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EnglishWhat Is Royal Ashdown Forest Golf Club and How Do Its Old and West Courses Differ?
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Royal Ashdown Forest Golf Club is a traditional members' golf club founded in 1888 and set in the heart of the Ashdown Forest in East Sussex, England. It offers two entirely natural courses: the Old Course, an open heathland layout with heather, humps, hollows, pools and streams and views across four counties, and the West Course, which winds through mature broadleaf woodland. Choose the Old Course for the classic heathland test and the long views; choose the West for a tighter, tree-lined round. Both are shaped from the land as it stands — according to the club, no earth has been moved, no ponds dug and no streams diverted.
Club identity and setting
- Founded: 1888, making it a club with more than 130 years of history.
- Character: a traditional members' club, not a resort-style facility. The club presents continuity as part of its appeal — little has changed over its history.
- Location: Chapel Lane, Forest Row, East Sussex, RH18 5LR. Contact: 01342 822018, [email protected].
- Recognition: the Old Course is rated (2025) in the Golf World Top 100 Golf Courses in Great Britain & Ireland.
The Old Course: natural heathland
The Old Course is the club's headline layout. Its defence is the terrain itself: heather, humps, hollows, pools and streams punish wayward shots and reward accurate placement. The heathland setting opens up spectacular views over four counties. Because the course follows the existing contours rather than engineered features, expect uneven lies and natural hazards rather than manufactured ones — the challenge is reading the ground and keeping the ball in play.
The West Course: woodland golf
The West Course takes the opposite character: it snakes through the mature, broadleaf woodland of the Ashdown Forest. Trees frame the holes and demand straighter lines, while the woodland setting gives the round a quieter, more enclosed feel than the open heath. Like the Old Course, it is entirely natural — shaped around the land, not built on it.
Choosing between the two
| Dimension | Old Course | West Course |
|---|---|---|
| Terrain | Open heathland | Mature broadleaf woodland |
| Main hazards | Heather, humps, hollows, pools, streams | Trees and woodland margins |
| Signature feature | Views over four counties; Top 100 rating (2025) | Holes winding through the forest |
| Suits players who want | A classic natural heathland test | A tighter, tree-lined round |
If you only have time for one round and want the course the club is best known for, the Old Course is the obvious pick. If you prefer tree-lined corridors and a change from open heath, play the West.
Before you visit
- Check course status. The club posts daily status for each course on its website. On the day the site was captured, both courses were open, with buggies restricted to those with a medical exemption, trolleys allowed, and fairway mats in play. Conditions like these change, so confirm before travelling.
- Book a tee time. The site provides a "Book Tee Time" entry point, alongside a members' login. Booking details and any visitor conditions are handled through that channel.
- Plan practice or tuition. The Pro Shop, Performance Centre and tuition options cover everything from solo putting practice to full instruction from a professional, whether you are learning the basics or refining an existing game.
- Stay informed. The club runs a newsletter you can subscribe to for news and offers.
The club's own framing is the best summary of what to expect: a true test of golf for 130 years, with two classic courses designed by nature.