You don't have to worry about running into Tavistock Country Club, it's well hidden. Similar to Pine Valley, this exclusive club is also its own borough, the Borough of Tavistock. Carved into a small neighborhood, this exclusive club is perfectly manicured and provides some of the most challenging greens in the area.
(A view of the 10th green at Tavistock CC in Tavistock, New Jersey)
Tavistock Country Club- The Course
It's not an long course. From the Black Tees (the tips), it only plays 6,823 yards but still packs a solid rating/slope of 73.4/139. A challenge for almost any golfer. The next level down is the Gold Tees which play 6,348 yards, which is pretty short. That's where Tavistock became creative.
For such a small Borough, Tavistock sure is creative. In an effort to please the members, they came up with a combination of Black & Gold (which we played) making the course 6,589 yards and a rating/slope of 72.3/133. It's a great combination and something I have not seen at any course I have ever played before. The key is looking at the scorecard to make sure you play the right set of tees on any given hole.
What the course lacks in length, it makes up for with challenging greens and big bunkers. I hit 11 of 14 fairways but missing the green or leaving a long putt proved to be troublesome. How tough were they? I managed a 4-Putt for the first time in my golf career. The greens were quick but not unfair. A misread could cost you a few feet and leave with a difficult comeback putt. Watch for putts running away from the hole after they pass by, seemed to be a reoccurring theme here.
(Notice the undulation in the greens)
The par 3's
Although easy on the eyes, the Par 3's at Tavistock were nothing special. They range in distance from 159 to 210. The 8th hole, the longest of the bunch, has a well defined two tier green. If the pin is in the front, avoid the top tier at all cost (landing on the top tier was the cause of my 4-Putt).
The 16th hole is a 188 yard par 3 over water to a green sloping towards the front. The advice from the Superintendent I was playing with was do no be long. I managed to hit the right side of the green but anything further right would have been OB.
Overall
I would love to play this course int the Spring when the trees are green and everything is full bloom. Even on a fall day, it was a beautiful course in excellent shape. Despite one of the hottest seasons ever, the course was in excellent shape.
I enjoy a course that rewards you for accuracy. Although I hit 11 of 14 fairways, my 7 Greens in Regulation forced me to make some difficult shots around the green. If I left myself on the "short side" of the green, it was almost a stroke penalty every time.
If given the chance to play here, I highly recommend it. It's a beautiful course with an excellent layout just outside of Philadelphia.
Location: Tavistock, New Jersey
Rating/Slope: 72.3/133
My Score: 96 (51-45)
Cost: Ask your host
Proshop: I didn't see it but yes they have one.
Driving Range: Yes, but it's short (pretty much my only criticism of this place)
Website: www.tavistockcc.org
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