Photo of West Sussex Golf Club

West Sussex Golf Club

Golf Club Lane, Wiggonholt,

Pulborough, West Sussex RH20 2EN

  • Office

    +44 (0)1798 872 563
  • Pro shop

    +44 (0)1798 872 426
  • Fax

    +44 (0)1798 872 033
  • Golf pro

    Tim Packham (Head Professional).

About the course

  • The Course:

    18 holes. Tree-lined & open heathland. Gently undulating terrain - easy to walk.

  • Surroundings:

    Woodland and open rural countryside.

  • Designer:

    Original design by the firm Ferigna (Cecil K. Hutchison, Sir Guy Campbell & Col. Stafford V. Hotchkin).

Back
tees
Club
tees
Front
tees
Yards
6355
5961
5596
Par
68
68.6
73
SSS or slope
70.7
69
72.5

Location

Latitude:

50.940474

Longitude:

-0.477733

How to get there:

18 miles NW of Brighton

Follow the M23 past Gatwick to exit 11, then take A264 direction Horsham. After 6.5 mi turn left at Great Daux roundabout, onto the A24 direction Worthing. After 14.2 mi turn right at Washington roundabout onto the A283 direction Pulborough / Storrington. After 5 mi (passing through Storrington) turn right into Golf Club Lane. Follow lane for o.5 mi to golf. [Heading SE on the A283 from Pulborough golf turning is on your left after 1.5 mi].

West Sussex Golf Club

4-PLUS: Must play course - excellent standard; worthy of 4½ stars.

Est. 1931

West Sussex Golf Club: this prestigious members club, where visitors are made most welcome on weekdays, is home to a beautiful heathland golf course, often referred to as Pulborough. Weekend rounds can also be arranged, but tee-time availability is much more restricted than on weekdays.

The course, complete with its silver-sanded bunkers, mature Scots pines and copious quantities of heather, has some wonderful par-3 holes and a fine array of straight and doglegging par-4s. There is just one par-5 for men (five for women), which comes right up front. Some areas of the course are more wooded than others, although it's the clinging heather rather than trees that pose the biggest threat should you stray too far offline. Although only a par 68, this is a wonderfully challenging course that lays down an excellent test for your all-round shot-making.

The course at West Sussex has changed little since it was first laid out in the early 1930s. Perhaps the biggest change resulted from the early planting of birch and pine trees, which has created a more "wooded" heathland feel to many holes. The sixth was at some point changed from a dog-leg par-4 to the present formidable straight par-3. The only other alteration of note has been the loss of some of the original bunkering, although there's still plenty out there to threaten tee and approach shots alike.

The pictures and paintings hanging in the clubhouse are well worth a look. They clearly depict how the course has evolved since its original "open heathland" heyday. The painting of the 18th hole by Oliver Hall (hanging in the members' lounge) is a good case in point.

List of courses: England - South East

Visitors

Who can play and when?

Visitors welcome on weekdays; more restricted on weekends.

Must book in advance. Proof of handicap required.

Green fees

Visitor fee, 18-holes in high season (April thru' Oct): Mon-Thur £130; Fri-Sun £150.

Contact club for full details, discounts, packages, etc. [Last updated: 2023].

Other information

Players generally walk this course.

Practice facilities

Good

Did you know?

It was Commander George Hillyard (RN) who conceived the idea of a golf club on sandy farmland at Wiggonholt near Pulborough. His house overlooked an area of heather and marsh which he thought would make an idyllic setting for a natural course. The land was subsequently purchased and then leased to the newly formed West Sussex Golf Club.

Hillyard's first love was tennis rather than golf. In 1908, he won Olympic gold at the London games, playing doubles alongside Reginald Doherty. Under Hillyard's supervision as secretary of the All England Club (1907-25), the Wimbledon Championships were moved to their current site at Church Road. Hillyard was also a first-class cricketer, playing at various times for Middlesex and MCC.

Published ranking

England's 16th best course (Golf World, 2023).
Britain & Ireland's 42nd best course (Golf World, 2022).
World's 68th best public access course (Golf World, 2023).

Where2Stay

  • Amberley Castle4-star

    Amberley, Nr Arundel, West Sussex BN18 9ND

    +44 (0)1798 831 992

    Visit website

    A unique luxury hotel located in the picturesque village of Amberley at the foot of the South Downs. Privately owned, this magnificent 900-year-old castle is enclosed by a 60 foot high curtain wall and portcullis that remains open, behind which you will discover an enchanting hotel offering the highest standards of food and service.

    • Golf at this hotel:

      No

    • Golf within 5 miles:

      West Sussex

    • Golf within 20 miles:

      Mannings Heath

  • South Lodge Hotel4-star

    Brighton Road, Lower Beeding, Nr. Horsham, West Sussex RH13 6PS

    +44 (0)1403 891 711

    Visit website

    This magnificent country house hotel near Horsham in West Sussex, is set amongst acres of woodland and parkland. It is regarded by many as one of the finest luxury hotels in the south-east of England.

    • Golf at this hotel:

      No

    • Golf within 5 miles:

      Mannings Heath

    • Golf within 20 miles:

      West Sussex

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