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English Golf Courses - Holiday Pages

Golf in Bournemouth

Bournemouth has lots going for it, a milder than average climate, a packed events calendar and seven miles of sandy beaches to name but a few. It's also a place which boasts some excellent golf courses. There are nearly 50 courses in and around the south coast resort and all provide a challenge for even the most gifted player.

One of the most popular courses in the area is Ferndown, which boasts two championship layouts in a spectacular wooded heathland. The views across to the Isle of Wight are a particular highlight here . . . but it is the pine trees that border its undulating fairways that will probably stick most in the mind!

Nearby is Ferndown Forest, a flat parkland offering with mature oak trees, attractive water features and tight fairways. Another heathland course worthy of a visit is Parkstone Golf Club, which overlooks Poole Harbour. Designed by Willie Park in 1910, the course sits on sandy soil and, due to draining so well, it is famed for being in great condition all year round. Incidentally, Peter Alliss was the club professional at Parkstone between 1957 and 1970 before he became better known as the BBC's 'Voice of Golf'.

Another course in the Poole area worth a visit is Knighton Heath, while the same goes for Meyrick Park and Queens Park. Meyrick is one of the best municipal courses in the area and, having been founded in 1890, is also one of the oldest. A short drive from Bournemouth is Canford Manga, where three courses - the Riverside, Parkland and Knighton - offer a varied test of golf. Considering its location, test and natural all-round scenery, green fees here are very affordable and, if you're struggling slightly with your game, then the adjoining Golf Academy is just the place for you.

One of the most popular tracts in the Bournemouth area, without doubt, is Broadstone Golf Club, venue for numerous county and national tournaments over the years. Isle of Purbeck Golf Club, meanwhile, is situated on the side of the Purbeck Hills and enjoys spectacular views across Poole Harbour, Brownsea Island and the Isle of Wight. Here, in addition to the chamopionship-standard Purbeck Courses, there is also a nine-holer more suited to the beginners.

The clubhouse also has an excellent restaurant and bar that opens its doors to all visitors, making it the ideal place for those who like to sit back, relax and ponder the day's events. Wareham Golf Club is another place well worth a visit, as is Hamptworth, one of the biggest courses in the area. Set in 150 acres of ancient woodland on the edge of the New Forest and split by the River Blackwater, this course has hosted a number of professional events in recent years.

So, if you're looking to play some top-class golf courses in a decent climate but want to stay in Britain, then Bournemouth sounds just the place for you.