on 23/06/2005
4
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Overall Rating 4
  • Overall Ratings
  • Clubhouse 5
  • Course challenge 4
  • Value for money 4
  • Clubhouse 5
  • Course challenge 4
  • Value for money 4

I played the East course on Saturday April 17th. 2004. I had played this course a couple of years earlier and was really impressed. I must say that the course has gone alarmingly downhill. I was shocked at the poor condition of the course, particularly the greens, they are appalling! Of course the premium price has not changed. The catering leaves much to be desired too. Is it unreasonable to expect a premium product for a premium price? I will play my local municipal, it is much much cheaper and the greens are much much better. I do sincerely hope that they can get the East Sussex back to it's former high standard but I fear it is going to take a bigger commitment than is being made at the moment.

Posted by John King on 18/04/2004

Played the West Course on Friday 23rd May, all in all a superb day out. From the moment your bags are taken from the drop zone, you get the feeling that the staff there have your enjoyment as a No 1 priority. The course itself was stunning (tighter than the East). The quality of the greens and fairways are a joy. Even the starter seems to enjoy his work, offering good advice for the first few holes. I cannot wait to go back. Neil Gaines (31/05/03)

Posted by Neil Gaines on 31/05/2003

This is one of the finest courses in the area - both courses are in first rate condition, the clubhouse is excellent and the people couldn't be any friendlier. Don't bother with the cabbies over at the London Club or the Mike Baldwins over at Wentworth, Stoke Park etc. - this beats them all and is well priced too.

Posted by Mike on 26/03/2002

A fantastic day out and the only course I've ever played where £45 can be considered a bargain. Played from the White tees the East course is very enjoyable for all standards of golfers, if you can master the fast undualting greens. On top of the golf, the club house and facilities are the best I've ever experienced. East Sussex will become an annual venue for our party!

Posted by Bob on 25/07/2000

From the moment they take your golfbag from your car at the 'drop zone', the club oozes quality. Magnificant clubhouse, excellent customer service. As for the course, it could not be better maintained. The fairways are like carpets and the greens are slick, but still hold your approach shot. Generous off the tee, but the problems start around and on the greens - on a number of occasions we putted right off the greens into semi-rough! The course has a grandeur which you rarely find in this country. This is golf in heaven.

Posted by Tony on 05/07/2000

Just that little bit too far out of town to make the trip regularly but definitely worth it. For my money beats the other new, US style courses hands down (London, Bucks, Hanbury etc). Great value too by comparison.

Posted by [email protected] on 03/12/1999

The east course is long,but with generous fairways and quick greens,whilst the west(members)is tighter but the fairways/greens are also of a very high standard!\r\nBoth courses are a pleasure to play and live up to their high expectations.\r\nThe clubhouse like the golf course is also exceptional.\r\n

Posted by MARK HINDMARSH CANON UK LTD on 04/06/1999

SUPERB

Posted by on 03/06/1999

Exceptional clubhouse, excellent catering facilities, immaculate practice areas. Lovely American-style (Nicklaus) layout in typical English countryside. Worth making the trip from London.

Posted by [email protected] on 08/10/1997

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