Quick answer. Brighton's downland courses are on chalk, which drains, so Dyke, East Brighton, Brighton & Hove and West Hove all say they stay playable through winter, and golfers back that up. Dyke only allows medical buggies from October or November to March. Expect mats or preferred lies at some clubs after rain. Checked 31 October 2026.
It's January, you've booked a round, and it's been raining for nine days. You drive out, the course is shut, and you spend the afternoon at the clubhouse eating a bacon roll you didn't plan on. Chalk is the answer to most of that. Here is which courses say they stay open, what golfers have written about winter, and what to do when none of them will.
In the city
Dyke. The club says natural drainage keeps the course playable all year. From October or November to March, only medical buggies run. In October 2025 Steve Stockham played in "biblical rain" and said the course "stood up very well". A 2010 forum post, old but consistent, says it "drains well in the winter".
East Brighton. Chalk drainage, playable year round, temporary greens rarely used, according to the club. Marek L (Golfshake, January 2026) wrote "this course drains so well and is always open", and a GolfPass reviewer in October 2022 said it "drains remarkably well". The winter downside is the weekend crowd: reviewers complain of slow rounds.
Brighton & Hove Golf Club. The club says it's open through the winter on chalk soil. It publishes separate winter course ratings: men's white and black tees play to a rating of 68.9 and slope 123, against 69.4 and 125 in summer. Twilight prices are published for summer only, so ask what a winter twilight round costs.
West Hove. Chalk downland, which the club says is almost always playable. Chris M (Golfshake, November 2023) called it "A winter must-play", and Marek L in February 2024 found the "Greens very quick for this time of year. A bit bumpy as well." Its home page shows live course status, with preferred lies and buggies in the semi-rough on some days.
Hollingbury. The club doesn't publish winter rules. Two Golfshake reviewers (November 2023 and February 2024) say it drains well, one calling it a "Very good draining course for winter play". Others have been less kind about the greens at various points, so look at the current state before booking.
Nearby, where winter is mixed
- Seaford Golf Club: chalk, free draining, and three reviewers (2024 and 2025) say it stayed playable "when all other courses were closed". Winter visitor rates have been in force since 27 October 2026.
- Lewes: the club says fairways, tees and main greens are firm almost 365 days a year.
- Mid Sussex: no temporary tees or greens, a partly covered range, and four reviewers (2024 to 2026) praise the drainage.
- Hill Barn: chalk base, and three reviewers speak well of winter and early-spring conditions.
- Haywards Heath: mats were mandatory on the course on 31 October 2026. Reviews of winter conditions vary.
- Pyecombe: mostly good winter reports ("fantastic condition for winter golf", March 2025), but also "a lot of MAts for tees". The 5th hole was closed for bunker work on 31 October 2026.
- Singing Hills: preferred lies were in force and no buggies on 31 October 2026. Reviewers are split on drainage, with one noting standing water in bunkers.
- Seaford Head: open 364 days a year, but one February 2026 reviewer found the greens "very soft and long".
What changes in winter
Rates can drop. Haywards Heath has winter rates from 1 November (£40 weekday), Mid Sussex has a winter card from the same date, and Seaford moved to winter rates on 27 October. Start times shift too, since twilight often begins earlier. Buggies get restricted (Dyke, Peacehaven and Singing Hills all limit them in winter), so pack for a walk.
When the course is shut
Use the indoor options. VGolf at Brighton Marina has Golfzon sims at £10 per person per hour. East Brighton has a bookable indoor swing studio, and the Dyke studio offers lessons and fittings, with a winter package of six 30-minute lessons for £175. Other sims are in Burgess Hill and Worthing, covered in our driving range guide.
Before you drive
Look at the club's live course status on the day. Dyke and West Hove both put it on their home pages, and it saves you a wasted drive.