1st Hole - Southdowns

406 yards -  Par 4  -  S.I. 9

The 1st Hole at Crowborough is a “once played, never forgotten” experience. Bernard Darwin said in 1926 “The first thing that will strike the golfer who comes fresh to Crowborough is the view - I do not suppose there is a wider or more beautiful one in all England”.

Much is made of the difficulty of the course, the length of the carries and the punishing depth of the rough and whilst often this can be exaggerated, the carry and penal rough at this opening hole can often sow the seeds of doubt after a poor opening tee shot.

The 1st tee shot offers a spectacular, slightly intimidating opening to the round with the promise of plenty of dramatic views and elevated tees to come.

The immediate challenge is the 196 yard carry from the white championship tee which can be too demanding for the shorter hitter or faint-hearted golfer. The carry from the yellow and red tees is less severe although the penalty for a topped shot remains. But, on a dry summers day, the ball will bound down the hill toward a pleasant approach, which declines steeply onto the sloping early part of the green.