West Sussex
Known to golfers simply as Pulborough, West Sussex Golf Club opened in 1931 to a design by Guy Campbell and Cecil Hutchison. A par 68 of roughly 6,330 yards, it is the apotheosis of the traditional heathland course, a layout so natural and so beautiful that many rank it among the finest inland rounds in England.
Photo: West Sussex Golf Club via Google.
The verdict
Pulborough is the kind of course that golfers cross the country to play and then return to for the rest of their lives. Opened in 1931 and designed by two outstanding architects, Guy Campbell and Cecil Hutchison, with Stafford Hotchkin also associated with the work, it sits on a quiet pocket of Sussex heath where heather, pine and water combine into something close to perfect.
At under 6,400 yards from the back markers, West Sussex is a par 68 that proves length is the least interesting measure of a great course. The challenge here is one of precision and nerve. The par 3s are famous, the approaches demand commitment over heather and water, and the natural, unforced feel of the design is exactly what makes it so highly regarded. It is, simply, one of the most thought provoking and aesthetically pleasing courses in British golf.
West Sussex at a glance
- Opened
- 1931
- Design
- Campbell, Hutchison
- Type
- Heathland
- Par
- 68
- Yardage
- ~6,330 yds
- Green fee
- Visitor rate
Opening year, design history and par verified June 2026 from West Sussex Golf Club and leading course databases. West Sussex opened in 1931, designed by Guy Campbell and Cecil Hutchison, a par 68 of roughly 6,330 yards. West Sussex welcomes visiting golfers; green fees vary by season and day (indicative, 2026), so always confirm the current rate directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
The set of par 3s is what golfers talk about first. Campbell and Hutchison used the heath and the water so cleverly that each short hole asks a different and exacting question, none more so than the run across water that has to be carried with a committed strike. Get them right and a score is there; flinch and the heather and the ponds collect the timid shot.
The par 4s do the rest with quiet authority. Fairways thread between heather and silver birch, the bunkering sits exactly where you would rather it did not, and the greens are subtle enough that the approach has to be played from the correct angle to leave a fair putt. Nothing is forced, nothing is tricked up, and the round flows naturally over the gentle Sussex ground.
Above all it is the beauty that lingers. Heather glowing in late summer, pines standing over the fairways, the South Downs on the horizon. West Sussex is a course you finish wanting to play again immediately, and a natural centrepiece for a trip through the golf of the south coast.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Private members' club that welcomes visiting golfers and societies on selected days outside member competitions; advance booking through the club is essential |
| Green fee | Indicative visitor green fees in the region of 95 to 160 pounds depending on season and day (2026); always confirm directly before booking |
| Booking | Reserve ahead through the West Sussex office; the course pairs well with the downland golf at Goodwood for a two course Sussex trip |
| On the day | Smart golf dress on course and in the clubhouse; the heathland walk is gentle and dry underfoot; trolleys available |
| Getting there | At Wiggonholt near Pulborough in West Sussex, off the A283 and A29, about 90 minutes from London by road |
| Best months | Heathland plays firm and true much of the year; late summer brings the heather into full color |
Access and fee details verified June 2026; rates change by season and day, so always confirm directly with the club or your trip planner before booking.
Where to stay nearby
West Sussex sits in the quiet country near Pulborough between the South Downs and the coast, so most visitors base around Chichester, Arundel or Pulborough and build a trip around the golf and the scenery.
The natural pairing is with the downland Downs Course at Goodwood a short drive south, giving a group two contrasting classics, heath and down, within easy reach for a memorable West Sussex weekend.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Pulborough.
Build a West Sussex golf trip
We arrange tee times at West Sussex Golf Club, pair the heath with the downland at Goodwood, and book the lodging around them. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
West Sussex questions
When did West Sussex Golf Club open and who designed it?
West Sussex Golf Club at Pulborough opened in 1931, designed by Guy Campbell and Cecil Hutchison, with Stafford Hotchkin also associated with the work. It is widely regarded as one of the most natural heathland courses in England.
What is the par and length of West Sussex Golf Club?
West Sussex is a par 68 of roughly 6,330 yards. Its modest length is no measure of its challenge, with demanding par 3s and exacting approaches over heather and water.
Can visitors play West Sussex Golf Club?
Yes. West Sussex welcomes visiting golfers and societies on selected days; book in advance through the club and confirm the current rate before you travel.
Why is West Sussex Golf Club so highly rated?
It is celebrated as one of the most natural and aesthetically pleasing courses in the country, a heathland layout where heather, pine and water combine to create a thought provoking and beautiful round.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Opening year, design history and par verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.