Cowdray Park Golf Club

The rolling Sussex downs are where Cowdray Park Golf Club does its thing - a proper championship layout that doesn't announce itself with fanfare but commands respect the moment you arrive. Set near Petworth, this is the kind of course that rewards decent technique and punishes wild shots in equal measure.

You're looking at eighteen holes threading through woodland and open parkland, with enough elevation change to keep your legs working as hard as your swing. The signature holes are genuinely testing without feeling unfair - water comes into play on a handful of them, and the greens demand accuracy rather than just distance. It's the sort of course seasoned golfers talk about fondly weeks later, while high-handicappers might find it humbling.

This is strictly for golfers with some game, not a beginners' paradise. Expect to spend a full day here between rounds and the clubhouse, which functions properly without unnecessary flash. Access is members and their guests primarily, though public play may be possible depending on current policy - worth ringing ahead to check.

If you're basing yourselves at Graffham Camping and Caravanning Club Site just three miles away, or Woodfire at Westerlands nearby, Cowdray gives you a genuine test without having to trek far from the South Downs. The countryside around here rewards exploration beyond the fairways too - Petworth House and its estate are close enough for a non-golf day out. Book in advance if you're keen; good courses don't stay quiet.