Bournemouth Golf Weekender

We recently headed to Bournemouth to play the courses, check the hotels and work out what really suits a golf trip in this part of the world. If you are the one sorting the next society break, captain's away day or long weekend with the lads, this is the golf weekender guide to get it right without the usual faff.

The Bournemouth area does not always get the credit it deserves on the English golf map, but it should. Within easy reach of a lively town centre, you have heathland, parkland and coastal golf that each feel genuinely distinct. Three very different courses, two accommodation options and a stretch of English golf country that kept surprising us at every turn. Here is the honest picture.

What makes this part of Dorset particularly well suited to a golf break is the variety on offer. Isle of Purbeck gives you exposed coastal heathland with sea views that stop you mid-swing. Remedy Oak is a beautifully conditioned parkland course with enough variety to suit a mixed-ability group. Broadstone is the one for golfers who want a serious test, a Top 50 English course with a Harry Colt pedigree that plays every bit as well as its reputation suggests. Add a central Bournemouth base with good food, bars and nightlife within walking distance, and you have a trip that works whether your group is all about the golf or a mix of both.

We played the courses, stayed in both hotels and came back with a clear view on what suits which type of group.

Who Is This For? This Bournemouth golf break is ideal for societies, club trips and mixed-ability groups who want three very different courses within easy reach of a lively town-centre base. It suits groups who want to combine serious golf with good evenings out, and it works equally well for a long weekend or a midweek escape.

Type: Heathland with a links feel
Par / Length: 70 | 6295 yards
Buggies: Fleet of around 15, pre-book advised
Signature hole: 5th, dogleg right with bay views

It is not a flashy arrival, but with heather, sea views and exposed turf stretching out in every direction, it hardly needs to be. Flowering heather lines the approach, the coastline sits on the horizon and a traditional clubhouse anchors the scene. The pro shop is compact and the merchandise is limited, but nobody comes to Isle of Purbeck for the retail. They come for what is outside.

The atmosphere is relaxed and unpretentious. This is a course that lets the landscape do the work, and it does it well. If your group appreciates a venue that feels rooted in its surroundings rather than polished for show, Isle of Purbeck will land well from the moment you pull in.

Isle of Purbeck is a genuine test, and the wind is a significant part of that. Out here it is rarely still, and the course offers no shelter whatsoever. Higher handicappers should go in with realistic expectations, but that is not a reason to avoid it. The challenge is part of the appeal, and the setting makes every hole feel like it matters.

The course plays firm and fast in good conditions, and the linksy character comes through in the way the ball moves on the ground. Club selection is rarely straightforward, and the wind adds a layer of decision-making that keeps experienced golfers fully engaged throughout. For mid-to-low handicappers who want something that genuinely tests them, this is a very strong option.

Signature Hole
The 5th is the postcard hole. A dogleg right with sweeping views of the bay, it is the kind of tee shot you remember long after the card is signed. The walk up to the tee alone is worth it regardless of what you score. The par 3 11th was also flagged by the team as a standout, a hole that demands proper commitment and punishes anything short or offline.

Practical Notes
Buggies are available, with a fleet of around 15 on site with pre-booking strongly advised given the limited numbers. There are no caddie options. Push and electric trolley hire is available on site. The driving range is short and compact, with a putting green alongside. Range balls carry an additional cost. The pro shop is limited in its selection. Parking is straightforward with a generously sized car park.

19th Hole
The clubhouse delivers where it counts. Post-round, this is exactly where you want to be. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame panoramic views of the course and coastline, and the food menu covers the classics well: sandwiches, burgers and similar, alongside a handful of beer options. It is a proper post-round setting, pint in hand with the coast laid out in front of you, and it more than makes up for the modest pro shop on the way in.

