1 Night, 1 Round
Tucked into the Dorset countryside, The Dorset Golf & Country Club Resort is a cracking shout for a South West golf break if you want plenty of holes and zero hassle. You've got 27 holes on-site across three nine-hole loops, a proper practice set-up and accommodation options that work just as well for a quick weekend as they do for a longer society stay.
The course has pedigree too, having hosted events including the South-West PGA Championship and a MasterCard Tour stop, but it's not a members-only monster. With tees to suit most abilities, mid-handicappers can enjoy it without feeling like they're in survival mode from the first tee.
The layout is split into Lakeland, Parkland and Woodlands, so you can mix and match your 18 depending on what you fancy. Lakeland and Parkland combine for the longer championship test, while Woodlands tightens the screws with tree-lined holes where keeping it straight matters more than launching it miles.
If you're planning a few rounds, the variety is the big win here, and it's easy to build a two or three-night break without playing the same course twice. Have a look at our South West of England and Dorset breaks for package options.
Who is this for? Golfers or groups looking for a multi-round break in the South West with quality parkland golf, flexible accommodation and a peaceful country-estate setting. Ideal for societies, friends' trips, couples and families who want variety in both golf and lodging options.
Who is it best for? Mid-to-low handicappers who enjoy strategic, well-conditioned parkland layouts with enough length and challenge to keep things interesting, plus anyone who values having 27 holes on-site to play across a two or three-night stay.
* Where applicable, the relevant promotions will be applied during the booking process. T&Cs may apply.
1 Night, 1 Round
1 Night, 2 Rounds
2 Nights, 3 Rounds
2 Nights, 3 Rounds
3 Nights, 4 Rounds
3 Nights, 4 Rounds
The different combinations offer welcome variety, while the undeniable quality of the golf course has resulted in the Dorset being selected to host countless professional tournaments including the South-West PGA Championship and a MasterCard Tour event. The toughest combination measures over 7,000 yards from the tips and ranks in the top 150 courses in the UK, but there are tees to suit golfers of all standards.
The Lakeland and Parkland loops combine to form The Dorset's championship layout, and it's this pairing that has earned the resort its reputation. Measuring over 7,000 yards from the tips, the course has been rated among the UK's leading courses in various rankings and has hosted professional events, which tells you everything you need to know about the set-up.
The fairways and greens are beautifully shaped and protected by a network of lakes, streams and strategically positioned bunkers that demand both length and precision. What makes the course work for a wide range of golfers is the variety of tees. From the back markers it's a genuine test, but move forward and the layout becomes more forgiving without losing its character.
The greens are the standout feature: contoured and quick, requiring careful reading and a confident stroke. Water comes into play on several holes, and the bunkering is positioned to catch anything loose, so course management and smart decision-making are rewarded throughout. The different nine-hole combinations offer welcome variety across a multi-round stay, and the quality of conditioning and design means you'll want to play all 27 holes if time allows. It's a layout that suits golfers who enjoy strategic, well-maintained parkland golf with enough challenge to keep things interesting.
| Par | 36 |
|---|---|
| Designed by | Martin Hawtree |
| Opened for play | 1991 |
| Blue | 3,510 yards |
|---|---|
| White | 3,306 yards |
| Yellow | 3,117 yards |
| Red | 2,721 yards |
| Par | 36 |
|---|---|
| Designed by | Martin Hawtree |
| Opened for play | 1991 |
| Blue | 3,517 yards |
|---|---|
| White | 3,309 yards |
| Yellow | 3,065 yards |
| Red | 2,748 yards |
If you like getting plenty of holes in, the 27-hole set-up makes it easy to roll straight into another nine without feeling rushed. The Woodlands is part of a complex that also includes a 22-bay driving range and dedicated short-game area, making The Dorset one of the most comprehensive practice and play facilities in the region. Whether you're warming up, working on something specific or just enjoying the variety, the infrastructure here is first-rate.
The Woodlands loop may be the shortest of the three nines at The Dorset, but it's arguably the most demanding when it comes to accuracy. Carved through dramatic rhododendron forest, the fairways are tight and tree-lined, punishing anything offline and rewarding straight hitting above all else. Length takes a back seat here: club selection and course management matter more, and the layout offers a welcome contrast to the more open Lakeland and Parkland loops.
The holes wind through mature woodland where the trees close in quickly, so there's little margin for error off the tee. You'll need to plot your way around rather than overpower it, and that makes for a different kind of test compared to the championship pairing. The greens are well protected and require the same careful approach as the rest of the complex, but the real challenge is keeping the ball in play from tee to green.
It's a loop that rewards patience and accuracy, and it's worth playing if you have the time. The variety it adds to the overall 27-hole offering is significant, and it gives you a completely different look compared to the more expansive Lakeland and Parkland nines. If you're staying for a few nights and want to mix things up, the Woodlands is a smart addition to your itinerary.
| Par | 33 |
|---|---|
| Designed by | Martin Hawtree |
| Opened for play | 1991 |
| White | 2,601 yards |
|---|---|
| Yellow | 2,512 yards |
| Red | 2,244 yards |
The resort's hotel sits right next to the clubhouse, giving you immediate access to the first tee, the bar and the restaurant without needing to get back in the car. There are 16 en-suite guest bedrooms, each decorated in a simple, contemporary style with all the modern amenities you'd expect: comfortable beds, good Wi-Fi, tea and coffee facilities, and enough space to unpack properly. It's straightforward, well-maintained accommodation that does exactly what it needs to do for a golf break.
