RAISING THE BAR

With the assessing period for our next Top 100 list in full swing, the editor heads to Tandridge for a rankings catch-up with two course raters and the club's head pro...

- Neil Tappin

One subject that’s guaranteed to spark a good old debate among club golfers, other than the answer to slow play and the handicap system, is golf courses – and more specifically, the Top 100. It’s a topic that can last an entire round and just as long in the clubhouse bar afterwards. Our own Top 100 list (it used to be 120) has seen a lot of changes over the last two decades, and it’s always a fascinating project to put together. We could talk about golf courses in the office all day.

Sometimes, in fact, we do, but recently, we ventured out to Tandridge Golf Club in Oxted, Surrey – a Harry Colt gem, which currently sits at number 97 on our list – to talk with three experts: Golf Monthly Top 100 panellists Jamie Hudson and Matt Weavers, plus the head pro at the club, Chris Evans.

In this entertaining Q&A, which could have lasted many more hours, we discuss a range of topics, including what makes a

Top 100 course so special. Our experts also name a few courses that you should add to your ‘must play’ list and share some of their favourite experiences. It’s sure to make you start planning another trip…

GM We have a lot of very good courses in the UK and Ireland. What is it that separates the very best from the rest?

Jamie I think about the three Vs: versatility, variety and views. How do the holes play for a scratch golfer, a professional and an 18-handicapper? How do they play off both the white and the yellow tees? I consider the mix of par 3s, 4s and 5s – so the shape of the holes, how they are routed and the wind direction. Finally, the views. You spend a lot of time on the golf course looking around while not hitting the ball. What does it look like? How does it set up scenically?