insideSUSSEX Magazine | Page 33

DAYSOUT

It ’ s tee time ...

THE BEST GOLF COURSES IN SUSSEX

Golf as we know it today was first introduced to the UK in the 15th century , although there had been a version of this stately game that was played in at least 100 BC , if not before . It was a Roman invention called ‘ paganica ’ and it involved players using a bent stick to hit a ball , which all sounds rather familiar .
By the time King James VI ascended to the English throne in 1603 , golf was played at court . How the king , his courtiers , and the public at large were playing is still a bit of a mystery , since the official ‘ Rules of Golf ’ weren ’ t created until 1744 . They were set out by the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers , and are still adhered to to this day .
The only change from the old version of golf to golf as we know it today came in 1764 . Due to space restrictions , the course at St Andrews was reduced to 18 holes . It had previously been 22 . Since then , the 18-hole format is the one that all courses have been built upon .
Today , golf is played by millions of people across the globe , and the beautiful county of Sussex is no exception ; in fact , some of the country ’ s best known and best loved golf courses are right here on our doorstep . Here ’ s a guide to some of our favourites .
GOLF AT GOODWOOD www . goodwood . com // 01243 755168
Golfing at Goodwood is all about you . There are no stereotypical , stuffy membership conditions to meet , and no strict tee times because it is all designed to be as flexible as you need it to be . Your golfing experience can be directly tailored to suit your golfing style and your lifestyle , no matter how much or how little time , experience , or confidence you have .
Goodwood consists of two beautiful courses . The Downs Course has ranked in the top 100 courses in the UK and is a course that offers views of Chichester Cathedral , as well as the splendour of the South Downs . On clear days , you might even be able to glimpse the Isle of Wight . It ’ s a tricky one , with plenty of doglegs and long sweeping greens that can test even the most experienced golfer . Then there ’ s the Park Course , which is an altogether more gentle way to play – although it still has its hazards in the form of some surprising switchbacks and bunkers .
DALE HILL www . golfclub . co . uk // 01580 200112
With over 350 acres of grounds , the two courses at Dale Hill are laid out to take in the best of the surrounding scenery . The High Weald is at its best here , and playing golf in such a lovely place is surely good for the soul .
Both the courses at Dale Hill are 18 holes . The first , designed by Ian Woosnam , is , as Woosnam himself describes : “ challenging enough to test the pros , yet accessible enough to be enjoyed by amateurs ”. You can ’ t ask for much more than that when it comes to golf – a place where everyone can enjoy the game on the same course , but for different reasons . The Dale Hill Course is the original one on the site , but has lost none of its charm and still makes for a satisfying round of golf .
33