East Sussex National (East)

The East Course is one of two layouts at East Sussex National, one of the best golfing resorts in the south of England.

Both the East and the West were designed by Robert E Cupp at the same time, opening in the early 1990s, and it wasn’t long before the European Tour came calling.

The European Open was held on the East Course twice, and today, it remains a challenge for players of all abilities, and can stretch to as far as 7,100 yards.

Check out our full piece on the East Sussex National Resort here.

Visit the East Sussex National website here.

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The history of East Sussex National dates back to the mid-1980s, with the idea coming from Canadian entrepreneur Brian Turner to create a world-class golfing venue.

Robert E Cupp was the man drafted in to create the two golf courses, having done a lot of work alongside Jack Nicklaus when it comes to golf course design.

The East Course was brought to international attention in 1993, when it hosted the European Open on the DP World Tour. Gordon Brand Jr was the winner, with David Gilford then winning a year later, on its second and last edition at East Sussex National.

The East Course is the championship offering at the East Sussex National, and plays at more than 7,100 yards from the tips. For us mere mortals, the Blues take the course back to 6,750 yards, which is still a long way! Tree-lined fairways, plenty of bunkers and water hazards are all a part of the East Course’s charm. Throw in some undulating putting surfaces, ones where if you get yourself on the wrong side of, then three-putting is almost mandatory, and you’ve got a cracking stadium course.

Water comes into play on the opening hole of East Sussex National’s East Course. There is a stream running across the hole, in front of the green. Only the longest of hitters will reach it, though, some 300 yards from the tee. Most will aim to find the generous fairway before playing across the water to the shallow by wide green. At 495 yards from the Blues, the par 5 2nd is in reach for some of the bigger hitters, as long as the two fairway bunkers down the left side are avoided. A three-tiered green is as much of a danger as the two greenside bunkers, especially if you’re having to putt down a level.

The 3rd has a wide fairway, and although there is out of bounds down the right side of the hole, it should be far enough out that it does not come into play. Seven bunkers in and around the green, along with a green that has three distinct sections, make the approach difficult. The 4th is the first of the par 3s on the East Course at ESN, though it isn’t that short. From the Blues, it is still 200 yards. However, there are no bunkers, and it is a massive target to aim for. The green is 40 yards long. The 5th is a difficult prospect, some 440 yards and with both water and out of bounds running all the way down the right side. The water hazard then moves its way in front of the green and away to the left, while there are four bunkers by the putting surface. At just 311 yards, the 6th is one of the easiest holes on the layout. It has a wide fairway, and if you can avoid the three small fairway bunkers down the left side, this is a good birdie chance.

The 7th is the longest hole on the course. This par 5 comes in at 585 yards from the Blues and has a double dog-leg for players to work their way through, first left to right and then right to left as you get down to the green. The putting surface is only 16 yards deep, making it one of the more difficult approaches on the property. The longest hole is followed by the shortest. 8 is only 134 yards but club selection is crucial as the green is extremely hard to hold. The front nine comes to a close with another tough par 4. More than 440 yards in length, and with a narrow fairway, accuracy is at a premium down 9. Three bunkers guard the green, while there is water away to the right.

The back nine begins with a gentle par 5 at just 490 yards. There are no bunkers, and although the fairway is narrow, this will be a three-shotter anyway due to the water hazard running in front of the green. You will want to be attacking this green with a wedge or low iron at most. There are nine bunkers to avoid off the tee on the 11th, with seven of those in a cluster on the left side of the fairway. If you can clear them, then the fairway is much wider, but the green is almost 40 yards long, so make sure to work out the flag before taking a club out of your bag. There is water on either side of the 12th but unless you really go awry, you shouldn’t be finding it.

The 13th is the first par 3 on the back nine, and again it is a large target to find. The green is split into two tiers, front and back, so make sure to check the flag position as it could be a two-club difference. 14 is a cracking par 5, and although it is 520 yards, some might fancy their chances. Most will just look to avoid the eight bunkers in the landing zone off the tee, and then the singular trap in the centre of the fairway, right in the laying up area. Due to the undulations, there are three distinct sections to the putting surface, which is less than 20 yards deep. The tee shot on 15 is played over water, with a 200-yard carry required from the Blues. The fairway is narrow, and the green is guarded by three bunkers.

The final par 3 on the course – the 16th hole – is played over water. Two bunkers behind the green are a natural spot for golf balls to find as players take an extra club to ensure they don’t go in the water. The East Course ends with two 450-yard par 4s, with the penultimate hole on the course featuring a water hazard between the fairway and green. 18 has nine bunkers including three to the left of the green to make it a tough finisher. It is a three-tiered green, much like on the 18th on the Brabazon Course of The Belfry, and it is another where distance control is vital.

Where is East Sussex National located?

East Sussex National is where it says it is. It’s in East Sussex! It is just outside the village of Little Horsted, and only 20 miles from Eastbourne and the south coast of England. By road, the city centre of London is around 50 miles to the north. The A22 and the A26 run close by the venue.

Uckfield is the closest train station to East Sussex National, and it is the final stop on the Southern line from London Bridge. Trains run every hour in both directions, with a travel time of around 75 minutes to get to London Bridge. The station is just a couple of miles from the resort. London Gatwick is easily the closest major international airport to East Sussex National, sitting just 25 miles to the northwest of the resort. Gatwick is the second busiest airport in the country behind London Heathrow, which is 60 miles from the resort to the northwest.

Are there any NCG Top 100s: England venues nearby?

The East Course at East Sussex National is next to several golf courses on the NCG Top 100s: England list in that portion of the country, south of London. The West Course at the same resort is one of those. Piltdown is just a few miles to the north of ESN, while the likes of Royal Ashdown Forest’s Old, Chart Hills, Rye, West Sussex and Tandridge are all within an hour from the venue.

What golf facilities does East Sussex National offer?

Not only does East Sussex National have two wonderful golf courses that exceed 7,000 yards, but the Golf Academy at the resort is the perfect place for guests and members alike to practice their skills. The Academy is home to its own 3-hole practice course, with one par 3, one par 4 and one par 5. There is also a driving range and short game area to complete the practice facilities at East Sussex National. Plans to develop and upgrade the practice facilities at the resort are in place.

What are the green fees at East Sussex National?

The price of a green fee at East Sussex National changes throughout the year, depending on the season. It is also different depending on whether it is a weekday or weekend.

For more information on current green fees at East Sussex National visit their website here.