Hidden Gems

[evahakool]

After discovering Hoylte GC in Sussex last year a wonderful hidden gem, could anyone recommend any other hidden gems in the Kent / Sussex area?

Will be travelling down in July and hope to play in a few senior opens.

 

[ADB]

After discovering Hoylte GC in Sussex last year a wonderful hidden gem, could anyone recommend any other hidden gems in the Kent / Sussex area?

Will be travelling down in July and hope to play in a few senior opens.

I always mention this, but Piltdown GC is well worth a visit in the better weather.

 

[Canary_Yellow]

After discovering Hoylte GC in Sussex last year a wonderful hidden gem, could anyone recommend any other hidden gems in the Kent / Sussex area?

Will be travelling down in July and hope to play in a few senior opens.

I live in West Kent and have driven past Holtye on countless occassions, it never occurred to me that it might be a nice course to play - I might just do so now you've recommended it.

Ignoring the bigger names in the area (i.e. Hever, Knole Park, Wilderness, Nevill, Dale Park, the London Club, Tandridge which are all very nice) on the basis you want hidden gems, I would naturally have to plug my own course, Lamberhurst (it's not particularly well publicised), but also Leeds Castle (could be in better repair but it's a stunning setting). Also, don't know if it's a hidden gem but Crowborough Beacon is lovely. For a links course have a look at Littlestone - it's in the shadow of the big names in Kent / Sussex, (St Georges, Rye, Deal, Princes) but it's a good course.

 

[User20205]

I always mention this, but Piltdown GC is well worth a visit in the better weather.

I've always fancied a potter around piltdown, I wonder if they do a twilight rate?

Near me I'd rate Knighton Heath and burley as hidden gems. Both pretty short but good fun, with top notch greens.

 

[ADB]

I've always fancied a potter around piltdown, I wonder if they do a twilight rate?

Near me I'd rate Knighton Heath and burley as hidden gems. Both pretty short but good fun, with top notch greens.

Yes they do, 25/30 quid from memory and it is always quiet. Best to wait for sometime around July - Sept when it is at its best but I would love to return having not played there for a couple of years. I will organise in Arrange a Game nearer the time....

 

[User20205]

Yes they do, 25/30 quid from memory and it is always quiet. Best to wait for sometime around July - Sept when it is at its best but I would love to return having not played there for a couple of years. I will organise in Arrange a Game nearer the time....

Nice one. I'd be up for the trip. I really like that bit of East Sussex.

 

[Tongo]

I've always fancied a potter around piltdown, I wonder if they do a twilight rate?

Near me I'd rate Knighton Heath and burley as hidden gems. Both pretty short but good fun, with top notch greens.

Only played there once but really enjoyed it. Need to get back there this summer.

 

[evahakool]

I live in West Kent and have driven past Holtye on countless occassions, it never occurred to me that it might be a nice course to play - I might just do so now you've recommended it.

Ignoring the bigger names in the area (i.e. Hever, Knole Park, Wilderness, Nevill, Dale Park, the London Club, Tandridge which are all very nice) on the basis you want hidden gems, I would naturally have to plug my own course, Lamberhurst (it's not particularly well publicised), but also Leeds Castle (could be in better repair but it's a stunning setting). Also, don't know if it's a hidden gem but Crowborough Beacon is lovely. For a links course have a look at Littlestone - it's in the shadow of the big names in Kent / Sussex, (St Georges, Rye, Deal, Princes) but it's a good course.

Thanks for all the replys guys.
Re Hoylte it might not be to everyone's taste but I loved playing there, a very quirky tight course with two loops of nine and has one of the best par 3s I've played anywhere, think it might have been the 5th and the par four after that is also a great looking hole from a elevated tee.

Always wanted to play Leeds Castle so might try it this year, had a look on Lamberhurst web site and looks really good so will try and get a game there also.
Thanks.

 

[evahakool]

I always mention this, but Piltdown GC is well worth a visit in the better weather.

Never played at Piltdown but my brother (Golfmmad) might have played there as he lives in Seaford, so could perhaps get a game there.
Cheers.

 

[Oddsocks]

Holtye is awesome, I'll end a member there at some point even if it's just a county membership. Another great for me is seaford head, absolutely love that place!

 

[ADB]

Holtye is awesome, I'll end a member there at some point even if it's just a county membership. Another great for me is seaford head, absolutely love that place!

