Advice needed for Mid-Sussex novice!

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Zeek

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Hey guys

I've been reading everything here for a while now, so time for a first post! I'm early thirties, and took up golf for the first time last month. Got a bunch of lessons going on at Sedlescombe near Hastings, which I really enjoy, and the pro teaching me is fantastic. I went to a beginner golf school there, and have a good stack of individual lessons to take. I really like Sedlescombe - there's a great 3 par 9 hole course for us to learn on next to the main course, and the practice facilities are superb for lessons. The video lessons help me a lot!

Anyway, the club is about an hour from where I live. I don't mind that for lessons, but it is too far just to drop down and use the range or the practice greens. So I've been looking for something closer to home to use for practice between lessons, and assuming everything goes ok, as a club to join permanently.

I've got a few good clubs within range, but all of them seem a bit hard-core and/or expensive for a beginner (East Sussex National, Royal Ashdown Forest, Crowborough Beacon etc). I wandered down to Mid Sussex GC this week, and was really quite impressed. Friendly staff, nice place to look at and the facilities are good. Also, it is less than 15 mins from me, which is perfect. They also do a practice membership, which gives full access to the range with unlimited balls, practice greens, 3-par holes etc for £150 a year. I'm definitely going to sign up for that this week, but does anyone know anything about Mid Sussex? Anyone here a member or visitor? Is it under water during Winter etc?

The other thing that appeals about joining here is that they are part of a group of five clubs, which allow members to play at the other ones during the week. One of those is Mill Ride, which I have heard of and I think is pretty good...

So anyone know anything about Mid Sussex? The daunting thing about being a complete novice is that I'm pretty much rubbish! My half swing is pretty solid and repeatable, but having just recently started to use a full swing with full wrist bend, the results are far from consistent! I'm sure it will come with practice (is anyone just a natural at this?!) but at Sedlescombe I'm able to wander out in the afternoons/evenings and be on the course without any pressure to get out of the way of proper players. Lessons are going great, but joining a new club not knowing anyone, and without a decent game in my locker feels like a big step. Is it likely most clubs will have other members who are equally poor, albeit improving?!

Loads of questions here, so thanks in advance for any responses! I've seen a few people from this area on these boards, so hopefully when I can make it round without losing more than a handful of balls per round, then I hope I might be able to get involved!
 
All I know is that Neil Plimmer is pro there, and he's a GM top 25 coach. Which has to be good - you could always pm him to get his thoughts.
 
Hi Zeek

I live just down the road and have played Mid Sussex many times. Not being a member anywhere and playing a variety of courses in Sussex I would rate MS as a no nonsense, mid-priced club. I tend to take advantage of twighlight rates as you can play for about £15 and it is a nice test in a spacious and playable layout.

I say playable as I can only think of a couple of holes where you would have a problem being a beginner. Although there is water about, the fairways are wide with large landing areas and you can avoid the trouble with a bit of planning.

The 'feel' of the club seems pretty relaxed and by no means stuffy. I am sure that as a beginner you would not come up against the golf snobbery that infects itself in many more prestigious clubs.

Finally, and echoing another comment, they have an excellent Pro in Neil Plimmer who hold regular 'roll-up' coaching sessions and is very enthusiastic about developing any standard of golfer.

PM me if you want any other information.

Good luck.
 
Thanks for reading and responding guys!

Sounds like it might be at least a good option. I'm going to go down and sort out this practice membership, and have noticed they do a winter membership, so I might see how I get on with that, and check out whether it is possible to play there all winter.

Thanks for the tip about Neil - I'll drop him a line...

I'm based up near Horsted Keynes. There are a couple of options up this way like Paxhill (looked, didn't really like it) and Haywards Heath (Not sure about this one). I could travel a bit further to Lewes which I've read here is nice, but having had to travel to Sedlescombe for the lessons, I know I'll get tired of having to go too far, and I want to be able to get down there at least 3 times a week for practicing, so want something close really.

Glad to see there are some local people on here. I haven't lived here long, so it is nice to see there are possibilities if I can learn the game! I did the par-3 9 hole course last week for the first time while keeping proper score and finished with 44. I was aiming for 45, so was really pleased and surprised when I added up at the end, because it felt like 74 on the way around, and I was all over the place!
 
