About the course
Broadstone Golf Club lies on heathland on the northern edge of Poole in Dorset, beside the village that gives it its name. Pine, heather, gorse and rhododendron cover the ground between the fairways, and much of the course sits within a Site of Special Scientific Interest, which means the heath is managed as much for its wildlife as for golf.
The club was founded in 1898 by Lord Wimborne, and Tom Dunn laid out the original course. It was opened on 16 November 1898 with an exhibition in which Arthur Balfour, later Prime Minister, partnered J.H. Taylor to beat John Penn and James Braid. Herbert Fowler reworked many of the bunkers in the following decade, and between 1914 and 1922 Harry Colt carried out the most important redesign, creating new holes from the 5th tee to the 16th green and turning the whole course into true heathland. The members bought the club in 1971, and a new clubhouse opened in 1985.
Broadstone is short by modern standards, at around 6,350 yards, about 5,800 metres, but it asks for precise shot-making from start to finish. Fairways are framed by heather, gorse and pines, so a drive that misses the short grass usually costs at least a shot. Later changes have added a lake, created in 1988, and a lengthened 9th, extended in 1992 to become a par 5.
Why we recommend it
Broadstone is the most dramatic of the Bournemouth heathland courses, rolling over hilly ground covered in heather, so much so that Bernard Darwin called it the ‘Gleneagles of the South’. The back nine climbs to high ground with wide views of the Purbeck Hills and Poole Harbour. The changes in elevation make for an energetic walk and plenty of interesting shots. It pairs naturally with Parkstone and Ferndown for a few days of heathland golf in Dorset.
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Video
| Ranking England | 36 |
| Architect | Tom Dunn |
| Year of foundation | 1898 |
| Par Course | 72 |
| Number of holes | 18 |