The Top 10 Golf Courses in Dorset

View The Dorset Golf Club >

The Parkland/Lakeland loops at the award-winning Dorset Golf & Country Club make up the 18 championship holes. Both starting and finishing at the clubhouse, the course offers a variety of holes from well protected, long ranging doglegs such as the Lakeland 5th, to risk reward holes like the Parkland 1st or Lakeland 3rd.

With a number of tee positions, the course is very much playable for all standards, however from the back tees, the course plays to over 7,000 yards and has played host to a number of prestigious events notably; The South West PGA Championship, The Mastercard Tour Event, County Championships, West of England Seniors and County Matches.

Famous course designer Martin Hawtree who works closely with the R&A on Open Courses designed the course in the early 90's. His signature undulating greens and clover shaped bunkers feature across the course and in the spring/early summer, the course is lit up by colourful rhododendrons.

For those wanting to stay on-site at the beautiful Scandinavian lodges or hotel, The Dorset offer stay and play packages which include dinner and breakfast, plus golf across all 27 holes at the resort.

View Dudsbury Golf Club >

As a venue Dudsbury offers the whole package. One of the best parkland courses in the region, a well-appointed hotel and excellent leisure facilities. It is one of only a few stay and play golf facilities in the region and well worth your consideration as a base for your Bournemouth golf tour or as a stand alone stay and play visit.

The course itself offers something different from the many heathland golf courses on this list. Whilst the course can get wet during the winter months, it blossoms in the summer months into one of the finest parkland courses in the South West.

This Donald Steel design is certainly no pushover, running out from the tips not far from the 7,000 yard mark. Set in the north of Bournemouth, the course meanders around the 160 acre estate bringing water into play on a large number of the tree-lined holes.

It's reputation is one which may often be overshadowed by it's neighbouring courses such as Ferndown, however Dudsbury in its own right has hosted some prestigious events down the years including the famous "South West Week" and professional EuroPro Tour contests.

Both midweek and weekend availability is possible here, despite the club's active membership. This is a brilliant addition to any Bournemouth golf tour and one which may be the missing piece to tie together an unforgettable tour in the local area.

View Bridport Golf Club >

Set on the Jurassic Coast cliffs above West Bay, Bridport Golf Club is a favourite.

Featuring in many a golf tour, often alongside nearby Lyme Regis, Bridport Golf Club offers 18 holes in a dramatic setting with exceptional views.

Whilst officially a cliff-top parkland course, Bridport does at times have the strong feeling of a links, in part due to how close you get to the beach.

Set in an area of natural beauty, you certainly will not be disappointed after a day spent at Bridport. Particularly after navigating the feature 6th hole which is a 129 par 3 with no less than a 90 yard drop!

Established initially in 1891, but moving to its current location in 1911, the course has seen a number of renovations over the years. After the most recent major works in 1989, the course now runs to 6,200 yards, but what it may lack in out and out length, it more than makes up for in intricate course design around natural contouring and unforgettable views.

If you’re heading to the south coast for a golf tour, it almost seems rude not to find yourself a round by the sea… and if that’s your plan, you could do a lot worse than Bridport & West Dorset.

View Sherborne Golf Club >

Sherborne Golf Club is located on the Dorset-Somerset border just a few miles to the East of Yeovil. Its location means this is a popular choice for visitors looking for a tour in the Yeovil area or as a stop off en-route to the great courses situated around Bournemouth.

Sherborne is a picturesque parkland course set in the peaceful countryside, was initially established in 1894 and has been frequent renovations over the last century. The current layout sets up as a par 72 which extends to just over 6,400 yards from the back tees and great views of the surrounding Vale of Sparkford and Blackmore Vale. Interestingly the course has only 3 par 3's, although all are of a high quality, particularly the 192 yard 9th "The Badger" which requires a long iron or fairway wood to carry the valley. The tee shot from an elevated position at the 14th also will stick in the mind. A short 300 yard risk-reward par 4 which doglegs left from the tee position with a cambered fairway.

