TADMARTON HEATH GC

[Richard Fisher]

Sean, many apologies but no, I never do (and in fact don't possess a camera other than that on my 'phone). So you'll have to make a return visit at some point and see for yourself. Unquestionably things are moving in the right direction at Taddy.

[Thomas Dai]

On the evidence of a game at the end of last week,  Tadmarton continues to improve significantly, with a really quite extensive programme of tree and gorse clearance really helping both playability, conditioning and aesthetics: after a winter programme of major gorse and scrub removal, the 17th (for example) is now a much better hole, and similar clearance work is in evidence at the 15th and at other points under the club's control. Clubhouse cake and ambience still off low single figures, I am happy to report: there can't be many nicer, and cosier winter spots in British golf than the old farmhouse club room beyond the dining area.

A recent visit to Taddy leads me to echo Richards comments above.

The year-by-year improvement programme has progressed impressively. The bunker work, including re-building existing bunkers, installing new/additional ones and moving-up quite a few to cater for modern golf technology is excellent and has resulted not only in more challenging bunker play but also more interesting playing angles on many holes. Several new further back tees have also been built and gorse removal and tree clearance has continued.

The clubhouse ambiance factor is still high whilst the cakes served 'through the hatch' are now off +hcp!

Visit Taddy...I doubt you'll be disappointed - https://www.tadmartongolf.com/the_club

atb

[Sean_A]

The 2019-20 Winter Tour continued with a surprise game at Taddy.  I remain unsure as to why there is loads of love for the course from certain quarters on this board  , but I will say the bunker and gorse clearing work have improved Taddy.  Perhaps tree work is a bit overly zealous as I witnessed a crew destroying a mature oak for reasons which I failed to understand.  I am no tree hugger, but jeepers, this kind of work (unless the tree was diseased) strikes me as at the very minimum, unnecessary.



See the drastically updated photo thread.

Previous stops on the Tour

Nefyn
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,67656.0.html

Harlech
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,33937.0.html

Planned Stops

Woodhall Spa
Seacroft

Happy Hockey   

[Thomas Dai]

I’m a fan of Taddy so it’s nice to have an update. It’s certainly a course that has come on a lot over the last few years. As to the tree work, tree work like this is pretty specialist work and very expensive so I can’t imagine it wasn’t a safety related matter.
Shame I couldn’t make it, especially with sponge cake on offer!
Atb

[Sean_A]

ATB

What is it about Taddy which makes you a fan?

I really want to like the place, but I find the architecture a bit underwhelming.

Happy Hockey

[Thomas Dai]

Taddy, to me at least, has a special 'aura' to it. Difficult to define in words as this may be. It's somehow a thoroughly nice place to spend 3-4 hours and walk off with a smile on the face wanting to play again rather than feel beaten-up and exhausted.
As to the course itself, well short on the card it may be but it's been enhanced over the last few years with revised and repositioned bunkering such that more 'playing of the angles' is now necessary. Some of the greens are rather small and some are rather rascally, like the 2nd, 8th, and 9th, whilst some have more to them than initially meets the eye with several sloping downwards from front to rear. There are a nice variety of hole lengths too with, unusual these days, short par-3's and there are several par-4's over or near to 400 yds which play into the prevailing wind.
The fact that the course on a pretty flat, easy walking, well conditioned, heathland, sandy, well draining site appeals to me too and then there are the epically yummy cakes and pies served through the hatch in the delightful Clubhouse.
atb

[Richard Fisher]

Warm agreement! I just think that Taddy is a lovely place for a game of golf. No more, no less.

[Sean_A]

Taddy, to me at least, has a special 'aura' to it. Difficult to define in words as this may be. It's somehow a thoroughly nice place to spend 3-4 hours and walk off with a smile on the face wanting to play again rather than feel beaten-up and exhausted.
As to the course itself, well short on the card it may be but it's been enhanced over the last few years with revised and repositioned bunkering such that more 'playing of the angles' is now necessary. Some of the greens are rather small and some are rather rascally, like the 2nd, 8th, and 9th, whilst some have more to them than initially meets the eye with several sloping downwards from front to rear. There are a nice variety of hole lengths too with, unusual these days, short par-3's and there are several par-4's over or near to 400 yds which play into the prevailing wind.
The fact that the course on a pretty flat, easy walking, well conditioned, heathland, sandy, well draining site appeals to me too and then there are the epically yummy cakes and pies served through the hatch in the delightful Clubhouse.
atb

You make some good points and I especially like the feel of the club.  But I can't think of a single hole of exceptional merit despite very free draining land.  There are a handful of good holes for sure, but nothing which stands out.  Perhaps Taddy is one of those courses that add up to more than its parts.   

I will say there were a few wtf moments. 

1. The large bunker on the 4th..why?

2. The narrow fairway for the blind 12th? There is so much corridor space there that it feels and looks very wrong.  Plus they planted what I can only assume are safety trees on the right. 

3. Tearing down a beautiful oak on #11...definitely left a bad taste. 

4. In the 18th fairway middle/left, blocked out by trees.   

Happy Hockey

[Thomas Dai]

A recent visit highlighted how Tadmarton Heath continues to go from strength to strength. The course, which a while back was showing its age somewhat, has really come on a bunch over the last few years with in particular revised bunkering and considerable vegetation removal/trimming in many places. The quality of the cakes and other such yummy goodies continues to be outstanding.
Some pix below from my recent visit.
atb
Below - the short par-4 15th at left with the 14th green at right.

Below - the long par-4 4th as viewed from short-left of the green. The 17th green is visible in the background.

Below - the short par-3 10th.

Below - the short par-3 7th with the old farmhouse Clubhouse at far left.

Below - the 2nd green.

Below - the 6th with it's steep sleeper faced right-hand bunker.

Below - the approach to the short but evil par-4 15th.

Below - the par-3 16th.