Golfing equipment worth thousands of pounds has been stolen after burglars targeted three courses in Sussex in less than a week.

Thieves struck at Copthorne Golf Club, near Gatwick, during the night of February 6 and, a few hours later, the pro shop at Waterhall Golf Club in Brighton was broken into.

In a similar incident, West Hove Golf Club was raided by what appears to have been an organised burglary.

Although Sussex Police do not believe the three incidents are linked, in each case the alarm was tripped but thieves got away with clubs and equipment before officers could respond.

The first break-in, at Copthorne, took place at about midnight on February 6.

Thieves used a sledgehammer or similar tool to break through the window of a side door to the clubhouse.

They broke into the pro shop in the same fashion and stole between £5,000 and £10,000 worth of clubs and other equipment.

Offenders had smashed through the heavy wooden door of the shop and took irons and other equipment.

In the latest incident at West Hove, the offenders broke through a toughened double-glazed window at about 12.15am on Friday and bent back a reinforced metal grill to gain entry to the shop.

Club professional Darren Cook said: "It looks like these guys knew exactly what they were doing and what they were looking for.

"I would imagine they have been into the shop previously and had a good look round."

The West Hove course has a practice range which the public are allowed to use.

The burglars stole dozens of expensive clubs made by top manufacturers including Titleist, Taylor Made, Calloway and Ping.

Although it is the first time the clubhouse has been broken into in the seven years Mr Cook has been there, he said it is not unusual for courses to be targeted.

He said: "Break-ins at golf clubs can be quite a common occurrence.

"Equipment can be expensive, with some clubs costing up to £350 each and they are very easy to sell on the black market.

"It's funny because they seem to follow the popularity of golf itself.

"When the sport is on the TV and people become interested in it the number of break-ins seems to go up."

Anyone with information is asked to call Sussex Police on 0845 6070999 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.