Golf in Dorset
Dorset has an exceptional collection of heathland golf courses including Parkstone, Broadstone, and Ferndown.
Find golf lessons and experience days across this outstanding corner of England.
About Golf in Dorset
Dorset sits at the western end of England's southern heathland belt, and its golf courses share the sandy, free-draining character that makes this part of the country so special. Parkstone, Broadstone, Ferndown, and Remedy Oak form a compact cluster of outstanding courses that would be celebrated anywhere in England. That they sit within 20 minutes of the Jurassic Coast and Bournemouth's beaches makes Dorset one of the more complete golf destinations in the country.
Dorset's Top UK Golf Courses
Parkstone Golf Club — Rank #73
Parkstone, situated between Bournemouth and Poole, is Dorset's highest-ranked course and one of the finest on the south coast. Its heathland fairways wind through pine and heather on an undulating estate with views across Poole Harbour. The conditioning is consistently outstanding, and the variety of the routing — no two holes feel the same — gives it a quality that rewards every return visit.
Broadstone Golf Club — Rank #84
Broadstone's elevated heathland plateau makes it feel almost like links golf inland. The turf runs firm, the views of the Purbeck Hills are constant, and the course's history — shaped by Tom Dunn, Herbert Fowler, and Harry Colt over several decades — shows in the natural intelligence of the design.
Ferndown Golf Club — Rank #81
Ferndown, founded in 1912, is where Peter Alliss grew up and learned the game under his father Percy, the club professional. That heritage is woven into the fabric of the course — traditional in character, beautifully maintained, and as enjoyable now as it was when Alliss first walked the fairways as a boy.
Golf Lessons in Dorset
Beginner Coaching
Several Dorset clubs and public facilities offer beginner group sessions from £25–£40. Queens Park Golf Course in Bournemouth, with its central location and long heritage, is a welcoming starting point. Dudsbury Golf Club and several pay-and-play venues in the Poole area also cater for newcomers.
Private PGA Coaching
Private PGA coaching across Dorset runs £55–£90 per session. Clubs like Ferndown and Dudsbury have well-equipped teaching facilities, and the area has a strong pool of experienced professionals.
Playing Lessons
A playing lesson on Parkstone or Ferndown is one of the most enjoyable coaching formats in the south of England. Walking the heathland fairways with a professional coach — learning to read firm turf, manage gorse, and plan around natural hazards — produces real course management skills that stay with you.
Experience Days
Dorset experience days typically start at around £120 for a lesson plus round at a county club, rising to £250+ for packages at Parkstone or Remedy Oak.
Budget Guide
| Budget | What You Get |
|---|---|
| Under £50 | Group lesson or round at Queens Park or a local club |
| £50–£100 | Private lesson or 18 holes at a quality Dorset heathland |
| £100–£200 | Experience day with lesson, round, and lunch |
| £200+ | Premium day at Parkstone, Broadstone, or Remedy Oak |
Top Clubs Near Dorset
Parkstone Golf Club
Poole, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
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See also: golf in Bournemouth, best golf experience days UK, links golf guide UK.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Golf Courses Near Dorset
Explore top-rated courses within easy reach of Dorset.
Nearest Golf Clubs
Wolfedale Golf Club
Charminster Dorchester, Dorset