Every time I return to Hadden Hill, usually every couple of years, I am impressed by the improvements that have taken place as the club continues its development.

When you consider that the course opened as a nine-hole facility just 18 years ago, with the second nine holes added a year later, those of us who started our golf schooling at that time cannot fail to be impressed with how it has progressed.

Now, the course measures 6,563 yards from the back tees, providing a par-71 challenge over gently undulating parkland with fine views on the back nine over the downs.

Hadden Hill was the club I joined in its infancy as I took up the game seriously. I enjoyed seven happy years there, eventually achieving a 13 handicap, and now I never tire of returning, even though the handicap has lengthened to 16.

The course has matured so much since the early 1990s, with the fairways so much more lush and the trees between the holes now well into maturity, while the greens continue to be of exceptionally high standard.

The course has the advantage of being well drained, which makes it playable throughout the whole year. I understand that the course has not closed because of rain for one day during the past 14 years.

Perhaps the most noticeable change at Hadden Hill is the recent opening of its new six-hole par three academy course, which has been cleverly designed in and around the former second and third holes of the 18-hole course.

This course, which is ideal for short-game practice and for youngsters and beginners to the game, has been partially funded by Sport England and Golf England, through the community development programme, with the objective of encouraging newcomers to the game. This facility means that not only can Hadden Hill cater for beginners and youngsters, but it now offers an all-round package for more accomplished golfers — a short-game practice course, a challenging 18-hole test and a 20-bay driving range with eight Powertee automated teeing systems, as used at St Andrews, The Belfry and Wentworth.

The course was designed by the club’s owner/manager Michael Morley and built to the highest possible specification. The course has more than 30 miles of underground drainage and each of its excellent bunkers has a drain underneath, so even in midwinter these hazards are ‘playable’.

The greens are built on a stone layer and the growing medium is 70 per cent sand, to allow for quick drainage and fine grasses.

I played the course a few weeks ago on a rather windy day, although the weather did not spoil my enjoyment of testing myself against the holes which I know so well from the past, but which have toughened up as the trees, shrubs and the contoured fairways have matured.

The opening par five hole is always a joy to play, with its side-sloping fairway. The second is now played to a new green, as the old green is incorporated in the new six-hole course.

Although the third hole has been slightly changed, it is still a severe dog-leg and it has a ditch running across the front of the green, making it a harder decision as to whether to play up short of the ditch with your second shot, or chance a long iron to the green and risk your ball taking a dip in the ditch.

The fourth, fifth and sixth holes are excellent par fours, while the tricky seventh, although a mere 129 yards long, has a large bunker in front which catches many players out.

The ninth holds fond memories for me, as I achieved my first hole-in-one there in a club competition. Sadly, on this visit, I didn’t even make the green off the tee.

The dog-leg 10th hole tempts you to try to cut the corner, but wiser heads play safe and settle for hitting the green in two shots.

The 11th is straightforward enough — if you avoid the huge pond on the left of the fairway – while the 12th is another of my favourites. It’s a 507-yard par five, with a spacious fairway and only a mid-fairway bunker to catch your second shot and preventing you from making a par.

The other hole I very much enjoy playing is the 18th, especially off the raised back tee. A good drive and a measured second can get you close to the green, but you still have to stop the ball rolling off the back if you want to make par.

On the academy course, the holes vary in length from 110 yards to 170 yards; Mike Morley, who designed new six-hole course, as well as the 18-hole course, said: “The greens have been built to the same high specification as our original holes.

“We have also put in sufficient drainage to allow for year round play. It is felt by Golf England that this will be a great asset for the club in developing young golfers and helping to start many into this wonderful game.”

Juniors continue to be welcome at Hadden Hill and the discounted membership offered to them reflects this.

Hadden Hill was the first club in Oxfordshire to be awarded the Junior Golf Mark accreditation, in September 2005, and the club’s work in promoting golf in local schools, introducing basic golf skills and offering group classes and individual tuition has meant that many youngsters have developed into very accomplished players.

The club’s hospitality is second-to-none, with Mike Morley readily available to welcome members and visitors alike, while the professional shop is well-stocked and the clubhouse provides excellent food and refreshment.

The club professional is Ian Mitchell, a PGA pro, who joined Hadden Hill from the Leaderboard Golf Centre in Reading, where he was part of Scott Cranfield golf academy, teaching full time.

Visitors are welcome at Hadden Hill seven days a week; and societies are also welcome, with various packages available, including golf and meals.

Contacts: Hadden Hill, Wallingford Road, Didcot Tel: 01235 510410.

Website: www.haddenhillgolf.co.uk