Golf Courses in Sussex worth giving a go...

[SULLY COULDNT SHOOT]

I lived there in 1968 for a couple of years, my parents were Steward & Stewardess there, a great course as young as I was I remember it well.

Personally (albeit a very biased opinion as I was the Assistant Pro there for a few years) The Dyke is a very good course.....well it was!!

Hardly played any golf since my twenties but in my teenage years golf was my first sport (grandfather played in the open and won many trophies at Walton Heath). Was member at EB for three years 1977-80 and Rye 1982-1985 (only member of the modern.. we had a cowshed for members). A year as member in York (cant remember which course) when at Uni and then played as bit at Aspley Guise with my Dad from time to time by which time my game had fallen apart due to inactivity. Could probably still go round EB in under 100 (I hope)

 

[Booley]

I'm a member at Littlehampton, really great course and a challenge too with the wind!
Some nice tee's by the sea too

 

[Dave the OAP]

Love mid Sussex, hassocks, the dyke, singing hills, my favourite is sweetwoods.

Not that keen on west hove, pyecombe, waterhall or tillgate park

Rusting ton is a fun little course as is Brighton and hove.

 

[nordicgod]

Have been a member at west hove and also east Brighton in the past , lovely courses, I do like to play chartham park near east grinstead aswell, that's a super course especially the 16th hole. Also ham manor near rustington .

Sent from my HTC Desire S using Tapatalk

 

[KZNSeagull]

My Parents used to know the secretary of Littlehampton GC he will have passed away by now I'm sure, but I expect there is still referance to him, Group Captain Richard White.

I played there many times years ago, again another good links course.

Steve Graham is the Secretary at Littlehampton now. If you were an assistant at the Dyke (depending upon when you were there), you may have come across him as he was, and probably still is, one of the best amateurs in Sussex. Was County Champion several times, I seem to remember.

 

[hitony]

Steve Graham is the Secretary at Littlehampton now. If you were an assistant at the Dyke (depending upon when you were there), you may have come across him as he was, and probably still is, one of the best amateurs in Sussex. Was County Champion several times, I seem to remember.

I was assistant at the Dyke literally from the start of 1970 I was 15 playing off scratch ( I had played golf from the age of 6) the pro I worked for was an incredible man called Brian Hemsley who I now know has sadly passed away some years ago, I did tour the sussex county (and other southern areas of Great Britain) as an assistant pro but cant say I ever came across Steve Graham.

When Brian went to Spain to take a club over, I wanted to go with him but he had his own family, in fact had a son a bit older than me, I was to young and did not have the backing to take over the full role of Professional, they bought in a young scottish guy who was only 3 or 4 years older than me called Jimmy Hay, whereas Brian was teaching me the proper way, with Jimmy I sadly became nothing more than a shop keeper and lost all interest, i was still quite young and started becoming easily influenced by drink and girls etc, in the end I gave it up after about 6 months of Jimmy being there.

After giving it up as a profession I never hit a golf ball for over 20 years, to be honest I rebelled against everything for a while I suppose I had to get quite a few years of a rigerous routine and strict regime out of my system, I can say i did that quite well I do play again now and have done for quite a few years and still love the game, the differance now is my head says I can still play shots like i used to as a kid, my body reminds me that in many cases I can't!!! I now play of a 10 handicap, I was at one time playing off 5 but because of work etc I could'nt play as much as i wanted to.

Why i have given you my "Golfing" life story i don't know what I can say is through golf I met and played with many famous people and have incredible memory's of those times

 

[champion7]

i would support those who suggest Singing hills,good course and you get to choose a combinatio of 3 9 holes to make up ur 18 holes.

 

[Jesus Gul]

Just over the Sx border but I've just found out that Moatlands at Brenchly nr Tonbridge is no longer. I really enjoyed that track when I played it.

A travesty. Golf courses should not be allowed to close!!

Apparently it's all overgrown now. The google earth image shows it in decline.

 

[KZNSeagull]

I was assistant at the Dyke literally from the start of 1970 I was 15 playing off scratch ( I had played golf from the age of 6) the pro I worked for was an incredible man called Brian Hemsley who I now know has sadly passed away some years ago, I did tour the sussex county (and other southern areas of Great Britain) as an assistant pro but cant say I ever came across Steve Graham.

