Broadstone Golf Club Key Information
A really fine example of heathland golf architecture across a diverse, heavily undulating landscape. It should perhaps have more notoriety as one of Harry Colt’s most inspirational redesigns.
It is perhaps the par 3s throughout that steal the show, with the long 15th arguably the most challenging. When your final putt drops on 18, your heart will sink with the realisation that your round is over, because when you’ve played it once, Broadstone is a course you’ll be eager to return to again and again.
REASONS TO PLAY BROADSTONE
- It's a fine example of a Harry Colt classic playing over rolling heathland terrain
- Some of Frank Pont’s dramatic bunkering on a number of holes has brought back more of the origjnal Colt flavour
- Combining it with games at neighbouring Ferndown and Parkstone makes for a superb short break
RANKINGS
UK & Ireland Top 100 Golf Courses 2023/24 - 96
Every golfer will have his or her own view when it comes to a personal favourite among Bournemouth’s Big Three. All three reside in our Top 100 golf courses in the UK and Ireland rankings but whatever your personal preference, there’s no denying that the wonderful heathland layout at Broadstone ventures through considerably more elevation changes than its Parkstone and Ferndown neighbours.
The original course was created in 1898 by Tom Dunn before a Harry Colt redesign in 1914, which introduced a number of new holes to take fuller advantage of its stunning location on expansive heathland. In recent years, architect Frank Pont has been entrusted to take the course back closer to its Colt days with some eye-catchingly dramatic bunkering.
Having twice traversed the same stream on the 1st (if all has gone well), the elevation changes start on the 2nd, with the course playing up to a very steep-fronted green before coming back down immediately on the 3rd, where there is water to think about.
Pont’s work is in evidence on the gorgeous par-3 6th that plays up to another steep-fronted green with a copse of pines beyond, and again on the 8th just after the excellent, not-quite-halfway hut. In between lies the fearsome long par-4 7th, and just as the jury is out as to which is the finest of the three neighbouring courses all vying for best golf course in Dorset honours, so too is it for this ‘Marmite’ hole.
Whatever your thoughts, it is a strategically challenging par 4 thoroughly deserving of its SI 1 status, where the semi-blind drive is followed by a daunting or thrilling second (depending on your point of view!) across shallow valleys, heather and sand. Whether you like it or not, visually it is stunning.
The short par-4 14th provides yet another visual treat, playing from a highly elevated tee down and then up to a fairway surrounded by bunkers, but it is perhaps the par 3s throughout that steal the show, with the long 15th arguably the most challenging.
When your final putt drops on 18, your heart will sink with the realisation that your round is over, because when you’ve played it once, Broadstone is a course you’ll be eager to return to again and again.
What The Top 100 Panel Said
Broadstone is a wonderfully challenging, well-balanced, undulating golf course that offers the perfect combination of being testing but also scorable if you’re on your game. The layout offers a brilliant mixture of holes in terms of shape, length, and style that often present you with elevated tee shots or natural carries from tee box to fairway or green.
A challenging course from start to finish with significant elevation change on many holes. This is rugged terrain, so away from the cut-and-prepared you will get some wild lies. HS Colt at his most unforgiving, with the usual excellent par 3s and a diverse set of challenging par 4s.
Broadstone Golf Club Location
Broadstone Golf Club Green Fees
Contact the club via the golf bookings email address
Best Courses Near Broadstone
Best Places To Stay Near Broadstone
Heatherdene House - Book now at Booking.com
This highly rated B&B is less than a mile from the golf club and just 6.2 miles from Poole Harbour. Heatherdene House offers good accommodation with free WiFi, free private parking, various breakfast options and a garden in which you are more than welcome to relax.
Bournemouth Highcliff Marriott Hotel - Book now at Booking.com
For the full hotel experience, the Highcliff Marriott Hotel enjoys a dramatic clifftop location just a ten-minute walk from the centre of Bournemouth. Guests enjoy free WiFi in all public areas. The hotel boasts a striking terrace overlooking Bournemouth Bay and lies ten miles from Broadstone Golf Club.
Broadstone Gallery
BROADSTONE HISTORICAL TOP 100 RANKING UK&I
- 2023/24 - 96
- 2021/22 - 93
- 2019/20 - 94
- 2017/18 - 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Harry Colt design the course at Broadstone?
The course - initially called The Broadstone Links at The Dorset Golf Club - was originally laid out by Tom Dunn, the professional at nearby Meyrick Park in Bournemouth, who was the most prolific designer of his time. Colt's contribution came in 1914, when he was tasked with laying out new holes in the heathland from the present 5th tee to the 16th green, thus cutting out the parkland holes to make the course entirely heathland.
What is the most photographed hole at Broadstone?
Several photographers have taken many fine images of the course here, including Golf Monthly staff photographer, Kevin Murray. The mid-length par-3 6th is one of the prettiest holes, playing 166 yards uphill from the tips to a well-bunkered, steep-fronted green with a stand of pines behind. In the right light it is a real visual treat.