For larger groups, families or anyone who wants a bit more space and luxury, the resort also offers a collection of Scandinavian-style log homes. Built from genuine Nordic timber, each lodge comes with a private veranda, a built-in sauna, and interiors that feel warm, spacious and genuinely upmarket. These are the resort's top-end lodges, finished to a five-star standard, and they live up to it: open-plan living areas, fully equipped kitchens, modern bathrooms, and enough room to spread out after a long day on the course. The lodges are positioned within the resort village, surrounded by woodland and wildlife, and they're ideal if you're planning a longer stay or travelling with a group that wants to cook, relax and enjoy the surroundings properly.
There's also Oakland Cottage, a four-bedroom house that's been rebuilt and renovated to the same specification as the log homes. It includes a built-in sauna, a fully equipped kitchen, an open-plan kitchen and dining room, and a beautifully furnished lounge with DVD player, video and Freeview channels. The cottage has its own private garden, making it a great option for groups or families who want a bit more independence and outdoor space during their stay.
Dining at The Dorset centres around the Fairways Restaurant, which is run by Head Chef Iain Webber, a classically trained chef with double-rosette experience. The menu changes daily and is built around fresh, local Dorset produce, including locally sourced game and local seafood. It's a proper three-course affair, and the quality is a step above what you'd normally expect at a golf resort. Before dinner, you can have aperitifs in the clubhouse bar, which stocks an extensive range of beers, ciders, ales, wines and spirits, plus a carefully curated international wine list. It's a comfortable, sociable space that works just as well for a quiet pint after your round as it does for a group celebration.
Beyond the golf, the resort sits within a beautiful estate that's home to an impressive variety of wildlife. The network of trails and walks takes you through oak, cedar, beech, fir and eucalyptus trees, and you're likely to spot herons, kingfishers, woodpeckers, foxes, hares and more if you take the time to explore. It's a peaceful, scenic setting that adds real value to the overall experience, especially if you're staying for a few nights and want to do something other than golf.
Mark
✓25 Mar 2026
We stayed in the lodges they are superb!
Andrew
✓23 Mar 2026
Me and my son could not asked for anymore. The hotel and the stuff was so good.
Justin
✓22 Mar 2026
Basic room two beds ,shower bathroom , tea and coffee available, very clean and comfortable bed . All on site . Excellent
Neil
✓12 Oct 2025
Rooms were great and had everything needed for a comfortable stay. Only negative was cold showers !
Jonathan
✓4 Sep 2025
We stayed in one of the lodges which was quite frankly superb, great accommodation, very spacious and modern with 4 bathrooms and a sauna, 3 bedrooms were ensuite, dining table seated 8, a huge lounge with 4 settee's and a large tv and a stereo system. Tea,coffee, milk etc were all provided,whole group were impressed and we will be returning.
Wayne
✓6 Aug 2025
Stayed in the lodges which are superb, food was amazing and the staff looked after us really well all friendly and polite - would totally recommend to any group of golfers
Bryan
✓20 Jun 2025
friendly staff with excellent dining experience
Steve
✓10 Jun 2025
Rooms were fine for a weekend golf getaway, and we got checked into our rooms prior to teeing off, which was great. Staff were really nice and obliging, from reception to Pro shop, Marshall’s, restaurant, bars etc. One of the friendliest venues for us. Breakfast and dinner were very good, with a good dinner menu. We would have no hesitation in returning there in future years.
John
✓4 Jun 2025
Very good
Alan
✓30 Apr 2025
A venue perfect for golf groups. Food high quality, drink prices reasonable and courses interesting and in good condition. Organisation is very impressive, everything runs to plan.
Mark
✓25 Mar 2026
It took a 2 ball 5.5 hrs
Andrew
✓23 Mar 2026
Neil
✓12 Oct 2025
Loved the choice of 27 holes and never once did it feel over busy crossing over onto the different courses. Very well thought out and every 9 was interesting enough. On a good day you could score well across all the courses. Very happy with our two days and would book again
Jonathan
✓4 Sep 2025
Course condition fairly good considering the dry weather, only issue was that the bunkers were hard to play out off due to lack of sand and some of the tee boxes were in a fairly poor condition and a few greens were slightly diseased, but all 3 courses were a good challenge and a great design. The trip was enjoyed by all.
Wayne
✓6 Aug 2025
Courses were in great condition despite the really dry weather we have had - firm and fast but greens in great condition - playable to all handicaps
Paul
✓22 Jun 2025
not the greatist start as couldnt find our booking .but in all fairness was all sorted quickly with no fuss staff helpful and friendly course was dissapointing all bunkers gur .due to storm not clubs fault tbf greens amazing tricky for sure ..tees very tatty no grass would go back tho as members and staff are friendly ..
Bryan
✓20 Jun 2025
course in good condition greens interesting a tad slow
Steve
✓10 Jun 2025
Three 9 hole courses, all very different, and quirky, so would rate course overall to average to hard. Greens were large, and reasonable pace, but the bunkers were flooded from the previous days rain, with no GUR signage. With timings, Sunday’s round took 5 hours, as we clashed with their Captain’s day, but back to the expected 4 hours 15 minutes on the Monday. Marshalls did a good job of checking on progress. Some very difficult, tight holes, and some impressive and challenging par 3’s but all in all, an enjoyable 2 rounds, with 10 out of 14 in our group averaging over 30pts.
John
✓4 Jun 2025
Enjoyed but you do need to play it several times to adjust to hidden areas that need avoiding
Alan
✓30 Apr 2025
Lots of sand, ditches and a few lakes makes an interesting courses. Woodlands is a much tighter course than the others. Apart from evidence of recent timing on a few greens, the course was generally in very good condition.
Check-in from 2pm | Check-out from 10am
8-10am
Smart Casual
Fairways Restaurant
Yes
Yes
No caddies available
None
There is 1 bar on site
There is complimentary car parking
