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Welcome to UK-GolfGuide's page which contains feedback from site users who have played at Mannings Heath Golf Club.

Whilst UK-GolfGuide.com attempts to turf out the more unhelpful or just plain daft contributions, some may slip through. If you have played the course or hold a different opinion to those of the contributors, feel free to use the Add your Comments icon to provide a broader spread of views. If you have a gripe with the club then take it up with them directly - please don't use this facility for airing grievances!.

If you have played this course and would like to add your comments then feel free to Add a Report.

Peter Frost (England) 03/03/08

Having played the impressive Waterfall a couple of times a few years ago I thought I'd give the Kingfisher a go. You can see where all the investment at Mannings Heath goes as the green staff were working furiously on the Waterfall (it was closed) and the Kingfisher was in generally poor condition. The bunkers had little sand in them and most did not have rakes. The fairways and greens were patchy which could be understandable during early March, but the design of the course was uninspiring. A couple of good holes and that is it. The nadir is two virtually identical dull as ditchwater par 3's (12th and 16th) which are along side each other,pointing the same way. Overall, not worth the green fee.

Ratings

Value for Money	2
Challenge	3
Off Course	7

Bob . (England) 18/04/07

Some stunning holes but some very boring ones, overhyped in my opinion. Greens that a municipal course would be ashamed of never mind a course in this price bracket. Shame as I was expecting big things from the Waterfall course but I left very underwhelmed.

Ratings

Value for Money	4
Challenge	7
Off Course	7

Rob A (England) 12/03/07

played the Waterfall course again on the 11/3/07 and although some very lovely holes. I was very dissapointed with the condition of the greens, they really lacked tlc. The fairways couldn't be differenciated from the rough. I haven't had a ball plug on a green on so many different occasions.

Great course spoilt by winter conditions and poor ground staff.

Ratings

Value for Money	7
Challenge	7
Off Course	9

Rob A (England) 20/02/07

Played the WATERFALL course on the 18/2/07 and all i can say is WOW!!! Although the condition of some of the greens wern't great and the 13th (par 5) and 14th (par 3) were temp greens, i could still see why this course is absolutely up there with the best of them. There are so many different, unique and memorable holes. With some courses the holes tend to seem very similar. This course has a lot of water, hills, high greens, low greens and the view of the club house over the last few holes is absolutly stunning.

Patrica the receptionist was lovely, guiding us to the course via the mobile. The atmosphere is great.

Definately want to play this many more times, especially in the summer.

A must play...

Ratings

Value for Money	10
Challenge	9
Off Course	10

'Young P' (England) 15/04/06

Kingfisher Course

This course plays second fiddle to the Waterfall and, after a round here, it's not too difficult to see why.

The Kingfisher has some good holes but also a few that are slightly less edifying. Most of the course is based in an area of open parkland that is typical of so many newer courses, except holes 4-8 and 10-11, which are located in a more enclosed and attractive part of the property.

The best hole on the course is the 398-yard par 4 SI 1 8th, where a blind uphill drive is followed by a demanding uphill approach over a stream (which can be also reached by long hitters off the tee so beware!)

I also liked the short 336-yard par 4 4th, with the backdrop of fir trees and which challenges you to take on a large bunker from the tee. The drop hole par 3 straight after it also requires accurate judgement.

Back out on the more exposed part of the course, there are a couple of taxing par 4s, notably 13 (438 yards) and 14 (398 yards), which has an uphill drive and a second that plays longer than you think. However, the par 3s at 12 and 16 are memorably anonymous (sic).

If you're at Mannings Heath for the day, play this to loosen up in the morning before tackling the Waterfall in the afternoon.

5/10

'Young P'

Ratings

Value for Money	3
Challenge	5
Off Course	9

Grahame Webb (England) 27/02/06

Played the Waterfall over the Christmas 05/06 period and have to say it lives up to the promises of earlier reviewers. Good condition even at this time of year, interesting tee positions particularly. 1st is a hole you don't forget in a hurry and standing on the 18th is rewarding view after the events of the previous 17!

Definitely a plot your way around - good scenary, and not too many samey holes. Couple of parallel but each hole is different in it's own way. some really well placed obstacles, ditches in particular are well placed.

Club house looks swish, but not poncy inside and good atmosphere and great food.

All in all a good test and enjoyable walk. Get yourself down there. Shame non-members can't turn up at weekends!

Ratings

Value for Money	8
Challenge	7
Off Course	9

'Young P' (England) 22/01/06

With three of the first four holes called 'Sodom', 'Gomorrah' and 'Hellcorner', you could be forgiven for thinking that you're going to meet your doom on this course before you even reach the turn.

Far from it – in fact, the Waterfall makes for a very enjoyable round. And the opening two holes aren't nearly intimidating as their names suggest (you can also ignore the guff on their website about the opening tee shot being "daunting", "leave the woods in the bag" etc.)

Whilst there are a couple of fairly forgettable holes (12, 15 and 17 are all a bit uninspiring), overall this is a highly interesting and strategic layout. In particular, it will test your distance judgement on approaches, with a number of greens being raised, some severely so. The undulating nature of the landscape means there are also a number of drives over small valleys that can require some longish carries, depending on which tees you're off.

It's interesting that both Gary Player and Henry Longhurst have included the tight par 4 11th hole ('Valley') in their imaginary top 18 holes of golf in the world. Personally, I think the best hole on the course is the par 4 6th ('Warren'), which is more strategic. I don't doubt the 11th looks spectacular when the leaves are on the trees, though.