Type: Parkland
Par / length: 72 | 7010 yards
Buggies: Fleet of around 25, pre-book advised
Signature hole: 18th hole - 365 yard par 4

The entrance alone sets Remedy Oak apart. A long, tree-lined drive from the gates to the clubhouse builds genuine anticipation, and the team noted the speed bumps are worth watching on the way in. Once you arrive, the classic-style clubhouse overlooks both the 9th and 18th greens, giving spectators a front-row seat for any drama on the closing holes. It is the kind of arrival that tells you the course takes itself seriously, and the golf backs that up.

The atmosphere is welcoming without being stuffy. Visitors are made to feel at home and the setup feels well organised for groups. If you are bringing a society or a club trip and want somewhere that runs smoothly from arrival to the 19th hole, Remedy Oak has clearly done this before.

The course is a challenging yet accessible and the conditions throughout our visit were excellent. The team found the greens in superb condition, rolling true and at a pace that rewards proper reading. Each hole feels nicely separated from the next, so the round has that secluded, big-course feel from start to finish. There is no sense of being on top of other groups, which makes a real difference on a busy day.

The course offers a strong variety of par 3s and par 5s, and there are two drivable par 4s that give every group a genuine go-or-lay-up decision to wrestle with. One of those plays over water, which adds a welcome edge to the risk-reward calculation.

For mixed-ability groups, Remedy Oak is the most accessible of the three courses in this guide. The variety of tee options and the balance of risk and reward across the card means higher handicappers can enjoy it without feeling out of their depth, while stronger players will find enough to keep them honest throughout.

Signature Hole
The 18th is the showstopper. A water carry towards the clubhouse with the terrace watching on, it is exactly the kind of finishing hole that gets a group talking over the first pint.

Practical Notes
Complimentary range balls are included for all visitors, a nice touch that not every course offers and one that makes a difference for groups wanting a proper warm-up. Two practice greens are available, one of which includes a practice bunker. The buggy fleet is solid at around 25 units, but pre-booking is always recommended. Trolley and electric trolley hire are both available. No caddies are on offer.

The 19th Hole
The clubhouse terrace overlooking the 9th and 18th greens is a genuinely great place to settle in after the round. There is a standalone restaurant on site rather than a standard halfway-house menu, which means the food offering is more substantial than most. For groups who want a proper sit-down meal rather than a quick sandwich, this is a strong option and worth factoring into the day's plan.

Type: Heathland with parkland opening & closing holes
Par / length: 70 | 6419 yards
Buggies: Small fleet usually reserved for members
Signature hole: 7th hole - 422 yard par 4

A short drive through a residential street and you are suddenly at Broadstone, a classic two-storey clubhouse greeting you with views of the 1st and 18th holes. The feel is traditional and exclusive, the kind of members' club that commands a certain respect from the moment you walk in. Visitors are well looked after from the outset, with a complimentary hot drink voucher for the halfway house and a small welcome bag of tees, a ball marker and a pencil waiting on arrival. It is a small touch, but it sets the right tone.

The atmosphere is friendly rather than formal. The team found the clubhouse bar welcoming, and the upstairs setting with views across the course makes it a strong spot for a post-round debrief. For golfers who appreciate a course with genuine history and character, Broadstone delivers both.

Three members of the team played Broadstone and the consensus was clear: for our team, this was one of the standout courses in the Bournemouth area, and it is a proper test. Originally designed by Tom Dunn and redesigned by Harry Colt in 1914, the course is ranked in the Top 50 in England and plays every bit as well as that ranking suggests.

You ease in through a more parkland-style start, then Broadstone really comes alive once the heathland takes over. The back nine is the stretch most golfers will remember, and for good reason. The run from the 12th to the 16th was singled out by the team as phenomenal, with each hole offering a genuinely different test of shape, distance control and course management.

Plenty of heather is in play throughout, and the greens were noted as very quick. Broadstone is best suited to more experienced golfers. Higher handicappers can still enjoy it, but go in knowing the course will ask questions of every part of your game.

Signature Hole
The 7th is the signature hole. A par 4 that one of our reviewers described as potentially the hardest par 4 in Dorset, it plays a blind tee shot that works around into a huge valley, which must then be carried to reach the green. Know the hole before you play it.

