Best golf courses in Dorset

Sitting within the Top 100 Golf Courses guide to England, Broadstone is a Harry Colt classic design set in 250-acres of fantastic Dorset countryside. Featuring all the staples of a Colt course, Broadstone has sweeping and undulating landscapes with swathes of heather, pine, wild bunkers, gorse, and rhododendrons which provide the bulk of the challenge you will find.

Broadstone also provides a balanced experience with some gettable par-4s potentially tempting in the bigger hitters, while its par-3s should not be underestimated. Like most Harry Colt courses, this stunning layout demands respect and must not taken lightly as it will punish you if you find yourself out of position.

The clubhouse is a lovely facility to end your day at, with a great selection of food, drink, and lovely facilities guests can make use of. All-round, Broadstone is an excellent course to enjoy on your next golf break!

One of the finest courses on the south coast, Parkstone is another Top 100 course and a staple favourite of golfers who do a classic Bournemouth golf tour. Opened in 1909 & reimagined by James Braid in 1937, this 6,254-yard par-72 is sure to test every aspect of your game.

A beautiful, mature heathland course, Parkstone is tree-lined by lovely old pines and offers tremendous panoramic views of Poole Harbour, Brownsea Island and the coastal downs of the Isle of Purbeck.

Although short by modern standards, Parkstone is very much a positional course with precision off the tee favourable to bombing it 300-yards into the trees. However, there are a few risk & reward par-4s & 5s where the daring amongst us may wish to tee it high & let it fly.

Another consistent member of the coveted Top 100 Courses in England, Isle of Purbeck Golf Club is one of the most striking courses in the UK. With incredible views of the surrounding area, golfers are treated to panoramic sights of the Solent, Isle of Wight, Brownsea Island and Poole Harbour as they tackle the par-70 Purbeck Course. Also located on-site & equally as impressive, with views over Swanage, is the 9 hole Dene Course which offers an excellent alternative for less experienced golfers.

The signature hole at the Isle of Purbeck has to be the 5th hole on the Purbeck Course. The tee box provides one of the best views you’ll find on any golf course in the UK with sweeping views of surrounding area. The other 17 holes are as equally impressive, with every hole being unique and varied in its challenge, offering a new focal point of the beautiful surroundings.

Set amongst 256-acres of beautiful ancient woodland, Remedy Oak Golf Club is always a favourite of any golfer who visits Dorset. Rated within the Top 3 courses in the south of England, Remedy Oak is new by golfing standards having only opened its doors in 2006, however, it provides a good test of golf measuring at over 7000-yards from the championship tees.

Golfers who play Remedy Oak may be reminded slightly of Augusta National with its tree-lined fairways, hanging lies & quick undulating greens reminiscent of the famous Masters course. Indeed, golfers who play Remedy Oak are advised to favour accuracy over power as keeping the ball on the short grass is key if you wish to score well.

Often viewed as one of the prettiest golf courses in England, the Old Course at Ferndown Golf Club is a real treat for any golfer. Designed by Open champion Harold Hilton and officially opened to the public in 1913, the Old Course at Ferndown is known for being a tree-lined heather filled course where golfers will face a firm test for every aspect of their game.

A member of the Top 100 Courses in England, each hole at Ferndown is more memorable than the last and its outstanding signature 18th hole is considered to be one of the best closing holes in the UK.

Home to 27-holes of top-quality golf, The Dorset Golf & Country Club is a great choice for golfers who want to combine the enjoyment of playing a Top 150 golf course with the luxury of a four-star resort in the beautiful Dorset countryside.

Each nine on offer at The Dorset plays completely different. The Parkland nine plays long with meandering fairways and thick rough areas, the Lakeland nine incorporates water hazards which come into play over half of the holes, and the Woodland nine is carved out of a rhododendron forest and requires accuracy over power.

All the golf on offer comes with spectacular views of the Purbeck Hills and an abundance of interesting wildlife that can be enjoyed irrespective of how well you may be playing.

Designed by Donald Steel who is notable for his design for the modern St Andrews, the championship course at Dudsbury is a real treat to play for any golfer. Host of many prestigious events such as the PGA Europro Tour, as seen on Sky Sports, and the BMW PGA Order of Merit Championship, it’s a top-notch course set in 160-acres of beautiful Dorset countryside.

Golfers who play Dudsbury will notice the fantastic quality of the course, with the layout enjoying exceptional drainage meaning its open near enough all year-round. The 16th hole at Dudsbury is undoubtedly one of the highlights, a fun risk and reward hole, golfers are challenged to drive the ball over two lakes where the more aggressive the drive the greater the reward, however, a mishit or misjudged shot may result in disaster and ruin what could have been a good score.