Located only 13 miles, or 30 minutes from the centre of London, The Addington Golf Club designed in 1912 by John Frederick Abercromby, (fondly known as Aber) who has been accredited as being 'one of the outstanding architects in all of golf', is one of the best inland courses in the UK. If you have never visited The Addington you wouldn't believe you were so close to the centre of London. The fairways wander through mature pine and birch trees which create a real feeling of intimacy, yet the course still affords expansive views of the metropolis from hilltop tees like that at the 14th. Crystal Palace's towering mast looms in the foreground, while the Nat West Tower, Canary Wharf and the incongruous Swiss Re building (otherwise known as 'The Gherkin') provide a marvelous contrast to the rich woodland.
The Addington is a wonderful golf oasisPeter Alliss
Originally gravel hills, the rugged landscape features several ravines throughout and has become heavily wooded over time. In picking this site, Abercromby left no doubt that his intent from the start was to build a challenging course.
The Addington is truly a special place, its like the holy grail for architects...Ronan Rafferty
Its fabulous
The course has remained virtually unchanged since its design which is testament to the skilled design ability of Abercromby who looked upon The Addington as his finest creation. The founder as well as the designer Abercromby ran the club and course as a benevolent dictator for than twenty years after it opened. Continually tinkering with, there is no doubt that the lion's share of design credit belongs to Abercromby. When a visitor once has the audacity to ask where he could find the suggestion box, Aber famously replied "I am the suggestion box" It's a shame that he did not design more courses, but fortunately The Addington has been preserved essentially unchanged since Aber's death in 1935.
Anyone wishing to write to the author should address all correspondence to: PG Wodehouse, c/o the 6th bunker, The Addington Golf Club, Croydon, SurreyPG Wodehouse
The Addington is a lesson in design for today's course architects and was certainly appreciated by the American designer Tom Doak who, in his 'Confidential Guide to Golf Courses' lists The Addington in his top 31 courses in the world.
With the exception of the 5th hole at Pine Valley, Philadelphia, the greatest one shot hole in inland golf - par 3 13thHenry Longhurst
The Addington is an extraordinary golfing paradise and is without doubt one of the finest courses in the South East and ranked in Golf Worlds Top 100 Courses in Great Britain and Ireland. The Addington is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered and enjoyed. The course has some truly memorable holes that will remain long in the memory.
Be a part of golfing history, play The Addington.