When Brian went to Spain to take a club over, I wanted to go with him but he had his own family, in fact had a son a bit older than me, I was to young and did not have the backing to take over the full role of Professional, they bought in a young scottish guy who was only 3 or 4 years older than me called Jimmy Hay, whereas Brian was teaching me the proper way, with Jimmy I sadly became nothing more than a shop keeper and lost all interest, i was still quite young and started becoming easily influenced by drink and girls etc, in the end I gave it up after about 6 months of Jimmy being there.

After giving it up as a profession I never hit a golf ball for over 20 years, to be honest I rebelled against everything for a while I suppose I had to get quite a few years of a rigerous routine and strict regime out of my system, I can say i did that quite well I do play again now and have done for quite a few years and still love the game, the differance now is my head says I can still play shots like i used to as a kid, my body reminds me that in many cases I can't!!! I now play of a 10 handicap, I was at one time playing off 5 but because of work etc I could'nt play as much as i wanted to.

Why i have given you my "Golfing" life story i don't know what I can say is through golf I met and played with many famous people and have incredible memory's of those times

Very interesting! So you are now mid 50's, so Steve Graham would have been after your time. I think he is about the same age as me, maybe younger so mid 40's ish. Do you remember Bernard Firkins and Joe Burrell at Haywards Heath maybe? I joined there as a junior in 1976 and they taught me for a while. Bernard gave up being a pro to go into the church, Jo I believe is still the pro at Copthorne - if that is right, he would have been there for at least 30 years (he was an amateur at Hollingbury originally).

A good friend of mine was a very good amateur in the 70's and was lucky enough to join West Sussex when they were doing a special junior scheme at the time - all the top juniors were members there for a while - Martin Galway, Nick O'Byrne, Andy Broadway etc. Dunno if you remember any of them? He says that every monthly medal was like a county championship for a while!

I was also a junior at HH with Richard Arnold, who was the pro at the Dyke for a while in the 90's. I never got good enough to compete at their level, but played off 4 or 5 for about 20 years and was a member at HH for 27 years before emigrating. Now I am in SA with a dodgy handicapping system (and playing in the sun most of the year round on a golf course that is in stunning condition most of the time), I am now playing off 3, but am not playing anything like enough to play to it regularly.

Glad you are playing again though. I always fancied becoming an assistant, but it is really just a glorified shop assistant at most clubs. The pro at HH for years, who is now at Mid Sussex, has 4 or 5 assistants, but they hardly play - they mainly teach. The pro himself hardly ever played at all and he was very reluctant to play with us after a while as he knew that we would beat him. Shame really.

So now you have my golfing history in retaliation! There is nothing like some old golfers to bore the will to live out of people!!

 

[Gangsta]

Royal Benfield?

That's if the Pikey's aren't still in the car park. Found a knife on one of the greens once.

 

[BALDISBEAUTIFUL]

Try The Dyke, wonderful greens and a good test of golf. I am a member but I probably wont be playing until late December due to Knee replacement. Keep in contact if you want?

 

[Munkfish]

Very interesting! So you are now mid 50's, so Steve Graham would have been after your time. I think he is about the same age as me, maybe younger so mid 40's ish. Do you remember Bernard Firkins and Joe Burrell at Haywards Heath maybe? I joined there as a junior in 1976 and they taught me for a while. Bernard gave up being a pro to go into the church, Jo I believe is still the pro at Copthorne - if that is right, he would have been there for at least 30 years (he was an amateur at Hollingbury originally).

A good friend of mine was a very good amateur in the 70's and was lucky enough to join West Sussex when they were doing a special junior scheme at the time - all the top juniors were members there for a while - Martin Galway, Nick O'Byrne, Andy Broadway etc. Dunno if you remember any of them? He says that every monthly medal was like a county championship for a while!

I was also a junior at HH with Richard Arnold, who was the pro at the Dyke for a while in the 90's. I never got good enough to compete at their level, but played off 4 or 5 for about 20 years and was a member at HH for 27 years before emigrating. Now I am in SA with a dodgy handicapping system (and playing in the sun most of the year round on a golf course that is in stunning condition most of the time), I am now playing off 3, but am not playing anything like enough to play to it regularly.