Hi Zeek,

I'm a beginner and I've just joined Lewes which I'm very impressed with. There is no problem in getting a game as the pro-shop will pair you up if you don't know anyone like me. So far everyone I've been paired with and those I've met in the clubhouse have been very friendly. The pro has a very good reputation as a teacher and after having an on-course lesson with him I would agree.

After being a member for a month I've got in enough rounds to get me a handicap ..... not bad in my book

I would definitely recommend Lewes to anyone ...
 
Forget Paxhill (poor quality and bad layout) and HH (too snooty), but here are some to try:

Hassocks - Short and no-nonsense municipal, can get busy but no time restrictions for non-members as to when you can play (unless there is a competition).

Singing Hills GC - Similar to Mid Sussex but better design and some more interesting holes (and more expensive!).

Brighton and Hove GC - only a 9 holer but a nice layout with a fantastic Par 3 where you shoot to a green 100 ft or so below the tee (fantastic views)

There are also some good Par 3 courses/short 9 holers if you want to get your confidence up before tackling one of the above. Try either Burgess Hill Golf Academy or Cuckfield Golf Centre.

Check their websites and take your pick.
:)
 
Hi Zeek,

I'm a beginner and I've just joined Lewes which I'm very impressed with. There is no problem in getting a game as the pro-shop will pair you up if you don't know anyone like me. So far everyone I've been paired with and those I've met in the clubhouse have been very friendly. The pro has a very good reputation as a teacher and after having an on-course lesson with him I would agree.

After being a member for a month I've got in enough rounds to get me a handicap ..... not bad in my book

I would definitely recommend Lewes to anyone ...
Click to expand...

Hey Chrimbo. Thanks for the info. I'm going to take a wander down to Lewes at some point to see how long it takes from my place. Glad to know it is a good club if it is close enough! So what handicap have you been given?
I don't know if they'll give out three figure handicaps for me yet;)
 
Forget Paxhill (poor quality and bad layout) and HH (too snooty), but here are some to try:

Hassocks - Short and no-nonsense municipal, can get busy but no time restrictions for non-members as to when you can play (unless there is a competition).

Singing Hills GC - Similar to Mid Sussex but better design and some more interesting holes (and more expensive!).

Brighton and Hove GC - only a 9 holer but a nice layout with a fantastic Par 3 where you shoot to a green 100 ft or so below the tee (fantastic views)

There are also some good Par 3 courses/short 9 holers if you want to get your confidence up before tackling one of the above. Try either Burgess Hill Golf Academy or Cuckfield Golf Centre.

Check their websites and take your pick.
:)
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info. I didn't like Paxhill much, mainly because it seemed to be entirely focused around the golf college. Didn't get any kind of acknowledgement from them either when I went to recce the place.

I'd read on here that Hassocks was good, but it is on the other side of Haywards Heath and Burgess Hill from me, so would take ages to get to no doubt. Saying that, I will head down to try out the Burgess Hill place, because they have a pretty good range there I think.

Lewes and Mid Sussex are the same price for annual membership. I also read here that Lewes is great throughout the middle of winter, not sure if Mid Sussex is too. Although, Lewes might be playable, but I bet it is freezing and windy up there:)
 
Lewes is a fantastic course for winter golf. They have never (as far as I am aware) used a temporary green, and when other courses in the area are closed due to flooded fairways etc. you can always guarantee a game at Lewes.
It does get a bit windy up there on occasions, but on a calm day it's a lovely place to play. Not too difficult, the nice thing about it is "what you see, you get"...no hidden ponds, bunkers or ditches. The aforementioned greens are as nice to putt on in January as most other courses are in June or July!
I would highly recommend Lewes to you if you don't mind travelling a little bit.
How about Piltdown? That's not a bad track, although it is a lot tougher to play (I think) than Lewes. Very similar to Crowborough Beacon or Royal Ashdown as far as heather and gorse is concerned, so can be a bit of a "ball losing" course for a beginner. Maybe a bit more expensive than Lewes as well????
 
