Golf in Dorset
Clifftop downland above the Jurassic Coast, heathland in the New Forest fringe and a county whose golf deserves considerably more attention than it receives.
Dorset’s golf is defined by its landscape — and in a county that contains some of the most extraordinary coastal scenery in England, that is a significant statement. Purbeck Golf Club occupies chalk downland above Swanage with views across to Old Harry Rocks that no course architect could design; they are simply where the course happens to sit. East Dorset, by contrast, is heathland golf on sandy soil that drains year-round and delivers quality at a price that the county’s profile does not yet justify.
The county is also, usefully, placed within striking distance of both the New Forest and the Bournemouth coastline — which means the Stay · Play · Recover logic is straightforward to apply. A golf break combining Purbeck and East Dorset with the Studland Beach coastal walk and recovery at a Bournemouth spa hotel represents the kind of complete experience that the TGG framework exists to facilitate.
The Courses
Purbeck Golf Club
Purbeck Golf Club sits on chalk downland above the Isle of Purbeck, with views across Swanage Bay, Old Harry Rocks and the Jurassic Coast that are among the most extraordinary of any course in the South of England. The open, wind-influenced downland turf plays entirely differently from day to day — a course worth returning to for precisely that reason. The Jurassic Coast designation means the surrounding landscape is managed to an exceptional standard, giving rounds here a quality of setting that money alone cannot replicate.
East Dorset Golf Club
East Dorset is one of the South’s most underrated 36-hole venues — the Lakeland Course in particular delivers genuine heathland quality at a green fee that many comparable venues in Surrey or Hampshire no longer offer. The sandy subsoil means both courses drain exceptionally well year-round, and the August heather bloom across the fairway margins is one of the finest seasonal spectacles in Dorset golf.
Dudsbury Golf Club
Dudsbury Golf Club is Dorset’s most established parkland venue — a mature, well-conditioned layout on the edge of Ferndown that has hosted county championships and regional events. The River Stour runs through several holes, providing both visual character and strategic challenge. Well-positioned for those basing themselves in Bournemouth or Christchurch and looking for a parkland contrast to the downland and heathland experience of Purbeck and East Dorset.
Ferndown Golf Club
Ferndown is one of the most respected clubs in Dorset — a heathland venue of real quality that has consistently attracted county and regional events. The Old Course in particular has a character that develops with familiarity: several holes that appear straightforward on first impression reveal their complexity on the second or third visit. Worth including on any serious Dorset golf itinerary.
Stay · Play · Recover
The Captain’s Club Hotel, Christchurch
A stylish boutique hotel on the River Stour in Christchurch — well-positioned for East Dorset, Purbeck and the New Forest golf circuit, with an excellent spa and contemporary restaurant. The natural recovery base after a Dorset golf break.
Studland Bay House
A well-regarded hotel directly below Purbeck Golf Club, overlooking Studland Bay and within walking distance of the beach. The ideal base for those combining Purbeck golf with the Jurassic Coast coastal walk and Swanage’s independent restaurants.
Practical Information
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best golf course in Dorset?
Purbeck Golf Club offers the most spectacular setting — downland golf above the Jurassic Coast with views across Swanage Bay that no other Dorset course can match. For course quality and conditioning combined with accessibility, East Dorset’s Lakeland Course is the most consistently rewarding round in the county.
Can you play golf near the Jurassic Coast?
Purbeck Golf Club sits directly above the Jurassic Coast on chalk downland outside Studland — Old Harry Rocks and Swanage Bay are visible from several holes. The Jurassic Coast Walk from Studland to Swanage (or Old Harry Rocks) is an outstanding recovery activity after the round.
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