Rowlands Castle Golf Course

Rowlands Castle Golf Course sits just inland from Emsworth, a proper Sussex Downs setup that rewards decent ball-strikers without humiliating complete beginners. It's a parkland course, fairly open in places, with enough trees to keep things interesting if your aim's off.

The fairways roll gently across what feels like genuinely peaceful countryside - you won't find yourself queuing behind slow foursomes every ten minutes here. Eighteen holes, and it plays to a reasonable length without being a slog. If you're a golfer staying at one of the nearby glamping or caravan sites like Concierge Camping or Glamping at Wallops Wood, you could easily knock this into your week. It's the kind of course that doesn't demand a handicap card to enjoy, though members will absolutely have the advantage during peak times.

Worth noting: this isn't a links course or a championship beast. It's honest golf in decent condition, the sort of place locals come back to repeatedly rather than tourists seeking bragging rights. The real draw is proximity - if you're touring around Hampshire and West Sussex with a set of clubs in the car, you won't do better than a straightforward round here.

Contact ahead about green fees and booking slots, especially weekends. Allow three to four hours for a round depending on pace of play.