Best golf courses in Dorset

Dorset is a county renowned for its natural beauty thanks to the New Forest, picturesque countryside, and stunning coastal setting. This area boasts a variety of courses that cater to golfers of all skill levels, from scenic links to historic heathland courses to picture-perfect woodland layouts.

Below, we explore some of the best golf courses in Dorset, highlighting their unique characteristics and what makes them such special places to play golf!

Located just north of Bournemouth and Poole, Broadstone Golf Club is often regarded as one of the finest heathland courses in the South of England. The layout was originally designed by renowned architect, Tom Dunn (of Ganton fame) before it was later redesigned by THE Harry Colt in 1914.

The course has remained largely unchanged since then. Meandering through a stunning landscape of mature woodland, with rich heather, undulating fairways, and perhaps its most defining feature, large cross bunkers.

The signature holes are the 6th, a short-ish par 3 protected by a bank and three large greenside bunkers, and the 14th. A raised tee box plays down to a gentle dogleg before being tested with a difficult approach shot – uphill with four bunkers guarding the green. Exceptional!

Broadstone Golf Club facts

• Length: Back tees 6,419 yards, front tees 5,481 yards
• Par: 72
• Architect(s): Tom Dunn and Harry Colt
• Founded: 1898
• Course type: Heathland

Nestled between Bournemouth and Poole, just 10 minutes from the famous Sandbanks, Parkstone has often been referred to as a seaside heathland and rightly earns a spot in our best golf courses in Dorset list. Established in 1909 by Willie Park Jr (of Sunningdale fame) and later revised by James Braid, Parkstone Golf Course has been blessed by two of golf’s great architects.

The layout today remains mostly unchanged from Braid’s amendments and is a stunning design adorned by mature pines, heather gorse, and the occasional panoramic view over Poole Harbour. Like Broadstone, Parkstone is best characterised by undulating fairways framed by tall trees and deep cross bunkers – a real test of golf!

Parkstone Golf Club facts

• Length: Back tees 6,282 yards, front tees 5,576 yards
• Par: 72
• Architect: Willie Park Junior & James Braid
• Founded: 1909
• Course type: Heathland

Set within a stunning 256-acre woodland estate between the New Forest and Cranborne Chase National Landscape, Remedy Oak is one of our favourite golf courses in South England. Despite only opening in 2005, Remedy Oak is well beyond its years and blends seamlessly into its ancient oak tree setting.

The front 9 is very secluded, with the mature trees separating each hole making it feel like you’re the only group on the course. In contrast, the back 9 opens up, bringing more water into play and asking different questions of golfers… a real treat.

Remedy Oak Golf Club facts

• Length: Back tees 7,010 yards, front tees 5,395 yards
• Par: 72
• Architect(s): John Jacobs
• Founded: 2005
• Course type: Woodland

Ferndown Golf Club is another elite-level heathland golf course, which is a consistent theme with most of the layouts in Dorset. It’s a haven of heather and pines, beautifully framing the whole course, with subtle hazards and steep bunkers. The course is renowned for being maintained to the highest standards year-round, offering perfectly rolling greens, and well-manicured fairways and tee boxes – which enhances the experience.

To add to your Ferndown experience, there is an additional 9-hole layout, The Alliss Course. Regularly rated as ‘Dorset’s best 9-hole golf course’, you won’t be disappointed with this bonus track.

Ferndown Golf Club facts

• Length: Back tees: 6,577 yards, front tees: 5,647 yards
• Par: 71
• Architect(s): Harold Hilton
• Founded: 1913
• Course type: Heathland

The Isle of Purbeck Golf Club is the gem of Dorset, providing golfers with a unique seaside heathland track and panoramic views of the Jurassic Coast, including Poole Bay and the Isle of Wight. These are probably the best views you can get from any golf course in the country!

Situated near Swanage, Isle of Purbeck is idyllically located in a heathland nature reserve with a wealth of heather, gorse, and flora – which all beautifully frame the course. In addition to the picturesque views, its elevated location exposes it to prevailing winds, which adds to the challenge and uniqueness of this layout. The par-3s are particularly excellent, and each faces a different way making it difficult to judge wind and distance.

The course was originally established in 1892 by Arthur Jackson as a 9-hole course before being extended to the full 18 in the 1960s. More recently, another 9-hole was added (the Dene Course), creating an excellent 27-hole facility for golfers looking to make the most from their visit!

Isle of Purbeck Golf Club facts

• Length: Back tees: 6,295 yards, front tees: 5,582 yards
• Par: 70
• Architect(s): Arthur Jackson
• Founded: 1892
• Course type: Heathland

Situated near the Higher Hyde Heath Nature Reserve, Dorset Golf & Country Club is another beautiful 27-hole golf club in the south of England. The Lakeland and Parkland 9s make up the main 18 holes, offering long, challenging par-5s, a good variety of par-4s, and some tricky doglegs too!

The course was designed by the great Martin Hawtree, in the early 1990s, who's considered one of the best architects of the modern day. The clover-shaped bunkers are a classic Hawtree hallmark and are evident throughout, as are the native wildlife, large trees, protruding heather and rhododendrons.

Golfers looking for the full DGCC experience should make use of the award-winning hotel, log homes or cottages, which are all built to a five-star standard.

Doret Golf & Country Club facts

• Length: Back tees: 7,027 yards, front tees: 5,469 yards
• Par: 72
• Architect(s): Martin Hawtree
• Founded: 1990s
• Course type: Parkland

Located in the heart of Bournemouth, Meyrick Park Golf Club is a pristine parkland layout which dates to 1984. The great location makes it very accessible to golfers basing themselves in Bournemouth and the course provides a picturesque woodland setting with narrow treelined fairways.

Our favourite hole is the signature 14th. Here lies a distinctive par-5 with a narrow, tree-lined fairway and bunkering along the left and middle of the hole. A great hole of golf!

Meyrick Park Golf Clubs facts

• Length: Back tees: 5,802 yards, front tees: 5,411 yards
• Par: 69
• Architect(s): Tom Dunn
• Founded: 1984
• Course type: Parkland

Located just down the road from Broadstone, 20 minutes north of Bournemouth, lies another of Dorset’s exceptional golf courses in Knighton Heath. Established in 1932, this vibrant heathland course is renowned for its challenging layout and the natural beauty that surrounds it. The layout sits on high land and is best characterised by its mature, pine-flanked fairways, beautiful heather, and numerous doglegs.

At just over 6,000 yards, Knighton Heath is quite short by modern standards but no less enjoyable. It makes great use of its natural terrain, with tight tree-lined fairways, beautiful elevated greens, semi-blind tee shots, and uphill approach shots.

Knighton Heath Golf Club facts

• Length: Back tees: 6,074 yards, front tees: 5,474 yards
• Par: 70
• Architect(s): Cecil Wren
• Founded: 1932
• Course type: Heathland