1 Night, 2 Rounds
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
3 Nights, 4 Rounds
2 Nights, 3 Rounds
2 Nights, 3 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.
Steve
✓4 Aug 2026
Friendly staff who couldn’t do enough for you ar try to help you out Food was 10/10 breakfast and evening meal well done Dorset Golf and Country Club
Paul
✓1 Aug 2026
We were a party of 8. 7 of us stayed in the Woodland Cottage, the other in the hotel. the cottage accommodation was outstanding, with plenty of space to meet up (inside and out). The cottage is on the edge of the course and well away from other accommodation, so no one could upset us of an evening and vice versa. Facilities were great - including a sauna - and we had everything needed in the expansive kitchen. Everything was spotless. The only thing lacking in the bar was a good condition ale, otherwise all other tastes are catered for. One bar staff could have been mor attentive to his customer care. The rest were polite, helpful, and cheerful. The food was rated excellent by all.
Andrew
✓29 Jul 2026
The room was very comfortable and very accessible to the Club House and Courses. Tge food was excellant.
William
✓27 Jul 2026
Accommodation was excellent but it was excelled by the food. Beef strips in hoi sin sauce highly recommended
Dawn
✓1 Jul 2026
We were upgraded to a lodge and it was very good and we were looked after well.
Paul
✓29 Jun 2026
Very hot during our stay, so lack of air con didn’t help. That said, Staff in Reception were very helpful throughout. Clean and tidy rooms. Air con in Resteraunt. Golf Shop Staff could benefit from Customer Service refresher course. Seemed very miserable and unhelpful, at times. Course Marshall and Halfway Hut were happy and jolly though!! :-)
Rod
✓23 Jun 2026
From check in to playing our booked round of golf was simple. The bar and restaurant are all within the clubhouse. We had a table reserved and the food was excellent.
Brian
✓12 Jun 2026
As in our 5 previous years the accommodation and facilities at this location are excellent. All staff are very professional and the quality of food is top class
Steve
✓9 May 2026
We were given a upgrade from 2 hotel rooms too a log cabin which was amazing wish we had stayed longer
Ollie
✓4 May 2026
Steve
✓4 Aug 2026
Fairways scorched and bone dry which obviously couldn’t be helped. Greens in good nick.
Paul
✓1 Aug 2026
The pro shop was a well-oiled machine when it came to organising our society competitions. For us high handicappers (23 - 36) it was testing, but not as much as we thought from the video overviews - I didn't lose too many balls :). The condition of the fairways couldn't have been helped as it's been under drought conditions for some time. If the condition of the greens was anything to go by, I'm sure the fairways would have been excellent in better times. We all thoroughly enjoyed our golf, and that about says it all.
Andrew
✓29 Jul 2026
The Courses were in resonable condition bearing in mind the extreme heat of the current weeks. Tge Greens were well kept. We would not hesitate to go back
William
✓27 Jul 2026
All courses were a good test of ability, especially your bunker play🤣. Considering we visited during a drought the course was magnificent, especially the greens(once I got there). The Woodland course wasn't to our liking but probably more to do with how we played rather than the course layout. We will definitely be back next year.
Dawn
✓1 Jul 2026
Just pleasant.
Paul
✓29 Jun 2026
Timings all to plan, except for Sunday, with a big delay, as we played the Lakeland (hole 10-18). Two groups came in. Marshall tried his best to correct. Pro Shop Staff didn’t seem interested, which was disappointing.
Rod
✓23 Jun 2026
Great time on the course. Wonderful setting and the course was challenging but thoroughly enjoyable. We played 18 of the 27 available. Will definitely be back.
Brian
✓12 Jun 2026
Unfortunately due to adverse weather in previous weeks the bunkers were in poor condition, many of which were blue pole marked and out of use. The fairways were not as good as normal and tees boxes poor. However on speaking to members it was obvious that with volume of societies as well as members the staff do not get time to spend working on general areas of play to keep them up to their previous standards. Overall however this is a good club & course and even with the minor lapses a verk good location for golfing trips. Hioghly recommended
Steve
✓9 May 2026
Great conditions to play golf greens were good fairways good considering the amount of traffic on them.the only downside was the bunkers had stones in
Ollie
✓4 May 2026
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
