Bournemouth Golf Tour: My experience

One of our marketing team was fortunate enough to visit Bournemouth to play some of the country’s finest heathland courses. Here is a day-by-day breakdown of his trip to England’s most popular golf tour destination.

This article follows the journey of a fantastic 3-night & 4-round golf break at the start of August 2023.

Golf courses featured:

• Ferndown Golf Club
• Broadstone Golf Club
• Isle of Purbeck
• Crane Valley Golf Club

The weather was great when we arrived at Bournemouth, making for an ideal trip start! The first place we went was the prestigious heathland course in the Southwest, Ferndown Golf Club. Renowned for its traditional design, Ferndown Old Golf Course did not disappoint.

The tree-lined fairways and immaculately kept greens made for a challenging but rewarding experience. The thoughtfully placed bunkers, the lovely heathland scenery, and the subtle hazards are sure to excite players of all skill levels. I’ve never been to Augusta National, and obviously, Augusta is a level above, but I think it has similarities, which is a massive compliment.

There are two courses here, the Alliss Course (9 holes) and the Old Course (18 holes). I can see why Ferndown is ranked 49th in England's Top 100 Golf Courses.

Evening – Travel & check-in

After a day at Ferndown, we checked into the Hilton Bournemouth. The central location provided a perfect base for exploring the town. We visited a sports bar across the road for a few to many drinks before heading back to the hotel.

We had a much-needed lie-in before heading to Broadstone Golf Club, in the heart of the Dorset countryside. This is one of the best golf courses in South England, the layout really is a joy to play!

A standout for me was the 7th hole, with its unique traffic light system before teeing off – something I'd never seen before, which I found very innovative. This hole effectively features two blind shots: the tee shot is blind, and depending on where your drive lands, the second shot can be as well.

Evening – Exploring the town

The evening was spent getting dinner at Lola’s (which we booked in advance) before wandering through Bournemouth's lively streets. Bournemouth town centre is packed full of bars, restaurants and night clubs, so you’ll never be short of things to do. It is the perfect golf & nightlife destination!

Our journey continued with a visit to the Isle of Purbeck Golf Club, which is a 50-minute drive southwest of Bournemouth and well-worth the journey. This cliff-top heathland course offered breathtaking views of Poole Harbour and Brownsea Island. The unique layout and the incredible 5th tee view made it a visually stunning destination.

The subtle links elements added to the course’s charm, making it a standout among Bournemouth’s golfing options. This was my favourite course on the trip.

Evening – Sandbanks

After a beautiful morning of questionable golf, we headed to Sandbanks, a beautiful peninsula known for its sandy beaches and luxurious properties. It made for a relaxing break from the golf, allowing us to enjoy in the natural beauty of the South Coast. We decided on a quiet night to end the trip as we were still recovering from our first night!

Our final day began at Crane Valley Golf Club, a parkland layout which made a nice change to the heathland tracks we’d been playing. This well-maintained course, with its challenging fairways and greens, provided a fitting end to our golf tour of Bournemouth. The diverse layout tested our skills, leaving us with memorable experiences and a deep appreciation for the region's golfing offerings.

Evening – Departure

After a morning at Crane Valley, we packed up and prepared for our journey home. The trip had been a blend of world-class golf, stunning views and great nightlife.

An incredible trip. Each course—Ferndown, Broadstone, Isle of Purbeck, and Crane Valley—offered unique challenges, and the accommodation and nightlife is perfect for a UK getaway. Very few areas in the UK can rival Bournemouth for its quality, variety, and value. The breathtaking views at Isle of Purbeck were my highlight!

It's easy to understand why Bournemouth is such a well-liked golfing destination—I heartily recommend it.