Cooden Beach isn't cheap, but the course is sheer quality and something of an anachronism which adds interest when savouring not only the golf but the setting.

A day's golf for £32 if you are a green fee, however, is hardly exorbitant when compared to other courses of similar reputation. In these days it represents good value. While the lighter nights last, 18 holes may be squeezed in for £20 and that includes weekends.

Cooden is a members' club with around 600 subscribers who, I daresay, wouldn't wish to play anywhere else. They skirt the shore, separated only by the railway line.

In places the sea is only a few yards away. But, for the uninitiated, this is in no sense a typically dune-dimpled links.

There aren't any for this is reclaimed land from centuries ago. Parts of the course are just about at sea level and, in 1985, the water flooded on to the 13th hole.

Once, where sheep safely grazed, there is this expanse of firm close-knit turf with a peaty sub-soil created out of wetlands recovered from the marsh. There is something remarkably satisfying about taking large divots with sweetly-struck irons on these gorgeous fairways.

In the early 18th century what is now a course of distinction was a lagoon. Indeed there was once enough depth to moor boats within a short distance of Hailsham. Nearby Northeye was a port 700 years ago.

With all due respect to beginners, Cooden is not for you, besides, a handicap certificate is required. Seldom are condtions absolutely tranquil and, at 6,500 yards, there are too many long two-shotters to cope with comfortably in view of the prevailing sou'wester.

Ditches provide perfect drainage so the course stays relatively dry in wet weather. Here is marshland golf calling for all the shots and those enriched by local knowledge have gained their wrinkles only by long experience.

The course bordered by the curve of Pevensey Bay to seaward and the tang of salt on the lips might once have been a motor racing track.

Visitors to Bexhill are often puzzled by the sign that it is the home of British motor racing. The 8th Earl De La Warr, the landowner, at one time had plans for a track to run the seven miles between Cooden and Pevensey. Nothing came of it and, instead, Brooklands was preferred.

Six years later, in 1912, Cooden opened to the accompaniment of fanfares and the visit of the celebrated heroes of the day, Harry Vardon and James Braid. Not many courses can have seen fewer major changes than Cooden over such a long period. The philosphy was, why mess about with something that worked? The golden age came between the wars. Famous amateurs abounded while Fred Robson gained a reputation as one of the most consistent professionals in the country.

Aged 65, he gave the game up and no wonder. After two Open Championships (1892, 1897) and four British Amateur titles, plus the US Amateur, it was only natural to rest on his laurels.

His name fittingly heads the winners of the scratch medal and I urge any visitor to spend time browsing in the lovely old clubhouse. It is a gem and even has an ancient wind gauge giving readings of up to 100 mph on the Beaufort Scale. Wherever you look, in the passages and nooks and crannies, are faded photographs and references to the early years. It could almost be a museum, but not at all musty and stuffy. A few minutes at the bar and Cooden is your friend.

Steeped in golfing history, Cooden's red-letter day was May 27, 1928 when Robson and the great Walter Hagen played a challenge match.

Two days earlier Hagen had beaten Robson at Richmond and he sportingly gave him a chance to win his money back. On his home ground Robson had his revenge, going round in 67 to Hagen's 69, the match finishing on the last green.

The American caused a sensation by arriving by aeroplane on the practice ground. He returned £50 richer while Robson received £30. A gallery of 2,000 watched spellbound and the ladies swooned whenever Hagen, pomaded hair, cuff-linked silk shirt and two-toned shoes, cast his eye in their direction.

Cooden still has an air of a 1920s club. Head greenkeeper Dave Stevens did 40 years in the job before retiring in the early 1990s. Stefan Antolik, his successor and fervent environmentalist, is only the fourth head man in 82 years. It must be 10 years since Jeff Sim became the pro.

There is no hidden agenda about playing Cooden. Length does matter. There are half a dozen holes of between 440 and 470 yards and two of 500 yards or as near as makes no odds. The most difficult hole, according to taste, is the par four 11th which may only be fractionally short of 400 yards. But there aren't too many fours there and it is not stroke index one for nothing.

Of the any number of excellent holes the fourth, which is played to a built-up green, has much to recommend it and the short 12th calls for sound clubbing.

Like any good course, and Cooden is good, there are three testing holes to finish. Nobody has ever torn it to shreds. The record of 67 is five under. Many a visitor would be pleased as punch to take ten more strokes before seeking the comfort of the clubhouse.

Factfile
HOW TO GET THERE: Coming from the west, turn off at first exit from the A259 at Little Common roundabout and the entrance to the course is along Cooden Sea Road.

YARDAGE: 6,500 (whites), par 72; 6,163 (yellows), par 70; 5,651 (ladies), par 73.

HEAD PROFESSIONAL: Jeff Sim.

HEAD GREENKEEPER: Stefan Antolik.

HANDICAP CERTIFICATE: Yes.

COUNTY CARD: Yes.

GREEN FEES: Weekdays £32 unlimited. Juniors: £16. Twilight: £20 after 4pm all week. Weekends £35 unlimited. Juniors, £17.50.

COURSE RECORD: 67 Stewart Ede (amateur).

BUGGY HIRE: £25 a round; £35 a day.

SOCIETIES: Welcome by appointment.

CATERING: Restaurant service and bar snacks.

TEACHING APPOINTMENTS: 01424 843938.