Why You Should Experience East Sussex National

Highly Recommended on Golfshake, East Sussex National is a hugely popular venue in the UK, easily accessible from London, drawing thousands of visitors each year to this beautiful countryside estate, set across 1100 acres. Known for its luxurious facilities, quality hospitality and outstanding pair of championship standard courses, this is easily one of the finest golf break destinations in the South of England.

The brainchild of Canadian entrepreneur Brian Turner, who sought to establish a magnificent complex in the heart of the Little Horstead Estate, frequent Jack Nicklaus collaborator Robert E Cupp was enlisted to design the layouts at East Sussex National, which provide an enjoyable test and immaculately presented greens that have been engineered to reflect the highest specifications, a status that has seen the venue host several leading professional events, including two European Opens on the European Tour in the 1990s.

During those tournaments, the likes of Seve Ballesteros, Nick Faldo, Ernie Els, Vijay Singh, Colin Montgomerie, Jose Maria Olazabal, Sandy Lyle and Ian Woosnam have graced the fairways in Sussex, a championship pedigree, whose footsteps everyday golfers have been walking in since.

But there is even more to East Sussex National than just the golf, something we explore in this feature.

The Hotel

Overlooking the South Downs, there are 104 comfortable bedrooms to choose from at the hotel, each with the desired amenities and spectacular views across the courses and surrounding area. 

However, what truly enhances this site is the acclaimed Health Club and Horsted Spa, where guests can relax or unwind, whether that be through receiving treatments or taking a swim in the pool, it's a great spot to chill out after playing golf. 

During the evenings, the dining options at East Sussex National are superb, including the open-plan Hunningtons Restaurant and Carvery, which is a great spot to take in the wider setting, and for those who fancy something even more appetising, the Pavillion Restaurant is the recipient of two AA Rosettes.

Alternatively, The Lounge or Ryder Bar are the places to enjoy a quiet drink, with the latter being terraced and the ideal 19th hole to reflect on your exploits on the golf course.

The Golf Courses

What about those two courses, the East and West. There aren't many better 36-hole complexes to be experienced in this part of the world.

Measuring 7,138-yards from the back tees, but gratefully a friendlier 6,046 off the forward tees, the East Course hosted the European Open in 1993 and 1994, won respectively by the late Gordon Brand Jr and David Gilford, with much excitement being generated by the difficult 18th, a closing hole fraught with danger.

Likewise, the West Course is a fine test of golf, routed through ancient oak trees and streams, creating a narrower feel to the layout, but one that visitors thoroughly enjoy, particularly those standout imaginatively laid out holes, especially the par five 17th, which asks several key questions of the golfer when they play it.

There are many dog-legs and undulating fairways, placing a premium on accurate driving, which players of all standards will love attempting to navigate.

Looking at reviews left by the Golfshake Community, East Sussex National draws public acclaim.

Conclusion

When you consider the stature of the courses, the hospitality available at the hotel, and the facilities on offer, there is much to be said for East Sussex National, which is Highly Recommended on Golfshake for a reason, making it an attractive destination for golfers to consider visiting and sampling for themselves.

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