Published: 01 June 2026
The county of Dorset is well placed to attend the glorious game of golf. It has all the most important natural attributes within its landscape that have inspired course architects, professional players and the keenest of amateurs in this part of England for well over a century.
The sport arrived here early at the end of the 1800s and was rapidly adopted by a growing middle class that had evolved in the area. Dorset’s coastline and heathland delivered the rugged terrain and inspiration that was an incredibly important element to the golden age of English golf course design in the 20th century. It has been a well-favoured and much-respected destination for aficionados ever since, with a collection of the best courses in the UK.
Here is a top five to try for the best golf courses in Dorset.
1. Remedy Oak
Horton
Remedy Oak is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Although that makes it a newcomer for the golfing institutions of the county, it has very quickly cemented a stellar reputation as one of the finest inland courses in southern England.
The Ryder Cup captain and course designer, John Jacobs, was keen to draw on the region’s topography of over 200 acres of ancient woodland when he produced this masterpiece. It traverses woodland, heather, wild grasses and some remarkable water features across a par-72 course of variety and strategic play. The wonderful name comes from a local story that links a tree right near the club that was regarded for its healing properties in the time of King Edward VI. With over 7000 yards of this challenging terrain to move through, even the best players might be in need of a little piece of magic to help them too.
Remedy Oak is regularly host to Open Championship qualifying events and is a strong showing amongst the top courses in all of England, according to many publications. This is a private, premium and reassuringly modern golf club that has everything one needs for repeated play and practice for progress in one’s game.
Remedy Oak Golf Club is a great choice for:
- Players looking for modern championship standards
- Those who relish a woodland and water challenge
- A great inland course with connectivity to the south coast of England
2. Broadstone Golf Club
Poole
The heathland countryside that dominates the landscape just north of Poole and Bournemouth is an inland course dream. Since the end of the 19th century, Broadstone Golf Club has utilised this beautiful and varied scenery for players who want substance and significance in their golf.
That significance does not come much greater than the name of Harry Colt. The legendary golf course architect is one of the most influential figures of all time for the game and is responsible for a major refinement to the original layout. His signature styles of natural routing and complex greens are evident throughout Broadstone on a par 72 of around 6500 yards. With the free-draining soil of heathland underfoot, there is a pleasing playability here all year round, with a neat zip to the pace during the drier months in particular.
Broadstone Golf Club is an opportunity to experience the challenges of the golden age of English golf with contemporary facilities to support it. It rewards intelligence and bravery in equal measure for steady hands.
Broadstone Golf Club is a great choice for:
- Players with low to mid handicaps
- Golf course architecture enthusiasts
- Players with games that favour firm and fast conditions
3. Parkstone Golf Club
Poole
There is a good argument to be made for Parkstone Golf Club having everything in its locker for a modern golfer. The elevated heathland above Poole Harbour provides the durable terrain and wonderful routing with a dramatic coastal view that can take one’s breath away. Its regular status amongst the very best courses in the country certainly comes as no surprise to anybody fortunate enough to have teed off here.
Its history dates back to 1909 with the classic heathland design principles that came to define great golfing on the south coast for most of the 20th century. The land itself is always the star attraction for another par 72, where the fairways are framed by stunning heather and gorse. The tees are raised for drama and sightlines that make the most of the views and also offer a clue to the subtle undulations that can make for tricky approaches. With a club that is suitably traditional without being too formal or restrictive, there is a fantastic foundation for a golfing community that has developed the game in the county for over a hundred years. Parkstone offers panoramic views and pedigree playing.
Parkstone Golf Club is a great choice for:
- Players looking to test themselves on a heathland course
- Players looking for elevation and wind challenges
- A seriously scenic round of golf
4. Ferndown Golf Club
Bournemouth
There are a total of 27 holes at Ferndown that can be combined in a number of configurations across this impressive heathland location. However, it is widely accepted that the modern Allis 9-hole course is very much a complementary element to the Old Course that is firmly amongst the elite of Dorset golfing.
It was originally designed by the esteemed course architect Herbert Fowler with an emphasis on natural movement and subtle contouring. This is a par-71 delight of strategic bunkering and well-integrated greens that looks as though it belongs here almost as much as the ancient scenery.
Ferndown has long been recognised amongst the very best of amateur courses for the county. Its status as the host of The English Amateur Championships and The English Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship is evidence of how respected it is in this regard. It may not have the headline-grabbing views or locations of other courses in the guide, but there is a professional and traditional atmosphere here for players that are serious about progression and development.
Ferndown Golf Club is a great choice for:
- Players with a mid-handicap
- Amateurs who prioritise competition
- A strategic challenge that rewards re-playing
5. Isle of Purbeck Golf Club
Swanage Bay
This is one of the oldest golf clubs in Dorset, with its initial creation dating back to 1892. Although there has undoubtedly been a raft of development and changes in the game since then, this course remains faithful to its original identity as a visually dramatic and incredibly playable course.
Despite the name, this course actually sits in an elevated position above Swanage Bay overlooking the English Channel, Ballard Down and Old Harry Rocks. It offers a par 70 of around 6200 yards when playing from the back tees. The coastal exposure that is responsible for such incredible visuals is also the greatest hazard here, with winds whipping up that can alter the shape of a round in an instant. This means that club selection is a priority at all times, with the natural elements deciding when to favour power or precision.
The Isle of Purbeck course is pure theatre for keen golfers. A cast of thousands has taken to this stage in the past with a wide variety of results and reviews connected to their performance upon it.
The Isle of Purbeck Golf Club is a great choice for:
- A wild and windy round of challenges
- Players who value stunning scenery
- Mid-handicap and developing amateurs
Dorset loves golf. The landscape, the community and the courses of this county provide a unique ecosystem for the game that has gently developed here for over 120 years. Enjoying a round at any of the best golf courses in Dorset is a celebration to savour, no matter what the scorecard eventually says.
