Ferndown

Ferndown and nearby Parkstone are the twin pillars of heathland golf in Dorset, two courses that between them represent the very best that this corner of southern England has to offer. Where Parkstone looks out across Poole Harbour, Ferndown occupies inland heathland of a distinctly different character, its Old Course winding through pine trees and heather in a setting that rewards careful observation as much as forceful play. Harold Hilton's design uses the natural rises and hollows of the ground with considerable skill, creating holes that present clear strategic choices from the tee and demand consistent ball-striking into greens that are well-defended by their surroundings.

Hilton himself was a figure of considerable stature in British golf at the turn of the twentieth century. A two-time Open Champion and four-time Amateur Champion, he understood the game at the highest level and brought that understanding to his design work. Ferndown is the result: a course that challenges without being unfair, that flows naturally through its landscape and that improves on repeated play as its subtleties become apparent. The Presidents Course alongside the Old provides additional variety and ensures the club has something to offer golfers of all levels.

The Dorset heathland context places Ferndown within a broader tradition of southern English golf that is less celebrated than its Surrey or Hampshire equivalents but no less rewarding. For golfers exploring the area, the combination of Ferndown and Parkstone within a short drive of each other provides a compelling two-course itinerary that demonstrates the quality and variety of heathland golf available in this part of England. Ferndown, for its part, delivers a round of considerable character in a setting that golf has occupied gracefully for well over a century.