The Goodwood Downs golf course is set in the rolling hills of the Goodwood estate. The ambiance of the whole place permeates your visit and provides an excellent backdrop from the welcome in the clubhouse to the excellent 'halfway' hut that you meet at the 7th and 15th.
The course itself is a game of two halves. You start with a par-3 among the trees and this theme continues as you cross over the road with narrow tree lined fairways and some very tough holes.
The second requires some local knowledge to lay up short of the ravine before an approach to a raised green. The tee shot at the 3rd needs a shaped shot around the dog leg or some bravery to go over the trees. Get through these 3 holes in par and you are off to a great start. The next 4 holes continue this theme of accurate tee shots to set up an easy approach to the green.
As you emerge from the trees at the 7th on top of the hill, you are greeted with an amazing view down to the English Channel, the Isle of Wight and Portsmouth.Thankfully the fairways get a bit wider and the next 9 holes take on a more modern resort feel, with less trees and trouble from the tee. The par-3s are generally good, especially the short 12th. However some of the holes around the middle are a little bland.
Things perk up down the stretch with a good par-5 at the 16th and a lovely par-3 17th over the water as you head back into the trees near the clubhouse.
Goodwood Downs course is no pushover and off the back tees it will be a real brute, especially in the wind. However if it could maintain the character of the early holes through out then it would be great. That said if you are looking for a quality course, an upmarket clubhouse, a warm welcome and a good value round of golf then Goodwood Downs golf course is hard to beat.