Littlehampton Golf Club

Counties by the sea are often blessed with numerous stunning links courses, so as seaside counties go, it is a little strange that West Sussex has only one links  to its name.  Luckily though, that course is Littlehampton, the oldest and also one of the finest in the county. The 6,226-yard layout offers stereotypical links golf. When the wind is calm the flat par 70 course is inviting, but when it blows it becomes a different animal. Elevated tees go from being picturesque to mind-bogglingly difficult and club selection is always interesting. The 420-yard 1st is a formidable opening hole that can play deceptively long when played into the wind.

The 13th and 14th complete a trio of fine holes. The former needs a good drive down the left of the fairway and a close approach to avoid navigating a difficult green.

Two deep bunkers short of the putting surface demand an accurate approach to a long green, which can prove harder to hit due to the sloping surrounds. The 188-yard 8th is another of Littlehampton's stand-out holes. The longest par 3 on the  course demands a crisply-struck tee shot to a notoriously tricky green on which to hole a putt. The 365-yard 10th borders the sea and is one of the furthest points from the clubhouse.  With out of bounds running along the left-hand side. Find the fairway and avoid the greenside bunker, and this can yield a good birdie opportunity. The course turns for home at the 12th and you are about to be severely tested. A good drive is required to miss the bunker on the right and set up the approach to a long par 4. The 13th and 14th complete a trio of fine holes. The former needs a good drive down the left of the fairway and a close approach to avoid navigating a difficult green. The latter is a 390-yard par 4 and finding the fairway is of enormous benefit here. The positioning of the bunker in the middle of the fairway can cause many to come up short, and if that does not get you, there are two more well placed waiting by the green. Off the course, Littlehampton has a modern clubhouse that overlooks the final holes of play and the pretty River Arun. It is situated between the cities of Brighton and Portsmouth.