Lewes is a fantastic course for winter golf. They have never (as far as I am aware) used a temporary green, and when other courses in the area are closed due to flooded fairways etc. you can always guarantee a game at Lewes.
It does get a bit windy up there on occasions, but on a calm day it's a lovely place to play. Not too difficult, the nice thing about it is "what you see, you get"...no hidden ponds, bunkers or ditches. The aforementioned greens are as nice to putt on in January as most other courses are in June or July!
I would highly recommend Lewes to you if you don't mind travelling a little bit.
How about Piltdown? That's not a bad track, although it is a lot tougher to play (I think) than Lewes. Very similar to Crowborough Beacon or Royal Ashdown as far as heather and gorse is concerned, so can be a bit of a "ball losing" course for a beginner. Maybe a bit more expensive than Lewes as well????
Click to expand...

Smiffy - It's been cracking weather so far at Lewes but I've been told stories of gale force winds and hail .... still all adds to the fun :) With regards to Piltdown it's very expensive and from what I've heard very 'old fashioned' .........

Zeek - I was given a 27 handicap which I'm slightly disappointed in but then as SWMBO pointed out it was only my fourth time playing 18 holes and I started playing in September '08.
 
Thanks Chaps. I'll definitely take the trip to Lewes to have a look around. I have lesson number 3 at Sedlescombe tonight, so I'll see if there is any improvement!

I've just noticed that Crowborough Beacon actually do cheaper membership for the under 36s, and drop the joining fee too. That actually brings it in below Mid Sussex and Lewes etc, although I don't know that it will make a good total beginners course?! I'll drive over and have a look at some point too. I'm not in any hurry to join anywhere, and will be spending time at Mid Sussex to use the practice facilities anyway.

Chrimbo - I'd be pretty chuffed to get 27 right now! I think mine might be someway higher than that when it first arrives!
 
I've just noticed that Crowborough Beacon actually do cheaper membership for the under 36s, and drop the joining fee too. That actually brings it in below Mid Sussex and Lewes etc, although I don't know that it will make a good total beginners course?
Click to expand...

Joining Crowborough too early could put you off golf for life. It's a lovely track, one of the best in the area...but is bloody tough. I would get a year or two under your belt first and be hitting the ball reasonably well before I thought about joining there. Honestly!!
Go and play it by all means. But take plenty of balls
;) ;)
 
Cheers Smiffy - I figured that would be the case:-)

I've got a couple of years before I reach 36 anyway!
 
Couldn't agree more Smiffy - I played Crowborough a few weeks ago and there are some pretty tough tee shots, as well as hard fairways and plenty of heather/long grass/trees!!. There are some holes where there simply isn't a 'bail out' so I would go with a more open track if I were Zeek.

I can't vouch for Lewes as although I have heard good things, I have never played the course. Mid Sussex does seem to be open throughout the year with very few closures due to the weather (if you are into Winter golf).
 
I can't vouch for Lewes as although I have heard good things, I have never played the course.
Click to expand...

If you fancy a knock round there one day, let me know and we'll arrange a meet. That goes for you too Zeek. It isn't expensive to play there, they take 2fore1 vouchers so even on a Sunday it's only £20.00 for unlimited golf!
I usually get Thursdays off of work and am fairly flexible on Sundays, although I have quite a few pre-arranged matches coming up.
Rob
 
Thanks Smiffy - I'll definitely take you up on that sometime, but I'll spare you the pain right now, and make sure I can at least get around a course first;)

I've been invited to play at a place called The Grove in November for my bosses 40th birthday. I think it's a pretty nice place, so have only agreed in principle, and said if I am not progressing by then, I'll duck out!

snaphookedwedge - not sure about winter golf yet!! Definitely plan to keep it up this winter as much as I can, just because I figure I have tried to hit this the right way and start with lessons, and don't want to forget it all over the first winter, so if Mid Sussex is open all winter, then that's probably good for me.
 
Thanks Smiffy - I'll definitely take you up on that sometime, but I'll spare you the pain right now, and make sure I can at least get around a course first;)

I've been invited to play at a place called The Grove in November for my bosses 40th birthday.
Click to expand...

The Grove???
THE GROVE!!!!!!

That is probably the hardest course I have ever played in twenty odd years. Water, bunkers, gorse and heather everywhere!! I played out of my boots around there and still lost at least 6 or 7 balls....
 
LOL well I knew it was going to be bad, which is why I didn't say yes for definite! He says he has a number of "hackers" in his group, but they all say that don't they?!

:)
 
zeek, were it me I'd be inclined to go, suitably armed with lots of donnays of course.

a golfing invite from the boss is not lightly to be spurned, and may not come again.
 
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