Tandridge Golf Club: Course Review, Tee Times and Key Info

Tandridge Golf Club Key Information

Harry Colt is considered by some as the greatest golf course architect of all time. He has a larger design presence in our Top 100 Golf Courses UK & Ireland than anyone, and his work has an enduring influence and legacy at some of the top courses in the world, including Muirfield, Royal County Down, and the American course often cited as the best of all, Pine Valley.

Beneficiary of a long-term and comprehensive upgrade to restore and enhance its own Harry Colt heritage, Tandridge offers a game of two halves, with the flatter and strategic front nine leading to a rollercoaster and scenic ride home.

He designed the course at Tandridge, which opened for play in 1924, and several years ago the club embarked on an ambitious scheme with Colt expert, Frank Pont, to restore the same principles and approach but in the context of today’s golfing world.

In more recent years, in-demand architect, Tim Lobb, has taken up the reins to further refine the layout, and the feedback from members and visitors alike has been overwhelmingly positive.

The 1st hole changed from a long par 4 to a par 5 a number of years ago to make for a slightly gentler start, but it plays into the prevailing wind so par is still no pushover. But its increase in par is good news, for the holes that follow are among the toughest on the course, so a three-shotter to get you up and away is no bad thing.

It is followed by a superb, arcing, long par 4 that sweeps to the right, where the drive must not cut off too much of the corner. Even if you reach the green in regulation, it is double-tiered so par is never guaranteed. The 3rd climbs gently to the right and the green on the short 4th is an oasis in a desert of sand.

The more undulating back nine is a real contrast, beginning with another long par 4, which is one of the hardest holes on the course. Heather makes its presence felt here to give the otherwise parkland layout just a hint of its Surrey heathland neighbours at Walton Heath and elsewhere.

The 11th and 12th rise slowly to the highest point, before the closing six holes offer a thrilling rollercoaster ride home. The 13th is one of the toughest par 3s you will encounter at 223 yards from the tips. Most golfers are happy to walk away with a four here, let alone a three.

Colt's original signature hole follows, played from a new back tee which towers above the fairway. This is a maximum-distance par 4 with a ditch that crosses the fairway in the valley waiting to swallow up any mishit approach shots.

The short but teasing dogleg 16th can ruin a card, before 17 offers up another exciting drive from a high tee before an approach that tends to play one or two clubs more than its yardage to a green blessed with some severe slopes.

The relocated tee complex in the trees at the top of the hill on the closing hole has improved the finish beyond recognition. It is now a cracking hole with everything visible from the tee. A word of warning, though - don’t go right!

What The Top 100 Panel Said

Russ Groombridge

Tandridge is an absolute gem. This was the first time that I’ve played it and I have to say that it exceeded my expectations in leaps and bounds. I played a lot of parkland courses around Surrey, Sussex and Kent growing up, but never at Tandridge. The front nine feels quite like other decent parkland courses in those counties but the course really comes to life on the back nine, which has a very different feel because of the undulations and the wow factor with the views and tee shots.

Sheila Diamond

I found this to be a typical Harry Colt course with plateau greens protected by many steep-faced bunkers. The front nine is gentle and undulating but the back nine is quite different, with more dramatic changes in elevation. Quite recently, with the removal of many trees, wonderful views have been opened up that had been lost because of excessive woodland growth. The spectacular 12th green has views of the South Downs that must be incomparable in the south of England. I can't wait to go back next summer and play again, especially that back nine.

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Best Courses Near Tandridge

WALTON HEATH (OLD)
One of the great English heathland courses, the Old was opened in 1904 with a match between the great triumvirate of Taylor, Vardon and Braid. Braid was already the club’s professional and continued to hold that position up to his death in 1950. Designed by Herbert Fowler, it’s a sandy and firm track protected by heather, an eclectic selection of trees and the notorious, swirling winds.

THE ADDINGTON
The Addington, another heathland layout, offers great views of London on a clear day and is famous for its wooden bridges that cross the natural undulations in the land. Golf writer Henry Longhurst once said of the par-3 13th: “With the exception of the 5th at Pine Valley, it's the greatest one-shot hole in inland golf." The course is currently undergoing a major restoration and renovation.

Best Places To Stay Near Tandridge

Hurst Farm B&B, Crockham Hill - Book now at Booking.com
This superb B&B is located in Crockham Hill, six miles from the golf club. It offers excellent accommodation with the added perk of an outdoor pool, tennis court and shared lounge. Continental and full English/Irish breakfast options are available daily at Hurst Farm.

Kings Arms Hotel, Westerham - Book now at Booking.com
The Kings Arms Hotel lies right in the centre of the old English town of Westerham, five minutes from the M25 and five miles from Tandridge Golf Club. This elegant-looking hotel has rooms featuring modern facilities, including TVs, hair dryers, individual private bathrooms and free Wi-Fi.

Tandridge Gallery

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TANDRIDGE HISTORICAL TOP 100 RANKING UK&I

• 2023/24 - 97
• 2021/22 - Next 100
• 2019/20 - 99
• 2017/18 - 99

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