There are special pockets of prime golfing land dotted around the British Isles, with Piltdown Golf Club in one of those in Sussex.
The region may be one of the lesser known, but it is one of the most delightful. Along with Piltdown, there is also Royal Ashdown Forest and Crowborough Beacon.
Cutting through this uneven, elevated, heather-clad landscape are firm, sandy fairways and, in the case of Piltdown, a shade over 6,000 yards of unadorned, bunkerless pleasure.
Yes, this 18-hole course has no bunkers, but its narrow fairways, small greens and abundant heather, gorse and gullies provide a tempting challenge for the bold, strategic player.
History
Piltdown was skilfully carved out of ancient Sussex heathland in 1904. The club’s origins started with a German aristocrat, Count Alexander Munster, who wanted a course to rival Royal Ashdown Forest so he could tempt his visiting golfing friends and relatives to stay and play locally rather than heading to the seaside links.
Less designed than uncovered, the Royal Ashdown club professional Jack Rowe was responsible for turning this land into a golf course.
JH Taylor, a five-time winner of the Open Championship, was responsible for improving, if not re-designing, the seven holes on what is now the near side of Shortbridge Road.
Piltdown became world famous when in 1912 amateur archaeologist Charles Dawson claimed to have found a 500,000-year-old skull, which proved the missing link between ape and man. Forty years later, it was established that the skull was an ingenious combination of a human cranium and an ape’s jaw.
Piltdown has featured in numerous books over the years, most notably in Frank Pennink’s ‘Choice of Golf Courses’ and the author commented that the course was “… one of the most charming clubs in the writer’s experience, with a natural, bunkerless course”.
What makes Piltdown Golf Club special?
Piltdown is a charming club with a clubhouse to match.
The listed building dates from the late 18th century and has not lost its simple style or atmosphere despite modernisation. As a visitor recently said, it remains “a sort of country inn with golf course attached”.
Piltdown is simply delightful from the moment you arrive – a course that will charm and confound in equal measure.
Where does it rank?
66th in England, 4th in Sussex, 17th in England Value
Where is Piltdown Golf Club?
Piltdown Golf Club is located in the south of England, around 40 miles south of the centre of the capital city, London. The course sits to the east of the village of Piltdown, and just a couple of miles from the town of Uckfield. It sits off the A272, with the junction of the A22 and A26 just a couple of miles away from the entrance to the club. For international visitors, London Gatwick is just 20 miles to the north of Piltdown, while London Heathrow – the country’s biggest and busiest airport – is 60 miles away to the northwest, on the western side of the M25.
Get in touch with Piltdown Golf Club
For more information about the club and course, visit Piltdown’s website or call them on 01825 722033.
You can play at Piltdown on the NCG Top 100s Tour in the 2026 season!
- Book your spot to play at Piltdown on the NCG Top 100s Tour on July 13th, 2026 here.
- You can also play at West Sussex and Crowborough Beacon in our Sussex Swing – check that out here.
Now have your say
Have you ever had the pleasure of playing at Piltdown Golf Club? Let us know your thoughts with a post on X, formerly Twitter!
