Broadstone Golf Club sits on heathland just east of Bournemouth and it's been putting golfers through their paces since 1898. Founded by Lord Wimborne as the Dorset Golf Club, the course was originally laid out by Tom Dunn on land beside the old Somerset and Dorset railway line.
The big moment in Broadstone's story came in 1914 when Harry S. Colt arrived to revise Dunn's routing. Colt's touch is still the headline today: strategic angles, clever bunkering and greens that ask you to think rather than simply hit it hard.
Out on the course you'll find a proper blend of heath and parkland, with pine, gorse and heather shaping the look and feel of each hole. It's not a brute, but it is exacting. Miss too many fairways and you'll spend the day negotiating sandy lies, awkward stances and recovery shots that quickly turn a good card into a scramble. If the wind gets up across the more open stretches, you'll need to flight the ball and pick smart targets.
When you're done, the modern clubhouse is an easy place to unwind and replay the round. Broadstone is also a strong addition to a golf tour of the Bournemouth area if you want variety without lots of driving.
Who is this for? Golfers staying in or around Bournemouth who want a classic heathland test without travelling far, plus groups building a Dorset itinerary with a mix of styles.
Who is it best for? Golfers who enjoy strategic golf and want to see Colt's design principles up close. Confident mid-handicappers will get the most out of it, but higher handicappers will still enjoy the day if they're happy to play sensibly and take what the course gives you.