Other excellent holes are the aforementioned 'Hellcorner' (par 4 4th), which plays longer than it's 383 yards suggests and has a semi-blind approach; the excellent par 3 5th ('Punchbowl') which is the best of the par 3s and a tight target surrounded by trouble of various kinds (OOB / water / near-vertical bank); and the 18th, which demands a stiff second shot to another raised green.

The downland fairways are firm and well draining, which meant we found it played well for the middle of winter – I'm already looking forward to coming back in the spring.

7.75/10

'Young P'

Ratings

Value for Money	8
Challenge	7
Off Course	9

Rob Sims (England) 05/01/06

The Waterfall is a very good test of golf and certainly is on of the top courses in sussex. Some of the holes around the turn are very pretty with water coming into play especially on the drive on 11. All in all a must play for anybody who likes that heathland style tradional course.

Ratings

Value for Money	8
Challenge	7
Off Course	7

Liam Reese (England) 30/08/05

No one's review is wrong. the Waterfall course is a total joy, fairways like velvet and a course you really have to think your way around, no easy flat shots here. Get down there ASAP.

Ratings

Value for Money	6
Challenge	9
Off Course	10

David Mackay (UK) 23/01/03

The staff were so kind and helpful from the first phone call and throughout the event. We were only 12 on this occasion but all of them loved the day and want to do it all again! I think they believe I have nothing else to do than organise fun for them! But hey, I won nearest the pin.. I've never done that before in my life. Maybe this playing once every 4 months is beginning to work!

The course was wet understandably, but still a treat. The food was great as ever and the staff could not be faulted. I hope we will be welcome back and do it all again in the not too distant future.

David

Ben Moore (UK) 16/12/02

Well what can I say! I played here two years ago in a Society and was very impressed even in December. I returned to play here in September and it had improved if that had been possible beyond any expectations! The course was in the most incredible condition ( like a championship course ) and the clubhouse have recently had an AA Rosette award, which to my wife and our delight made for the most exquisite meal. I have played courses like Wentworth and Sunningdale and paid heavily for it, but this gem is truly up there with the best and does not have the cliquiness and price tag of these other sell out golf clubs. I look forward to playing there again already! What a delight.

Alpesh Patel (England) 10/07/01

Teh Waterfall course is one of my top five courses in the country an absolute belter. This in my opinion how god made courses to be. Played it many a time in summer and winter, and it never fails to disappoint. The course is tough and yes there is a lot of hard walking, especially the 14th and 18th but no pain no gain. The signature 10th hole The Waterfall is a gem of a par three, usually an eight or nine iron. The course is always in good condition and the staff very welcoming. The clubhouse aint half bad either, a welcome sight as you make your way up the 18th hole. After a round make use of the changing facilities since you wont find any better in the land, lovely hot power showers to ease those tired limbs and ....wait for it heated floor tiles. What more can ask so go play it and enjoy.

Brian Huddart () 29/08/00

I am surprised at the reviews here. I am a fit, 45 year old, 9 handicapper and I played the course on 25/8/2000. I found the course seriously difficult, frankly. There were a large number of blind shots, severely sloping fairways and greens. Many apparently good shots ended up in the wrong place because I did not know exactly where I was going. I'm sure repeat playing would improve this but I would suggest first-time high handicappers would really struggle with this layout.

Geoff () 17/08/00

The Waterfall is an absolute must for all lovers of quality golf courses.In my opinion this is as good as it gets in the south of England.

Visit when you game is in order to fully appreciate this gem.

Tony () 26/05/00

The Waterfall course is a course you can fall in love with, and I have! Many drives over ravines on the par 4s. Exceptional par 3s, including the famous punchbowl and waterfall. Then there's the par 4 11th, where the fairway narrows virtually to nothingness at around 250 yards, with a stream on the left and a steep rough bank on the right - I imagine Tiger would take a 7 iron off the tee! And if that isn't enough, the clubhouse is something else! Has to be the most impressive in the country. Mannings Heath is supposed to be a hidden gem, so I shouldn't be saying all this .... Oh I forgot to mention the other course - nice course, and good as a 36 hole combination with the Waterfall course.

Kite () 14/02/00

The waterfall course is the best course I have played so far

There is always a difficult hole or two on every course that makes a golfer plan his shots. well this course has all 18 of them and on a lot of holes the driver has to stay in the bag!

Every hole has a feature and level of difficulty that makes a keen golfer really think before playing a shot.

The enjoyment of playing to ones handicap is thoroughly tested on this course and the pleasure derived from this is immense.

I certainly plan on playing this course again and again and ....

Jeremy () 17/01/00

I played the Kingfisher (newer) course on 15 January 2000. Despite the persistent rain that had fallen over Southern England over the previous few weeks, the greens were in quite good condition, although it was clear that they had been cored a few weeks before. Almost all the holes were using temporary tees, many of which were far from level which detracted from the experience. Also there were quite a lot of very sticky muddy patches on the course which was unusual given that the terrain undulates a lot. Perhaps some drainage work is required. I suspect that once the many young trees that have been planted have matured and the fairways have become fully established with a clearer definition between fairway and rough, the course will be a good challenge. Even now, if the proper tees were in play, it would be very good fun The clubhouse facilities were very good - I recommend the full breakfast to set up before a round of winter golf.

frank () 03/11/99

the original 18 holer is one of the best.The par3 Punchbowl is as good a par3 as you could wish to play.This course throws things at you from Soddom to Gommorah.Wet in the winter!