Another very strong offering down in the Sussex heathlands.

Sussex is perhaps a touch unheralded compared to areas of Kent and Surrey, but with Piltdown and Rye (not yet played but offering a links contrast) there is real quality offering a worthwhile trip.

As you would expect, given the name, Crowborough Beacon sits perched atop a hill overlooking vast distances across the Sussex downs towards the Eastbourne coast, and the course utilises the terrain expertly. There are exceptional views afforded at many points and particularly within the first few holes, with the 1st a fantastic starting hole played down the hill away from the clubhouse sitting at the highest point.

I had heard that the course was difficult and it did provide a test, although in my opinion a playable one. There are quite a few tee shots requiring significant carries over heather and certain crossings of a stream running down the hill, not least the aforementioned 1st but also the V-shaped 5th played over a gully and the dog-legged 16th, all of which would be challenging to a shorter hitter. On the day we played it was certainly the speed of the greens that bore the biggest challenge, even on a day after overnight rain - decent-looking approach shots pitching on or before the front of the green could run through and off into collection areas, which took some getting used to and more practice of linksy-style bumped running approaches even to stand a chance.

A few areas of the course (between holes and in waste areas particularly) were a little scruffy, which could definitely be resolved in future, and the interplay with the road is a little quirky, but other than this it’s a very well put together club.