Isle Of Purbeck Golf Club

From the back tees the course tips out at just over 6,200 yards, but don't let that fool you. Between the elevation changes, sloping fairways and fast-running coastal wind, it's a proper test of control and course management rather than a driver-fest. The greens have plenty of movement, the bunkering is well placed and misses can finish a long way from where they first land.

The par 3s are the headline act. Each one asks a different question and the answer changes with the breeze, so you'll earn your 2s and 3s rather than collecting them. If you're trying to score, it's a day for picking smart targets, shaping the odd shot and accepting that "middle of the green" is sometimes the best play. I've played a lot of clifftop courses and the variety here, hole to hole, is what keeps you engaged all the way round.

A couple of handy first-timer notes. On the 9th, local knowledge is to favour the left side of the fairway to keep the out-of-bounds right out of the conversation. Coming home at 18, pay attention to the prevailing wind as you choose your club, because it can be deceptively quick into (or down) the breeze and the green is brisker than it first appears. The sloping fairways throughout mean you'll want to think about where your ball is going to finish, not just where it lands, especially if the ground is firm.

Off the course, the clubhouse is well worth a visit for a post-round pint and a bite to eat, with those big views still in play from the terrace. There's also a pro shop for essentials and souvenirs, plus practice facilities including a driving range, putting green and chipping area. Buggies, clubs and trolleys are available for hire, which is no bad thing when you're walking up and down a clifftop layout.