Glad you are playing again though. I always fancied becoming an assistant, but it is really just a glorified shop assistant at most clubs. The pro at HH for years, who is now at Mid Sussex, has 4 or 5 assistants, but they hardly play - they mainly teach. The pro himself hardly ever played at all and he was very reluctant to play with us after a while as he knew that we would beat him. Shame really.

So now you have my golfing history in retaliation! There is nothing like some old golfers to bore the will to live out of people!!

I think Mid Sussex has about 5 male Pros and one lady at the moment, they have just extended the Pro Shop and are doing a lot of work on the driving range and lessons, although i cant see how or why they need as many Pros as they currently have.

 

[KZNSeagull]

I think Mid Sussex has about 5 male Pros and one lady at the moment, they have just extended the Pro Shop and are doing a lot of work on the driving range and lessons, although i cant see how or why they need as many Pros as they currently have.

If they have kept most of the clients they had at Haywards Heath, they will be busy I can assure you! Michael has always kept up with the times re technology etc and always been very competitive with his prices in the shop. I think Michael is general manager there now, isn't he? He is a nice guy and if you want a laugh, ask him about his forays into Zen golf when younger!

If Mark Fairhall is still with him, he could teach you a think or too about hitting a golf ball - well worth watching on the practice range! His short game, though, is not up to much, so don't watch him chipping and putting!

 

[Munkfish]

If they have kept most of the clients they had at Haywards Heath, they will be busy I can assure you! Michael has always kept up with the times re technology etc and always been very competitive with his prices in the shop. I think Michael is general manager there now, isn't he? He is a nice guy and if you want a laugh, ask him about his forays into Zen golf when younger!

If Mark Fairhall is still with him, he could teach you a think or too about hitting a golf ball - well worth watching on the practice range! His short game, though, is not up to much, so don't watch him chipping and putting!

Iv never had lessons, but have only been playing a little over a year now, Since they have updated the range and tech at Mid Sussex i have become more tempted by them.

I think your right about Michael being General Manager now, but a theres been to many changes to keep up with of late. lots of work going on, trying to improve it after the last owners left it in a right mess.

My only issue with Mid Sussex is they need to move the Pin postions around a bit more.

 

[Tricky Dicky]

i would support those who suggest Singing hills,good course and you get to choose a combinatio of 3 9 holes to make up ur 18 holes.

There could be a 4th 9 if they get their planning permission.

 

[KZNSeagull]

Iv never had lessons, but have only been playing a little over a year now, Since they have updated the range and tech at Mid Sussex i have become more tempted by them.

I think your right about Michael being General Manager now, but a theres been to many changes to keep up with of late. lots of work going on, trying to improve it after the last owners left it in a right mess.

My only issue with Mid Sussex is they need to move the Pin postions around a bit more.

Just thought - have a look and see if the SCGU are still doing the County Card scheme. If you are a member at Mid Sussex, you can pay a nominal fee and get a card that allows you to play other courses (not all in Sussex either) at discounted rates. May be worth your while if you are going to play other courses a lot. There are restrictions as to when you can play, but it is a good way of playing elsewhere. Some of the more "exclusive" clubs are not in it, I seem to remember, but most Sussex clubs are.

Oh and Piltdown is a nice little course as well.

 

[hitony]

Very interesting! So you are now mid 50's, so Steve Graham would have been after your time. I think he is about the same age as me, maybe younger so mid 40's ish. Do you remember Bernard Firkins and Joe Burrell at Haywards Heath maybe? I joined there as a junior in 1976 and they taught me for a while. Bernard gave up being a pro to go into the church, Jo I believe is still the pro at Copthorne - if that is right, he would have been there for at least 30 years (he was an amateur at Hollingbury originally).

A good friend of mine was a very good amateur in the 70's and was lucky enough to join West Sussex when they were doing a special junior scheme at the time - all the top juniors were members there for a while - Martin Galway, Nick O'Byrne, Andy Broadway etc. Dunno if you remember any of them? He says that every monthly medal was like a county championship for a while!

I was also a junior at HH with Richard Arnold, who was the pro at the Dyke for a while in the 90's. I never got good enough to compete at their level, but played off 4 or 5 for about 20 years and was a member at HH for 27 years before emigrating. Now I am in SA with a dodgy handicapping system (and playing in the sun most of the year round on a golf course that is in stunning condition most of the time), I am now playing off 3, but am not playing anything like enough to play to it regularly.