The course is characterised by its traditional parkland features including smaller greens, at times heavily tree-lined holes and strategic bunkers. Whilst there are times when a longer carry is necessary, the designers have done a good job to offer alternative routes for shorter hitters to manage their way around the course without feeling the need to try and overdo it. In the summer months, the condition of the course is second to none and deservedly ranks as the highest-rated parkland course in the county.

View Knighton Heath Golf Club >

In a recent visit to Knighton Heath, the pro described the course as "the best of the rest", in reference to its position close to the Dorset "big 4". It's hard to argue with this statement. Kighton is a true heathland course with pine lined fairways, set on high ground and benefiting from natural drainage. Whilst it is perhaps overshadowed by its famous neighbours, the course offers an interesting and enjoyable test and is always presented in excellent condition. You could quite easily categorise as a "hidden gem".

Not blessed with a large expanse of land, there is only 90 acres on the estate, however it does not feel compacted when you're on the course and the designers have done an excellent job with the space they have. A number of holes feature a dogleg layout and changes in elevation which make for a truly interesting round. This is perhaps characterised best by the 5th hole which sweeps right from the tee into an elevated green with pine both sides. At only 300 yards, this hole should be a scoring hole... It however tends to be the early undoing of many scorecards.

The Club is situated in the north of Bournemouth, just a 10 minute drive from the centre of the town and located a few miles from Dudsbury and Ferndown golf clubs. It does not command the same green fee price as the courses further up this list and therefore is a great value and quality addition to any Bournemouth golf tour.

View Isle of Purbeck Golf Club >

The course at Purbeck offers something a little different to the other courses in the local Bournemouth area and is a little closer in style to the courses of the Jurassic Coast, a little further to the West.

A heathland course that sits high up on a plateau at Studland and offers a 360-degree vista of the Solent, Poole Bay and Harbour, Bournemouth and the Purbeck Hills. Whilst the course is fantastic in its own right, it can be hard to keep your concentration on the golf with the views on offer.

Many mistakenly characterise this as a links course, but whilst this is certainly coastal, it is a heathland, set on a site of special scientific interest and is adorned with gorse, heather and fauna. This is an outstanding area of natural beauty and quite simply is golf as its meant to be played. You'll share the course with deer, and buzzards and for the avian enthusiasts, may even spot the rare Dartford Warbler.

Condition is usually excellent, but you'll forgive the odd blemish as the greens staff have to contend with working on a site of such significance. The exposed location means that wind often comes into play and the fairways and greens notoriously play lightning-quick through the summer months.

Perhaps one of the most memorable holes is the 5th. A par 4 which starts from a high tee box set on a 3000-year-old Saxon buial ground (there's a line we haven't said too often!), and cascades downhill, doglegging right into a narrow green. The hole itself has won awards as one of the best holes in England and the view from the tee is perhaps worth the great value green fee alone!

Purbeck is one of our most popular course choices in Bournemouth and whilst set outside the town, is accessible via the chain ferry, meaning the journey to the course from the town in itself is an experience. Weekend tee times are possible and is often the course of choice to ensure a tour of the finest courses in the region are possible over weekend dates.

View Broadstone Golf Club >

So we come to the top 4. Perhaps the toughest top 4 to pick from any of the south west counties and if we're honest there is hardly anything to choose between the next 4 courses. Ask 100 golfers familiar with this region and you'll very likely get 4 different course orders.

Broadstone is without doubt one of the finest heathland courses in the south of England. An unspoiled sand based course nestled within 250 acres of heath, gorse, pines and colourful rhododendrons, the course is always ranked highly within any South West list worth its salt.

The course runs 6,400 yards through one of the most picturesque layouts in the whole south west. The front nine winds its way through rich heathland, while the elevated back 9 offers golfers panoramic views of the Dorset countryside, from Purbeck Hills to Poole Harbour.

Broadstone simply must be included in any serious Bournemouth tour. Whilst the on-course experience is World class, off the course, the contemporary clubhouse bar complete with views of the first and last holes provides a great spot for a post-round drink or two.

