Dorset Golf trip

Broadstone Golf Club

Historical development

Broadstone Golf Club was originally laid out in 1898 by Tom Dunn, commissioned by Lord Wimborne. The course took on its present form in 1914, when Harry Colt carried out a significant redesign. Colt’s work established Broadstone as one of England’s leading inland courses.

Course and location

Broadstone sits in the heart of Dorset, close to Bournemouth and Poole, making it easily accessible from the south coast. The course moves through open heathland terrain, with rolling ground, heather, pine trees, and natural elevation changes defining its character.

Playing style and character

The layout is shaped by strategically placed bunkers, subtle doglegs, and greens that blend naturally into the landscape. It rewards thoughtful positioning and precise distance control. Despite its proximity to urban areas, Broadstone offers a relaxed and authentic golfing environment, free from mass tourism.

An authentic golf experience

Broadstone is known for its pure, traditional character. The combination of Colt’s timeless design, classic heathland setting, and rich heritage makes it a standout choice for golfers seeking quality, tranquility, and a deeply rooted English golf experience.

Ferndown Golf Club

A historic gem

Ferndown Golf Club, founded in 1906, lies a short distance from Bournemouth and Poole and is widely regarded as one of the finest traditional heathland courses in southern England. Designed by Harry Colt, the course perfectly reflects his signature philosophy: strategic, natural, and timeless. The quiet beauty and quality of the terrain give Ferndown an understated sense of grandeur.

Strategic and demanding

Ferndown is a classic heathland course where precision matters far more than power. Narrow fairways, subtle elevation changes, and beautifully protected greens demand thoughtful and controlled golf. Every hole rewards positioning and intelligent decision-making, making the course especially admired by experienced players who value strategy and nuance.

A special golfing heritage

The club also shares a deep connection with Peter Alliss, widely regarded as one of golf’s greatest commentators. During his youth, he spent much of his time at Ferndown, where his father, Percy Alliss, served for many years as head professional. This connection reinforces Ferndown’s important place within British golfing culture and history.

A culture of purity

Ferndown Golf Club stands for tradition, quality, and respect for the game. Free from mass tourism and modern excess, the club offers a serene and deeply authentic golfing experience. Here, golf is played as it was intended—focused, elegant, and fully in harmony with the landscape.

Parkstone Golf Club

A rare seaside heathland

Parkstone Golf Club belongs to a rare category within British golf: the true seaside heathland course. The layout combines the rugged, rolling character of traditional heathland golf with a striking coastal setting—something found in very few places. From several holes, players enjoy panoramic views across Poole Harbour, Brownsea Island, and the Isle of Purbeck, vistas rarely associated with heathland golf.

Golden Age design

The course was designed in 1909 by Willie Park Jr., two-time Open Champion and one of golf architecture’s early pioneers. The sandy, undulating terrain of Luscombe Valley, just inland from Poole Harbour, gave the course an almost links-like quality. Respecting the natural contours, Park created a challenging routing filled with elevation changes and blind shots—once famously described as “fit for a mountain goat.”

Refinement by James Braid

In 1932, James Braid was invited to modernise the layout. He designed six new holes, significantly altered four others, and strengthened the strategic character of the course. The result is an imaginative Golden Age design where precision, positioning, and intelligent play matter far more than raw power.

Playing style & experience

Parkstone rewards thought rather than brute force. Elevation changes, strategic bunkering, doglegs, and subtle greens encourage creative shotmaking and careful course management. Combined with coastal winds and extraordinary scenery, the course offers a different challenge every time it is played.

With its rich history, Golden Age pedigree, and exceptional setting, Parkstone is far more than a typical heathland course—it is a true classic: authentic, strategic, and full of character for golfers who appreciate the game in its purest form.

Isle of Purbeck Golf Club

Historical significance

Isle of Purbeck Golf Club, founded in 1892, is one of England’s oldest golf clubs. The course sits in the heart of the beautiful Isle of Purbeck region, surrounded by protected natural landscapes and steeped in golfing tradition. Its historic setting offers players the chance to experience the game in an environment closely connected to the roots of British golf.

Playing style and character

The course combines strategic design with dramatic natural terrain. Rolling hills, heathland features, and coastal exposure demand precision, creativity, and thoughtful course management. Each hole presents its own distinct challenge, celebrating the spirit of authentic and traditional golf.

Natural beauty

With sweeping views across the English Channel coastline and the surrounding Purbeck landscape, the scenery is extraordinary. The rugged beauty of the terrain, rich in native flora and wildlife, makes every round memorable. Here, golf feels pure, peaceful, and far removed from modern distractions.