Worth playing SH just for the tee shot on the 18th - the rest a bit hit & miss IMO

 

[Canary_Yellow]

I'm going to compile a list of courses I'd like to play in the East Sussex / West Kent area. I haven't played enough away from my home course so all of these suggestions are great, keep them coming.

On my list at the moment:

Tandridge (for a treat)
Piltdown
Seaford Head
Holtye

 

[Golfmmad]

Never played at Piltdown but my brother (Golfmmad) might have played there as he lives in Telscombe Cliffs, so could perhaps get a game there.
Cheers.

Changed that for you Bruv.

I do know of Piltdown, bought a club there once - a wood - and tried it out in their nets. Went in the clubhouse after for a drink and felt really out of it. Was either a "Country Gent" type society there or an old boys network kind of place.

But it certainly wouldn't put me off playing there! :thup:

 

[Golfmmad]

Yes they do, 25/30 quid from memory and it is always quiet. Best to wait for sometime around July - Sept when it is at its best but I would love to return having not played there for a couple of years. I will organise in Arrange a Game nearer the time....

Would definitely be up for a game there Ade, put me down when you start the list! :thup:

 

[Smiffy]

Piltdown is a nice course, pretty tight in places. A bit like Crowborough Beacon (which is just around the corner) but without the elevation changes .
That's why a lot of Crowborough members go on to join Piltdown when they get too old to cope with the trek. From memory, I think the pro at Crowborough (Dennis Newnham) used to be the assistant at Piltdown.
Very, very snobby though, as Chris (Golfmmad) has pointed out above.
I've played it loads of times and would certainly be up for a knock around there at sometime in the future.
Holtye is nice too. Another course very similar to Crowborough Beacon despite only being a 9 holer. I won a corporate day around there a few years ago with 40 points. The previous years winner got the right hump with me....
I always enjoy a game at the Nevill. Some nice holes on there, and always in very good condition.
Lamberhurst is OK too but the one hole that always "does me in" is the 6th. Dogleg right that is uphill from the tee. I hate it, and hardly ever score on there! They have changed a couple of the holes on there over the last few years.
I have played Seaford Head a good number of times, and it's not bad for a cheap round of golf, but I much prefer the other course in Seaford, "Blatchington". It's a bit dearer to get on, but is generally in better condition and I think it has a much nicer layout. 2nd hole there is one of the toughest par 4's you'll play anywhere. I usually enter the Seniors Open there in April, I'm just waiting for the entry form to become available and will give it another go.

Another nice course, although a bit further out, is Worthing. Two courses, "Upper" and "Lower". I've not played the "Upper" but the "Lower" is a stern test of golf. Wonderful turf, but some really, really tough par 4's.
They have a Seniors Open being held there this year on Thursday 30th July. Entry cost is £35.00 to include food, and that is a bargain!
I've highlighted an entry form below, if you fancied it I wouldn't mind coming along for a round to make up a team!
http://www.worthinggolf.co.uk/files...69/Seniors_Open_-Visitors_Entry_Form_2015.pdf

 

[MashieNiblick]

Don't know if they qualify as hidden gems as locally they are well known and very highly regarded but anyone playing Calcot Park near Reading or East Berks near Crowthorne will have a very enjoyable round of golf. Both well established traditional courses. Not long by today's standards but both offering a great all round test. Nothing tricked up. Calcot a Harry Colt design with good changes of elevation and tricky undulating greens. East Berks flatter, more healthland style where accuracy off the tee is essential.

http://www.calcotpark.com/course.html

http://www.eastberkshiregolfclub.com/Home.aspx

 

[MashieNiblick]

Don't know if they qualify as hidden gems as locally they are well known and very highly regarded but anyone playing Calcot Park near Reading or East Berks near Crowthorne will have a very enjoyable round of golf. Both well established traditional courses. Not long by today's standards but both offering a great all round test. Nothing tricked up. Calcot a Harry Colt design with good changes of elevation and tricky undulating greens. East Berks flatter, more healthland style where accuracy off the tee is essential.

http://www.calcotpark.com/course.html

http://www.eastberkshiregolfclub.com/Home.aspx

Oops meant to post on the other hidden gems thread

http://forums.golf-monthly.co.uk/showthread.php?73397-Local-Hidden-Gems&highlight=hidden