Glad you are playing again though. I always fancied becoming an assistant, but it is really just a glorified shop assistant at most clubs. The pro at HH for years, who is now at Mid Sussex, has 4 or 5 assistants, but they hardly play - they mainly teach. The pro himself hardly ever played at all and he was very reluctant to play with us after a while as he knew that we would beat him. Shame really.

So now you have my golfing history in retaliation! There is nothing like some old golfers to bore the will to live out of people!!

The name Joe Burrell does ring a bell, Mr Hemsley (as I had to call him in those days) did ensure I met and was introduced to everyone he felt it was important, I was a young kid and met so many people and unless they were famous I didnt remember them Brian was big friends with the likes of Tony Jacklin (I did actually do 9 holes with him at the Dyke one day) Bernard Gallagher, Big friend of Mr Hemsley) Brian Huggatt, Peter Alliss came in the shop once to see Mr Hemsley, Bernard Hunt and many more of that 60 / 70 era.

I did play in an Assistant Pro final against Warren Humphrey, I'm sure it was at St Georges Hill, Warren beat me 2 and 1, I always remember that because I was only just 16 and it was the first time I had a professional caddie and by god did the old fella know that course!!!! (that old fella was younger than I am today ) he did not know me at all, we went onto the practice area for a bit and i just hit some balls with differant clubs, after that he "Clubbed" me to perfection, In fairness warren was a better player than me and deserved to win.

As you say in most cases being an assistant pro meant being a glorified shop keeper, again Brian hemsley would insist I played at least 3 or 4 times a week with a club member, i played for my fee which was £1 and it got doubled as long as I won, i only ever lost once , he would teach me how to repair golf clubs, re-grip clubs etc, but yes I did do my stint in the shop and cleaning members shoes and clubs all for the princely sum of £5 for a 6 day week (and it meant working every weekend!) I did go to a school in Hassocks (i think?) once a week, in the summer evenings (I have no idea of the name of it, it was a private school and i think a part boarding school as well) and teach on the school playing field, I was always with the professional as well though.

You name Richard Arnold, I only remember that name as on many occasions going back to Brighton I have driven up to the Dyke and gone back down memory lane and I remember seeing his name on the board up there.

Over the years my wife had listened to my stories of the past about golf and especially about Brian Hemsley as she knew he was like my second father for a while, and I always respected him, anyway for my 40th birthday she did her research and found out he was the pro at gatwick manor a small 9 hole course, he would have been getting on a bit by then so a course like that would have suited him (bear in mind this was pretty much before the internet and computers were an every day thing) anyway she arranged a surprise birthday treat for us to stay in a hotel right by Gatwick Manor and she had not told me that Brian was there, after we booked in on the friday night and were having dinner she told me that Brian Hemsley was the pro and hopefully I would be able to meet him on the saturday morning, I didn't sleep properly that night I was so excited, we had breakfast, I could not wait, I was like a kid at xmas!

I walked into the pro shop and there was an elderly gentleman behind the counter, it had been many years since I had seen Brian, I said excuse me are you Mr Hemsley (have to be honest I really thought he was) he said "do you mean Brian Hemsley" I said Yes, and then briefly, but very quickly explained who I was, expecting him to say something................. the gentleman then told me that Brian had sadly passed away a few months ago, he then explained to me how etc, i shook his hand walked outside and won't deny I was very upset...............

Ahh this has got me all nostalgic now

Apologies if I have rambled on, but they are great memorys.

 

[SkankieBiscuit]

I will go with this as it is my regular.

I lost my Brighton and Hove Albion cap here, you didn't pinch it did you!!

Can't say I pinched it, just picked it up off the ground, no one else around

 

[CaptainDaveUK]

Seaford Head golf course. Played this course every day for 3 months when I was doing my A levels. It's a fantastic course, with some magical views. Had so many nearly hole in ones, 12th was always exciting because you never knew how close you were because of a blind green. Many times I thought I was close, climbed the hill to find no ball on green! Was it in the hole? Alas no, although my mate Craig Waller got a hole in one on the par 4 17th! The 18th tee on a summers day is stunning.

 

[willyfantastic]

is Neil Plimmer still at Mid Sussex?
He was an incredible coach and a really nice guy. Sorted me out with work experience down there about 8-9 years ago too