131 years ago today, the Old Course staged its first ever ladies’ competition - a five-round matchplay granted “by permission of the Gentlemen.” It welcomed players from the Ladies’ Course (today’s West Course) to test themselves on the Old. A progressive move for the time.

The key to success on the short par-4 15th is the approach. It has to clear the wall of heather and be struck well enough to hold a green that slopes away from you.

Happy #ThankAGreenkeeper Day to Course Manager Dominic Lewis and his team, who setup our two Top 100 courses daily while balancing long-term agronomy and sustainability projects. Their work ensures our courses stay in harmony with their landscape. British & International Golf Greenkeepers Assn.

Few courses match the calm of the Old Course. Firm fairways, purple heather, and distant views make it a special, peaceful walk, secluded in the Ashdown Forest. Play it at its best this month, while the heather’s out: bit.ly/4lq74UA

A sight we never tire of: Cresting the hill on 17 to a sea of heather and pines. There's still a few more weeks to enjoy the view before the purple heather fades. Play it at its best this month: bit.ly/4lq74UA

Thanks JohnnyA for this lovely write up! We look forward to welcoming you back soon!

Letting the Old Course play like a true heathland is central to our ethos, so we rely only on minimal inputs, and water when it’s needed. It’s a key part of keeping the course in tune with its natural landscape.

Few sights rival the 11th, ringed with purple heather and offering views across four counties from the tee, the highest point on the course. Bonus points if you can name all four counties!

Make the most of the Old Course while you can — the heather’s still showing colour, and greens maintenance doesn’t begin until October. Reserve your tee time here: bit.ly/4lq74UA

Elsewhere, the close of summer means the twilight rounds fade and winter golf creeps in. At the Old, the game carries on thanks to the fast-paced 2-ball golf members and visitors enjoy on our heathland.

Members and visitors have enjoyed superb greens throughout summer while the heather’s been in bloom. Now October has arrived, greens work remains a month away, but fairway sanding will get underway to aid recovery from the heatwave and keep surfaces strong.

The 11th 💜

A back-right pin on 15 is as friendly as this short par 4 gets, with the green sloping steeply from front to back. When the sun’s setting though, the scorecard matters less – it’s just a joy to be out on our heathland.

Early morning sights and sounds on the Old Course.

Our clubhouse in 1911, looking almost identical 114 years later - albeit much smaller. It’s grown since then, with a West Course extension and a bigger car park, but the original building still serves as the RAFGC members’ clubhouse.

Sunrise over our clubhouse, home to our convivial membership, the Society of Ashdown Golfers who play the West Course, and a welcoming space for visitors and societies alike.

Who needs bunkers when you’ve got hazards like this?