Royal Ashdown Forest (Old)

Dating back to 1888, the Old Course at Royal Ashdown Forest is certainly one of the most historic venues on the NCG Top 100s: England list.  

Jack Rowe, who was the Head Professional at the club for more than 50 years, had more than a hand in improving the Old Course – which was originally designed by William R. Lee. 

Alongside the West Course, Royal Ashdown Forest is another stunning 36-hole complex that sits south of London.

Visit the Royal Ashdown Forest website here.

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Originally known as the Ashdown Forest and Tunbridge Wells Golf Club, the club was founded in 1888. The original layout was designed by William R. Lee. 

Over the course of the next decade, Harry Hunter and Jack Rowe – the latter being the club’s professional for more than half a century – made changes to the golf course. Rowe would again make improvements to the Old Course in the 1920s. 

It was only five years after being founded that the golf club was given ‘Royal’ status. 1893 saw the venue renamed Royal Ashdown Forest. 

A round at Royal Ashdown Forest Old is like taking a trip back in time. A time when courses were uncovered rather than created, and when the game was more about skill than power. Yet despite the fact there is not a single artificial feature to be found – including bunkers – and even though, by modern terms, the yardage of under 6,500 is modest, you will need more than a 460-cc driver to tame this classic old course. 

The opening and closing holes cross over, so make sure you know which way you’re aiming with your first tee shot of the day on the Old Course! The Old kicks off with four par 4s, all of which are less than 400 yards in length. The approach to the 2nd must make the green, and not be ran up, as there is a sleepered stream in front of the putting surface. The 3rd is a dog-leg left, and at just 330 yards from the tips, it is a birdie chance. The same can be said of the 4th, with the only difference being that it turns slightly to the right. 

You then get to the tempting 5th hole, the first par 5 on Royal Ashdown Forest’s Old Course. It is a downhill par five reachable in two, but a stream runs in front of the green so that a potential four can swiftly turn into a six or worse. The 6th is the shortest hole on the course, at just 125 yards. Its slim, raised green is framed on three sides by a stream, making the shortest hole one of the more difficult. 7 plays with a sharp dog-leg to the right, and it is the hardest hole on the Old – the Stroke Index 1.   

The 8th fairway is split in two by a thin strip of heather halfway down this par 5, and it is another where only those who find the fairway can have any thoughts of trying to reach the green in two. The hillocks to the left of the green are somewhat reminiscent of the 8th at Augusta National. The final hole on the front nine might only by 145 yards, but from the sheltered tee, guessing the wind direction is the key. The back side of Royal Ashdown’s Old Course begins with a par 5, as the course begins to bite back. It may be less than 500 yards, but many a high score has been racked up on the 10th.  

11 is easily the longest par 3 on the property, playing at a full 249 yards. A par will certainly feel like a birdie, considering most will be having to hit 3-wood, or even driver. By then the course has climbed onto elevated, more open ground, such as that found at the likes of Notts Golf Club (Hollinwell) and Moortown. From here the eponymous forest that is forever linked with AA Milne’s Winnie the Pooh stories can be seen from on high. Most would agree the long 12th hole that returns from here back into more sheltered ground is Ashdown’s highlight. Downhill throughout, shaping from right to left and gradually narrowing, it is tempting to attack but the encroaching heather and trees make this a dangerous policy, especially when it measures more than 560 yards from the tips. 

From a mediocre drive, the 13th can have you reaching for your scorecard to check it really does measure only 370 yards. Playing severely uphill, it feels like it is much more than 400 in reality, and it is the beginning of a memorable closing stretch on the Old Course. There are only two par fours over 400 yards and they arrive in quick succession at the end. Before them comes a tempting hole of little more than 300 yards. Technically drivable it may be, the hidden green is resistant to 80-yard pitches, let alone full-blooded drives and should be treated with respect. 

The 16th measures 407 yards but plays uphill and therefore longer while the 17th may be almost 70 yards longer but at least offers an elevated tee. The closing hole on the Old Course provides one final birdie opportunity. Crossing back over with the 1st, the Old’s 18th is only 350 yards, and has a wide double-width fairway thanks to that crossover. Find that, and you should only have a wedge in hand for your final approach of the day. 

Craig Redston: Lovely natural course with massive elevation and unique holes

Greg Webber: A charming, bunkerless course whose undulation gives rise to stunning scenery in places. The slopes on the greens make being on the right side of the hole important

Read more about our panellists here.

Where is Royal Ashdown Forest located?  

Royal Ashdown Forest is located in the county of East Sussex, south of London and halfway between Crawley and Royal Tunbridge Wells. The A22, which runs from Purley to Eastbourne on the south coast of England, runs along the western side of the golf club. Ashdown Forest, from which the golf club is named, sits just to the south of the venue. The centre of London is just 35 miles to the north. 

East Grinstead Station is five miles from Royal Ashdown north up the A22, with trains running from Purley to Oxted every half hour. For international visitors, London Gatwick is the easiest and closest airport to Royal Ashdown Forest, with Gatwick just a half hour drive to the west of the venue. London Heathrow is just over an hour away, on the western side of the M25, while London City Airport is within 90 minutes as well.  

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

South of London is a hotbed for high-quality golf, and there are a large number of venues on the NCG Top 100s: England list in that region. Piltdown and Tandridge are within half an hour, while the likes of Walton Heath (Old & New) and Chart Hills are also within an hour. 

What golf facilities does Royal Ashdown Forest offer?  

Along with the Old Course, Royal Ashdown Forest is also home to the West Course – which used to be the Ladies’ Course, at the Ashdown Forest and Tunbridge Wells Ladies’ Golf Club. There is also a practice area and a Performance Centre, for those looking to have a quick lesson before they take to either of the two courses.  

What are the green fees at Royal Ashdown Forest?  

The price of a green fee at Royal Ashdown Forest (Old) 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 Royal Ashdown Forest visit their website here.