Practical Notes
Buggies are limited and generally reserved for members, so do not assume availability and check ahead if this is essential for your group. Trolley hire is available. Practice facilities include a driving range (range balls not included), a short game area, a chipping area, a putting green and nets.

The 19th Hole
The bar sits upstairs in the clubhouse with views that stretch across the course and beyond. The atmosphere is friendly with a traditional members' club feel, good beer options and a welcoming environment after the round. The venue is around 30 minutes from the centre of Bournemouth.

Both the hotels we stayed at sit next door to each other in central Bournemouth and the choice between them largely comes down to budget and whether your group includes non-golfers. Either way, the central location is a genuine asset. You can walk to bars and restaurants in minutes, which takes taxis and logistics out of the equation after the round.

For our first night, the Hilton Bournemouth kept arrival logistics simple. It is the stronger all-rounder, especially for mixed groups. Rooms are modern, spacious enough for golf bags, and feature a nod to former owner Ted Baker. Twin rooms offer two comfortable single beds, and while deluxe upgrades exist, standard rooms are already excellent.

Dinner is served at the à la carte Schpoons & Forx, where guests receive a 20% discount—dropping pints to roughly £5. The breakfast buffet includes an open kitchen for custom orders, timed perfectly for early tee times. Guests also get complimentary access to the Elemis spa and indoor pool, making it an easier sell if your group includes non-golfers.

For evenings out, The Sun pub opposite offers live music and quizzes, while Bournemouth’s wider bar scene is a short walk away. Note that the central location means street parking only; groups with multiple cars should plan accordingly, though it is a non-issue for train travellers.

The neighbouring Hampton by Hilton is the better-value alternative, featuring a fun seaside aesthetic. Rooms—singles with a double bed, twins with two doubles—are simple yet functional, with enough space for gear, though there is no dedicated drying room.

While the Hampton lacks an on-site dinner service, guests can use the Hilton’s restaurant with the same 20% discount. The buffet breakfast is a highlight, specifically the waffle maker. Guests can access the Hilton’s spa facilities for a small surcharge.

If your priority is keeping costs down to boost the budget for green fees, the Hampton is ideal. It is straightforward rather than luxurious, which often suits a golfing weekend perfectly. However, for groups with non-golfers, the slight extra cost of the Hilton is well worth it.

Best for scenery and coastal drama: Isle of Purbeck
Best for parkland variety and course conditions: Remedy Oak
Best for the serious golfer: Broadstone
Best accommodation for mixed groups: Hilton Bournemouth
Best accommodation for golfers on a budget: Hampton by Hilton Bournemouth

If you want a golf trip with real variety, Bournemouth is a perfect option. Broadstone gives you pedigree, Purbeck brings the views and the wind and Remedy Oak is the crowd-pleaser that makes the itinerary work for almost any group.

Choose Isle of Purbeck for the views and the wind-in-your-face challenge, best suited to mid-to-low handicappers who want something that genuinely tests them. Pick Remedy Oak for the best all-round fit across a mixed group, where the variety, conditions and accessible layout make it the easiest course to recommend regardless of ability. Go to Broadstone if your trip is built around playing a top-class test, a Top 50 English course with a Harry Colt pedigree and a back nine that will stay with you long after the round.

For a Bournemouth golf break, this is a brilliant mix. Isle of Purbeck gives you the sea views and the exposed challenge, Remedy Oak is the easiest fit for most groups thanks to its variety and conditioning, while Broadstone is the one for golfers who want to test themselves on a serious heathland layout.

Pair any of them with a central Bournemouth stay and you have got the golf, the nightlife and the flexibility for a trip that genuinely works.

Handicap: 11
Favourite Course: Thracian Cliffs
My 'Expert' areas: England & Wales
Best trip I've done: Dublin, Ireland
Where my next trip is to: Scotland

Give Andy a call on 0800 043 6644 to arrange your next golf break.