1 Night, 2 Rounds
Founded in 1896, Ashley Wood Golf Club is one of those Dorset courses where you'll spend as much time looking up as you do looking for your ball. Several holes are framed by ancient woodland, spring brings a proper carpet of bluebells and there's plenty of birdlife year round. Right, it's scenic, but it's not a pushover.
The layout sits on a chalk base, which is a big deal if you're planning a UK break outside peak season. Drainage is generally excellent, so after heavy rain the course tends to stay playable and the turf keeps its firmness better than many inland parkland tracks. Add in undulating fairways, well-placed bunkers and consistently tidy greens and you've got a round that rewards placement and decision-making rather than just hitting it miles.
At 18 holes and par 70, Ashley Wood won't feel like a modern brute, but the routing and natural movement in the land keep you engaged. Expect a mix of stances and lies, a few approach shots where distance control really matters and enough variety to make it a great addition to a Bournemouth golf break, especially if you want something a bit different from the coastal rota.
Who is this for?
Ashley Wood suits golfers looking for a scenic, well-conditioned parkland round in Dorset without the formality or price tag of a championship venue. It's ideal for couples, small groups and societies who want quality golf in a relaxed, welcoming environment, plus anyone planning a Bournemouth golf break and looking to add variety beyond the coastal courses.
Who is it best for?
Mid to high handicappers will enjoy the balance of challenge and playability, while low handicappers will appreciate the strategic demands and year-round conditioning. It's also a strong choice for winter golf when you want proper greens, firm fairways and a course that rewards good ball striking rather than punishing you for playing in December.
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1 Night, 2 Rounds
2 Nights, 3 Rounds
1 Night, 2 Rounds
2 Nights, 3 Rounds
3 Nights, 4 Rounds
This par 70, 18-hole layout has been welcoming visitors since 1896, and the warm, friendly atmosphere remains a hallmark of the club today. Set in the heart of the Dorset countryside, you'll play through gently rolling terrain with long views across farmland and woodland that shift with the seasons.
The chalk base is the course's secret weapon. Drainage is excellent, the turf stays firm and the fairways run true even after heavy rain. That makes Ashley Wood a genuine year-round option, particularly valuable during the winter months when so many inland courses turn soft and slow. The greens are typically kept to a very good standard through the season, and the undulating fairways demand accuracy off the tee and smart course management into the greens.
Bunkering is placed to punish loose shots rather than decorate the landscape, and the routing uses the natural contours to create variety in stance, lie and approach angle. You'll face uphill drives, downhill approaches and a few holes where club selection matters more than distance. It's an enjoyable walk, but there's enough movement underfoot that you'll notice the undulations by the back nine, so a trolley helps if you're playing 36 in a day.
If you're travelling with a mixed-ability group, it's the sort of par 70 where sensible tees and good course management keep everyone in the game. The course doesn't overpower you with length, but it asks questions with placement, rewards local knowledge and punishes careless shots into the bunkers or off the fairway. For anyone putting together a multi-course trip in the region, Ashley Wood adds a different flavour to the coastal links tests and offers a reliable, well-maintained round whatever the time of year.
| Par | 71 |
|---|---|
| Designed by | Sir William Henry Smith-Marriott |
| Opened for play | 1896 |
| Purple | 6,248 yards | SSS 71.1 (M) 76.9 (L) |
|---|---|---|
| Green | 5,948 yards | SSS 69.3 (M) 75.2 (L) |
| Gold | 5,584 yards | SSS 67.9 (M) 73.2 (L) |
Lee
✓13 Aug 2025
The first 5 holes are very good and then the holes seem to be up, down, up, down. Not much of a challenge for a 10 h/c or below.
Tim
✓30 Apr 2025
Ian
✓30 Sep 2024
A great day's golf. Its autumn so we cannot expect perfection on the greens but considering recent weather and green maintenance it was very good.
Rune
✓31 Jul 2024
Rune
✓31 Jul 2024
Really friendly staff. Huge greens in oerfect condition. Perfect course for mid to high handicappers.
Craig
✓15 Jul 2024
Tony
✓22 May 2024
Handicap ranged from 4 to 24 but although a,struggle everyone enjoyed the round. Tremendous location and stunning views. Very helpful pro shop staff and a thourghly good experience
Simon
✓2 Oct 2023
A beautiful course. Challenging, undulating, fun and interesting. A bit slow but we had some rain that held everyone up. Greens were excellent. Rough was manageable. Fairways were reasonable open. Enjoyed the round and would play there again.
Lenny
✓12 Sep 2023
Excellent
Waldemar
✓22 May 2023
Nice course good fairways bunkers and greens.
Paul
✓28 Apr 2023
Best course I’ve ever played, fairways and greens were superb and lots of challenge soling the way! Good pro shop and clubhouse
Michael
✓16 May 2022
Unfortunately weather not good. Course looked in good nick. Would like to play it again in good weather
Ron
✓12 Oct 2021
A really nice course, and a good challenge for any golfer, the pro shop staff were also very helpful.
Dan
✓2 Oct 2021
Good but lots of wind and rain
Tony
✓30 Sep 2021
Very open course. Great for the big driver
John
✓18 Sep 2021
Nice course with sloping fairways so need to aim your tee shots to stay on the fairways
Colin
✓25 Jun 2021
Superb all in..
Dave
✓20 Oct 2020
First time here for all of us. It is a gem. The greens were excellent,
Rachel
✓16 Mar 2020
I enjoyed playing there
