We know that James Braid charged a fee of ten guineas with ten shillings and six pence expenses for his 1922 design work at Tyrrells Wood (a total of £11.02½p in today’s money!).

Braid identified and marked out tees and greens (start and finish points) together with the sequence of play, then Alan Gow was entrusted with the actual “laying out”.

No drawings, score cards etc. of that layout exist, thus the diagram given here is derived from detailed observations of a series of photographs taken at the time and various assumptions necessary to complete a reasonable picture.

Mr. A.K. Smithells came to the Club as Secretary in 1925 after five years with The Dorset Golf Club, Broadstone.  Under the advice of Harry S. Colt , he carried out extensive alterations specifically to improve “playability”.  Those holes considered too hilly were eliminated, new greens were introduced and playing directions to some original greens were changed.  The playing sequence shown was that in use until the post-war changes.  Shown in red is the initial playing sequence as deduced from photographs and an article published in “Golf Illustrated” after the opening of the amended course in 1926.

The amended layout was highly acclaimed and Mr. Smithell’s efforts were rewarded with increased membership. During the War years, Tyrrells Wood provided accommodation for officers of the Royal Canadian Air Force and part of the course was given over to agriculture.

With membership returning to full strength after the war, a need to introduce a second starting point was recognised.

The fairly simplistic changes involved construction of a new 10th tee and a new 9th hole (originally played to our current temporary green).  The main 9th green was not constructed until 1957.

In 1971 the playing sequence of the course was altered to that currently in use and new teeing grounds made possible the Standard Scratch Score of 70 with Par 71 for a 6219 yard course. Improvements have continued over the years and the course length increased to the current 6310 yards.   

Today, the course remains essentially as Braid and Colt designed it and the Club retains the services of a leading course designer to ensure it continues to provide a never ending challenge and enjoyment to both members and visitors alike.