"Who would have thought that 30 days away from Christmas you could be playing 18 holes in shirt sleeves?   Not me for sure.   But on Monday I found myself waltzing along the third at Hurdwick, near Tavistock, with the sun on my back and just enough bite in the air to make it perfect for an afternoon stroll with my bag of clubs.   On days like Monday there are few better ways to spend your spare time than with a round of golf.

I opted for Hurdwick, primarily to tell you of a scheme they operate that is beautiful in its simplicity.   Non-members pay green fees of £20 but as an added bonus, if they pay and play four times within three months they get the fifth round free!

Hurdwick also encourages students to play at the course with a special discount for student union card holders

It's that sort of attention to detail that always draws me back for a few rounds a year at the parkland course, overlooking dear old Tavistock, where I spent many happy years as a trainee.

You get a fantastic view walking along the par five 11th that stretches across the top of the course and when you play the downhill 12th and 14th holes you tee off towards Tavistock.

Here I was in a tranquil setting, a mile outside Tavistock, with the sound of bird chatter and little else to bother me as I whistled along.   Even the robin, perched on one of the tee pegs at the fifth, doesn't seem to have a care in the world as I brush by.

I don't know what it was about Monday but the people playing at Hurdwick were some of the most courteous I have "bumped" into on a golf course for a long time.   I was waved through three times in the first nine holes.   I guess the groups I passed by were just enjoying their little bit of West Devon heaven as much as I was.     I decided not to take time out and sit on the perfectly placed bench that overlooks the 12th and 14th holes towards Tavistock and its surrounding tors that rise up out of the Moors like great guardians of the town.

Hurdwick Golf Club is situated a mile north of Tavistock on the Brentor Church Road.   Green fees are £20, students with student union cards pay £13, the same fee applies to juniors (10-17 year olds).   There is a special rate for societies of 10 or more people, who get a buffet lunch as well for £25 per person.  

To book a round or for further information, telephone Hurdwick on 01822 612 746."

Ross Reid (Sports Correspondent) -   Western Morning News

 

"With very reasonable green fees and stunning views of Dartmoor, this course has much to recommend it before you set foot on the first tee.  At a little over 5,300 yards, it's by no means the longest of courses, but a variety of hedges, a quarry and a large selection of thickset fir trees makes it devilishly tricky.  Holes of particular note are the par 5 3rd at about 600 yards (possibly the longest hole in Devon), the par 4 15th, with a sloping green that must be surely as fast as the 16th at Augusta and the par 4 17th, which involves a drive through high hedges each side and carry of over 180 yards to clear yet another hedge.  All round the course, the greens are slick and require the deftest touches with your putter.  Return to the eccentric friendly little clubhouse with well stocked bar and know that you will want to come back."

J. Ebson, Golf Today

 

"Are you a businessman who struggles to fit golf into your schedule, in spite of your better wishes?  Try out the course at Hurdwick Golf Club, one of the new "Exclusive" courses, influenced by our friends on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean.  Indeed, Americans were becoming so frustrated at the length of time a round takes clashing with their frantic schedules, so innovated an eighteen-hole course which is designed to take no more than three hours to complete, whilst not sacrificing the challenge or enjoyment of it. It experienced considerable success in the States and, if the popularity of this course is anything to go by, it is being repeated here too. A good method for eradicating the slow-play problem."

English Country Golf Courses