Sometimes high ranking golf clubs have a reputation for a stilted, stuffy environment. Not Broadstone. You can expect a friendly welcome in all areas of the club to truly make for a memorable visit.

View Remedy Oak Golf Club >

Those who have visited Remedy Oak in the past will vouch for the fact that this exclusive course has to be considered as one of the finest parkland designs in the south of England.

Until relatively recently the club was for the use of its members and guests, however recent changes mean this Open Qualifying venue can be enjoyed by those lucky enough to secure a tee time.

As you walk through the pine-lined fairways and navigate well-positioned ponds complete with quaint bridges, it's perhaps the closest you'll feel to playing Augusta in the South of England. This parkland course stretches 7100 yards through the gated estate, set in the beautiful Dorset countryside and is maintained to the very highest standard. The members of this great venue demand nothing less.

The course was designed by former Ryder Cup captain John Jacobs and opened for play in 2005. In that time it has developed a reputation as one of the finest inland courses in Britain and is regularly ranked within the top 100 courses in the UK.

For a course of this age to have already built a reputation of this stature is quite remarkable and almost unheard of. Its quality means we now refer to the traditional Bournemouth "Big 3" as the "Big 4".

View Parkstone Golf Club >

One of our most requested golf courses in the whole of the South West.

A sand-based heathland set close to Poole Bay and Poole Harbour, affording fantastic views of both.

The course is lined with pine, heather and colourful rhododendrons creating a picturesque setting for a memorable round of golf.

Perhaps one of the attractions here is that the course plays to only 6,300 yards from the back tees. Length is not necessarily required here, instead shrewd course management and solid ball striking will produce a good score.

One of the original, famous Bournemouth “Big Three”, which has contributed to the region becoming one of the most popular golf tour destinations in the country. The beautiful Parkstone Golf Club is one of the countries premier heathland courses and is regularly ranked well inside the UK&I top 100.

The current layout of the course has been in place since modifications were made in 1937 by legendary course designer James Braid. A varied and challenging round of golf awaits, with five excellent short holes being accompanied by five varied par 5’s. All this in meticulously kept surroundings of the beautiful Dorset coast.

Whilst it is possible to gain a tee time at Parkstone, this is a members golf club with limited visitor tee times available each week. We advise having flexibility with your dates to have the best chance of including Parkstone on your tour. We are one of less than a handful of selected, official tour operators to work with Parkstone, so contact us for the best chance of gaining access to this wonderful course.

View Ferndown Golf Club >

So to our number one on this list.

In truth there is very little to choose between the top 4 on this list and if you are lucky enough to line up these 4 courses during a week, you really are looking at a bucket list tour.

The Old Course at Ferndown Golf Club is one of the most prestigious venues in the south of England. An England Championship golf venue, which has played host to some of the top events including regional qualifying for The Open Championship in 2023.

Known as one of Bournemouth’s “Big 3”. When you visit Ferndown, you follow in the steps of golfing legends such as Faldo, Jacklin, Langer & Norman. The club is a pine and heathland heaven set in beautiful Dorset countryside just a few miles from the seaside town of Bournemouth. The main event at Ferndown is the fantastic Old Course, an intricately designed 18-hole heathland course designed by open champion Harold Hilton and will challenge and delight players of all skill levels.

The course always looks stunning and is playable all year, enjoying pristine grooming from tee to green that earns it comparisons to the world-famous Augusta. Full of subtle hazards, well-positioned bunkers and beautiful heathland settings, the old course at Ferndown will stimulate your golfing senses while hitting the sweet spot of peace and tranquility.

If all of this wasn’t enough for visitors there is also the Alliss course, a challenging 9-hole course with a variety of tee positions and starting points and is a fantastic course enjoyed by members and visitors alike. If you want an introduction to the top quality golf on offer in Dorset then look no further than Ferndown Golf Club

Unfortunately we only had room on this list for 10 course, but Dorset is lucky enough to have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to golf. See below a few courses which really should also be considered as part of your next Dorset golf tour.

Lyme Regis Golf Club

Ashley Wood Golf Club

Yeovil Golf Club

Weymouth Golf Club

Meyrick Park Golf Club