The Addington Golf Club

Addington GC is located in the southern part of London. The very first hole—a par-3 played uphill—gives a hint of the course’s rugged terrain. On four holes, you cross ravines via wooden footbridges. The undulating fairways are dramatic, with the most characteristic one found on the 12th hole, a par-5. The course has a total of six par-3 holes. At the 11th hole, you can grab a bite to eat at the halfway house. Unusually, the course has 19 holes. The extra hole is wedged between the 9th and 10th holes. It’s a short par 3 with a beautifully undulating green. From some parts of the course, there are beautiful views of the skyscrapers in central London.

Ryan Noades took over at the helm of the South London club a few months before my last visit in 2020. At that time, I celebrated some decent golf on a heavily tree-lined course with pacy greens and quirky holes. Five years later, a glimpse of the course from the car park was all it took to see the difference. “Where have all the trees gone?” I remarked, looking across three holes towards the course’s highest point. The answer is that hundreds, if not thousands, have been removed, giving the course a feel more like that laid down by famous architects John Abercromby and Harry Colt. While the risk of losing a ball is reduced, I don’t believe the challenge is diminished. Success is most likely found through strategy rather than brute force, and a tip-top short game is required for a stellar score. The wind was fierce during the front nine, but worked in my favour as I posted a par-three on the first and a par-five on the second. Removing the tree and bush on both holes has introduced light and exposed green run-offs that will filter away imprecise shots. There are only 37 sand traps, but they are so well placed that some will almost certainly be found during a round. This is no great hardship, though; the white sand is so fine that it allows for prompt escape. The new seventh was out of commission when we played because its green is being extended to become the biggest on the course. It looks impressive, if daunting. There are now 19 holes at The Addington. The brand new one is called Perdu (or ‘lost’). This green was discovered during the renovation as an alternative to the 12th. It has now been made into a gorgeous short par-three with a superb, if very tricky, putting surface. The restoration on the 13th has sparked much debate due to the removal of its hallmark rhododendron bushes. It is still a heck of a par-three at 230 yards from the white tee, and our host narrowly missed a tremendous birdie after a stunning tee shot. The most memorable element of the changes has been the opening up of views of central London. This 'wow factor' had previously been reserved for the tee on the par-four 14th, from which The Shard can be seen. Now, a panorama of the city can be viewed from various parts of the course. The vistas are simply stunning. The overriding memory of the day will not be my play but the incredible reinvention of the golf course. The project is far from complete, so I look forward to returning to see how it develops with an even greater thirst than I had five years ago.

The Addington is a work in progress in terms of a multi year renovation project, and I'd very much like to come back in a few years and see the finished product.

At the moment, At the moment, it's difficult to be too objective. The clubhouse, which is planned to be replaced and moved up to higher ground is fine. Nice sun terrace, friendly staff bit in terms of the locker rooms, toilets and general external appearance can best be described as tired.

The course is also someway off the required standard in terms of conditioning. I applaud the plans to remove most of the scrub and small trees (really just big weeds!) which have accumulated over the past 100 years, but other aspects of the work concern me. In places the modernisation works seemed out of keeping with the original Colt design ethos - and I worry that essential feel will be lost and something of an old/modern hybrid will result, being neither one thing or the other. Time will tell I guess.

The focus is clearly on the major works, and not on course conditioning. I would describe it as "scruffy". Lots of divots on fairways, paths with no clearly defined edges, bumpy greens etc

As I said earlier, some of this may be a bit unkind given what is taking place. If you're a student of course architecture and interested in the renovation process then you'd find it fascinating. Otherwise, unless a member's guest, it might be best waiting 2-3 years for the work to progress and the course conditioning to improve.

Addington is a very difficult course. Measuring just under 6000 yards from the daily tees, Addington plays much like a 6400 yarder. It may seem just an Addington anomoly, but there are two main reasons for the magical added yardage. First, in an almost imperceptible way, Addington has six short holes. This has the knock on effect of adding a virtual 400-500 yards to the card. Second, many holes require rather steep uphill approaches. Make no mistake, Addington severely tests the long ball. Compare scorecards from today and 1937, very little change in 85 years.

Addington has what I would call four controversial holes. I expect all know about #12. It can't be properly described anyhow. The other three are #s 8,13 & 16. If there is any such thing as an over the top hole #8 is it. A 400+ yarder legging hard left with a blind, steeply uphill drive. The fairway is humpbacked with both sides falling away. The hole has been massively improved with recent tree clearance to the point where it may no longer be controversial. #13 is an evil 200 yard par 3 with bunkering left and right. Nothing but perfection will do. Very penal in nature, but great none the less. #16 is an all world short 500 yard par 5 which slings hard left and downhill. The hole begs the golfer to go for it in two mainly because the layup is more or less an iron. You see, Addington is riddled with ravines, one of which cuts through the fairway just short of the green. Additionally, the fairway runs downhill about 100 yards out so the layup needs to be short of this steep area. Great hole! Perhaps the best on the course.

One of the most refreshing aspects of Addington is the bunkering in no way defines the course. After seeing rows of bunkers on new courses it is a delight to see a course which is defined by its terrain. The course is coming alive with the recent tree clearance. Even so, Addington cannot be categorized. Despite my misgivings about #8 and the most famous hole on the course, #12 (even though I question this hole I am still prepared to call it great), Addington is spot on in erring on the side of outrageousness.

Addington is a severe course; often quite penal, but never dull... and that is despite a bit of a slow burner opening six holes. Due to it's heroic nature, this isn't the sort of course I would relish playing week in and week out, but there can be little debate concerning Addington's quality nor my admiration for the design. Perhaps the difficulty could have been eased with a driveable par 4 or two. Regardless, Addington is a very good and perhaps more importantly, highly emotive. If current changes continue I have no doubt Addington will take a seat at London's top table of golf.

The Addington is going to be a very very special place once all the renovations have taken place.

The course is a very picturesque heathland one with a great variety of holes and stunning views across the London skyline.

You definitely need to think your way around the course and it’s not just a case of hitting driver off every tee.

Despite the recent hot weather, the course was in fantastic condition and definitely the most green course I’ve sent recently.