1 Night, 2 Rounds
Crane Valley Golf Club is a cracking all-round golf set-up in the Dorset countryside, with 27 holes across two courses, a floodlit Trackman driving range and plenty of short game space for sharpening up before your tee time.
The Valley Course is the headline act, a smart parkland test that hosted the 2024 Dorset County Golf Championships. It's not outrageously long, but it does make you plot your way round, especially if you're chasing a score rather than just giving it a lash. If your group's got a mix of abilities, the nine-hole Woodland Course is ideal for beginners, anyone easing back into the game, or a quick loop when you don't fancy the full 18.
Off the course, the two-tier clubhouse and big outdoor patio look out across the fairways and lakes. The bar and terrace are made for post-round pints and a bit of banter, with a great view of the 18th green so you can watch the late finishers come home. If you've got mates still out there, it's the perfect spot to settle in and give them a bit of stick as they walk off.
Crane Valley is part of the Hobourne Group, who also run Bulbury Woods Golf Club nearby in Bournemouth. If you're building a short break or a Bournemouth golf tour, it's an easy way to add variety without spending half the day in the car.
Who is this for?
Golfers looking for a quality parkland course in Dorset that combines a championship-standard test with excellent practice facilities and a relaxed, welcoming clubhouse atmosphere.
Who is it best for?
Mid to low handicappers who want a proper challenge on the Valley Course, plus groups with mixed abilities who can split between the Valley and Woodland layouts to keep everyone happy.
1 Night, 2 Rounds
2 Nights, 3 Rounds
1 Night, 2 Rounds
2 Nights, 3 Rounds
2 Nights, 3 Rounds
3 Nights, 4 Rounds
The Valley Course is the star attraction at Crane Valley, a stunning par 72 layout devised by Donald Steel in 1992, the architect responsible for some of the modern era's best new courses.
The charming Dorset countryside sets the stage for Steel's lovely course, which is a good test for players of all abilities. At 6,424 yards it's relatively short by modern parkland standards, but that's part of the appeal, it keeps the course manageable and enjoyable for everyone without sacrificing the strategic interest that makes you think your way around.
Steel has routed the course beautifully through the natural contours of the land, using elevation changes, water hazards and well-placed bunkering to create a layout that's the sort of course where placement matters and you'll hit plenty of approach shots that ask for the right side of the green, not just the middle of it. The shorter yardage means you'll often have mid to short irons into greens, so accuracy and touch around the greens become more important than raw power off the tee.
Crane Valley also sports an entertaining little nine-hole course, the Woodland, which is perfect for beginners or anyone looking for a quick, low-pressure round. It's a smart addition to the complex and means the venue can cater to a wider range of abilities and time commitments.
It's a bit of a Dorset sleeper pick for anyone staying around Bournemouth, and a very handy stop on a Bournemouth golf tour.
Matthew
✓2 Mar 2026
Well maintained after recent weather conditions. Lovely course.
Dave
✓27 Oct 2025
Dan
✓8 Sep 2025
Thoroughly enjoyed playing this one. Great layout with well positioned traps to make you think about your tee shot. Greens were great! 4 and a half hour round unfortunately which is still a bit longer then you would expect on a Saturday morning tee time but didn’t effect much as the course was in great condition
Andrew
✓29 Jul 2025
Need to book a buggy next time in advance
Dan
✓20 May 2025
A super day at Crane Valley, brilliant clubhouse view over the 18th
David
✓5 May 2025
Greens were a little slow. Rough in places where a little to rough. Struggling to find balls that just ram off the fairway
Tim
✓30 Apr 2025
Tim
✓6 Apr 2025
Amazing course, practice facilities were spot on right from the off very good areas covering all aspects of your game, the 18 hole course was the best we played all weekend superb conditions and layout, there’s even a 9 hole course that looked really good but we didn’t have enough time to play it, definitely going back
Ian
✓30 Sep 2024
A lovely course that all of our group would like to play again. Facilities marked so low because on leaving the golf course we were advised that the only food available would-be chips due to a small wedding taking place. Additionally, as there was only one person serving in the bar, half of our group left without even having a drink. Unacceptable.
Rune
✓31 Jul 2024
Tony
✓22 May 2024
Very enjoyable our handicaps ranged from 4 to 24 and everyone and alk enjoyed
Waldemar
✓22 May 2023
Nice course great for group golf . Nice fast greens. Good fairways
Paul
✓28 Apr 2023
Large society out in front of us and only played 7 holes in 2 hours 10 minutes so walked in. Greens were good but a bit messy in places. I’m sure the rest of the course would have been good but 18 seniors out in front of you is too slow
Roy
✓28 Apr 2022
This was included in the package so I do know what we paid as a green fee and therefore cannot comment on value. But as a good average course for what I imagine was a bit less money it stacks up. Greens were struggling (as they had had Fusarium). Nice staff.
IAN
✓17 Oct 2021
Well kept greens and fairways, lovely part of the countryside. Good food, staff and decent beer in the clubhouse
Michael
✓7 Jul 2021
Lots of long holes but in good condition and a good test
Vince
✓30 Jun 2021
Good course in pleasant surroundings. Course played in late June and was in good condition and a challenge for golfers at al levels Club house very pleasant and decent veranda for food/beers after the round
Geoff
✓29 Jun 2021
very nice course
Luke
✓28 Jun 2021
Great course to end a trip, not too tricky off the tee but some long rough to be aware of.
Barry
✓24 Sep 2019
Very good condition. Quick greens, sand in the bunkers, open fairways.
Jon
✓10 Sep 2019
Fantastic condition and not too busy - got a good pace going. Very friendly and well kept facilities. Only gripe would be the course is a little too repetitive with little in the way of signature holes or views. Good course to finish our little tour as it was quite forgiving for the high handicappers.
David
✓10 Aug 2019
Nice place
Jh
✓29 Jul 2019
David
✓21 Jul 2019
Good pace interesting greens, course fairly flat.
Bob
✓22 Jun 2019
The course was in very good condition. A friendly welcome from the staff and good facilities.
