Seaford, not to be confused with Seaford Head, is considered by many to be the best example of downland golf in the South of England.

That opinion may not be held by admirers say of Worthing or Eastbourne Downs, but members and visitors to East Blatchington have the best of reasons for playing their golf where the panorama, especially from the top holes, is nothing short of inspiring.

The course is unfailingly prepared to the highest standards of the greenkeeper's art and while downland greens take a bit of knowing, the surfaces can never be blamed for any putting lapses.

Golf has been played at Blatchington, which is above the town, since 1907, when the club moved from the Head. The Seaford club was established in 1887 and is the oldest in Sussex, beating by a short head the claims of Royal Eastbourne and Brighton & Hove.

However, steeped in tradition as it is, this members' club does not choke on protocol or wallow in the past. The apoplectic colonels have long gone to that smoking room in the sky.

Seaford is a thoroughly up-to-date establishment with a magnificent 18 holes and a distinguished club house containing a unique feature.

That is the Dormy House where residential packages for up to 22 golfers in 11 twin en-suite rooms greatly add to the natural attractions. From March to November, the Dormy House is almost always full and no wonder.

For between £80 and £90 the guest may enjoy a five-course dinner, bed and full English breakfast and then launch into 36 holes.

A round before dinner and a second 18 holes next morning before checking out is the most popular arrangement.

A conservative estimate of the total number of green fees played at Seaford (counting the ten years at the Head) in the first 100 years is around the one million mark.

When John H. Walsh published his excellent club history in 1986, he came up with the figure adding that, in the eyes of the greenkeeper, it is 50,000,000 divots and 25,000,000 pitch marks.

That is one way of indicating how many people have flocked to Seaford over the years.

When golf was starting to take off in a really big way in the Edwardian era and a move to Blatchington was made, J.H. Taylor was called in to lay out the course to 5,814 yards and a bogey of 81.

Given the equipment of the time it must have been quite a test. Today it is 6,551 yards (par 69) after a succession of changes, but nothing too drastic.

The weather remains the same, the sou'wester still blows as hard as ever and at its keenest makes the last three holes every bit as stiff as in J.H.'s day.

Despite the lofty setting there are no sudden back breaking climbs. Long pulls, but nothing outrageous, although there are seniors who like to use a buggy.

For those with plenty of strength in the legs this is an experience to be enjoyed on foot, to feel the springy turf under the studs and pause now and again to smell the flowers on the way.

By some trick of design and nature you are not made aware of aching limbs or being astride a massive ridge which slopes sharply down on the landward side into the lovely Cradle Valley.

Grassy pits and ravines come in to play, particularly at the sixth, although one depression is well out of range from the tee but traps many a duff second shot.

For the most part the fairways are broad, inviting the full treatment, but beware the par four second where the way forward pinches in and the hole feels longer than the 436 yards on the card.

The eighth, which is slightly longer, is another where par will bring a contented smile to the best player. All the short holes are good, the 12th especially, so as the ball takes some holding on the plateau green unless struck absolutely correctly. Choosing the right landing area is a knack developed by those who know Seaford well.

The 17th is a prime example with an old Sussex cobblestone barn as the line from the tee.

In fast-running conditions the good player will take an iron. By taking the left hand side, the green is opened up but go even a shade right and the way in becomes difficult and too far off line means a search in thick gorse. As the green slopes away from the front, the second shot calls for shrewd distance judging.

There is not a bad hole at Seaford. The introduction is polite, but for some the valley looks intimidating and fading or slicing is not recommended on a semi-dog leg of the drive and pitch variety.

In winter, of course, clubbing is entirely different. One of the many delights about Seaford is the going underfoot.

Always firm thanks to the draining properties of the downs, your shoes stay nice and clean.

As long as I can remember the greens have been kept in immaculate condition.

They may require a deal of local knowledge to read, but that is true of most courses.

GETTING THERE: From the west go through the town and turn left at the stone cross war memorial and follow the road to the end. The golf club is signposted.

YARDAGE: 6,551 yards (whites), par 69; 6,233 (yellows), par 69; 5,579 (ladies), par 73.

PROFESSIONALS: David Mills and Clay Morris.

HEAD GREENKEEPER: Nick Rourke.

HANDICAP CERTIFICATE: No.

GREEN FEES: Weekdays: £27 a round. Weekends: telephone in advance. No concessions for juniors and senior citizens.

COUNTY CARD: £20 SOCIETIES: Welcome by appointment.

CATERING: Full menu and snacks TELEPHONE: 01323 892442 TEACHING APPOINTMENTS: 01323 894160 BUGGY HIRE: £18. Trolleys: £2.

ACCOMMODATION: Dormy House. Rates on application.