Eastney Pitch-and-Putt

You'll find eighteen holes of genuine seaside golf squeezed into Eastney, right near Hayling Island - the sort of place where a bracing wind off the Solent is half the challenge. Pitch-and-putt is a different beast from championship courses; it's quick, it's forgiving, and it actually works if you've got a mixed group of abilities playing together.

The layout is tight and clever. You're not bashing drivers across vast fairways here - instead, you're reading the greens, managing your short game, and occasionally cursing a well-placed bunker that's determined to wreck your scorecard. Eighteen holes takes roughly ninety minutes to two hours, which means it fits neatly into an afternoon without derailing your entire day.

Families with teenagers usually get the most from it. Young kids sometimes struggle with the patience required, but if yours are aged ten plus and can handle a putter without throwing it, they'll probably be fine. It's the sort of activity that doesn't require prior experience - just turn up and have a go.

The location is convenient for a park holiday centred on St Helens Coastal Resort, which sits just six miles away. You could easily slot an hour here between other activities without it feeling like a detour. It's not the sort of place that'll blow your mind on a postcard, but on a decent afternoon it's proper good value. Worth ringing ahead to check current opening times and whether you need to book.