Tandridge Golf Club Feature Review

Review by Golfshake Ambassador Matt Holbrook, September 2019

When you think of golf in Surrey, you would naturally be drawn to courses such as Walton Heath, St George's Hill, maybe The Wisley. Whilst all these courses might feature amongst the higher ranked in the county on Golfshake, there is another name that may not be as familiar but sits equally as highly as the aforementioned - and that is Tandridge Golf Club.

Tandridge is the work of renowned golf architect Harry Colt and it was back in 1924 that he expertly combined the mature woodland with the undulating terrain to ensure a true golfing test with some sensational views of the Surrey North Downs.

Over the years subtle changes have enhanced this spectacular parkland to progress with modern standards but without taking away from the challenge that Colt had originally desired.

Pre-Round Thoughts

The quaint clubhouse has all the traditional characteristics you would expect with a venue steeped in such history. The relaxed feeling was welcoming as I grabbed a tea before heading down the pro shop.

After receiving the warm welcome in the pro shop by one of the team I clipped a few balls down on the range and had a few putts to adjust to the slick putting surfaces and made my way down to the 1st tee.

Front 9 Overview

A really nice gentle start with ample room from the tee, the 1st hole was originally a par 4 but changed to a par 5, and the large green is an accessible target to get your round underway.

The 2nd is as tough as the first was gentle. Dog-legging from left to right and nice big slice is OK but you will to avoid the fairway bunkers. The approach will be of some distance with the defence of the two-tiered green still to overcome.

At 308 yards, the 7th is a great risk and reward hole if you want to send a driver away then avoiding fairway bunkers which are in three different locations is pivotal - the type of hole where a longer iron would be the choice should it be a medal round.

The 9th is probably the toughest of the par 5s as the green is raised with some extremely painful looking bunkers to negotiate.

Back 9 Overview

The 10th is a tough start to the back 9. At 430 yards you will need to hit around 300 yards for the fairway bunkers to really be a problem, but picking a line from the tee is tough as the fairway falls away and is fairly blind.

The 11th and 12th do offer up some scoring opportunities, especially the 12th - which similar to the 1st - is a relatively short par 5. You will need to be vigilant of the fairway bunkers as the hole turns away to the right and a club extra onto the raised green in order to make the putting surface.

The fun really starts at 13th and 14th.

The 13th is the best par 3 on the course, but you’ll need a long iron or fairway wood to reach the green given its yardage of 223. It plays slightly downhill, but a cluster or bunkers short left and a selection of deep bunkers to the right will thwart those who miss the green. You really need to run the ball in to have a chance to holding the green but it’s a very narrow gap, especially given the length of the hole.

The 14th is the most scenic hole on the course. The yellow and white tees are carved into the hill, a good 50 yards – if not more – above the level of a fairway. The views from the whites are exceptional, both of the rolling Surrey countryside and the vast, sweeping fairway below you. It’s a great chance to tee your driver up high and unleash a booming drive, because you want to be as far down the fairway as possible, where it’s flatter. The green is considerably above the level of the fairway, and slants from front left to back right, so coming in with a long iron is simply no fun. When you get onto the green you can have a look back up to get a real idea of the sheer drop from the tee.

The 17th is another really enjoyable hole with another raised tee, but the devilishly slanting green is not for the fainthearted and there is no respite on 18 with a swooping fairway moving left to right that falls off a bank if the miss is right and a long second shot with three substantial bunkers right of the green. A great finish.

Post-Round Thoughts

The condition of the course is first class and fitting that it sits so highly on many of the regional Golfshake top lists.

From the meticulously level tee boxes, superbly mowed fairways, expertly placed and conditioned bunkers along with the slick true tour standard putting surfaces, the course at Tandridge is very hard to fault.

The food on offer after your round is something else that stands out at Tandridge. Make sure you indulge in the famous carvery lunch which is divine, and I have it on good authority that the 'Tandridge Pudding' is the real reason people stick around following the golf.

Verdict

Overall the whole experience at Tandridge is stunning and I can see why it has achieved its Golfshake Highly Recommended status.

The great things is the club also continue to look towards the future and have an acclaimed contemporary course designer, Tim Lobb, of Woking-based Lobb + Partners, who has been engaged by the club to carry out a course-evolution programme, while ensuring the outstanding track retains its natural and historic character.

Over the foreseeable future, further subtle changes will be made on the course to ensure a enjoyable playing experience for players of all ages and abilities.

I'm sure any changes made will be of the highest quality given what is already on offer at Tandridge, which should be experienced by as many of you as possible!

Overall Rating - 9

Course (Conditions) - 10

Course (Hole Variety/Layout) - 10

Course (Green Condition) - 10

Course (Challenge/Difficulty) - 10

Club Facilities & 19th/Clubhouse - 9

Practice Facilities - 9

Friendliness/Hospitality - 9

Pace of Play - 9

Value for Money - 9