Broadstone Golf Club
Tom Dunn laid the first holes at Broadstone in 1898, but it was Harry Colt's remodel between 1914 and 1922 that turned it into one of the great Golden Age heathland courses. A par 70 of 6,479 yards above Poole, it is famous for its bold elevation changes, its four superb par 3s and the way the heather and pine sharpen every approach.
Photo: Broadstone Golf Club via Google.
The verdict
Broadstone is a course with a rare architectural pedigree. Tom Dunn laid out the original links in 1898, then Harry Colt reworked it comprehensively between 1914 and 1922, stripping away the parkland holes and replacing them with pure heathland, and Herbert Fowler added later refinements. Three of the Golden Age's most important names left their mark on this one piece of Dorset heath.
What you get is a course that feels both classical and dramatic. The land tumbles and climbs, the elevation changes give the holes real teeth, and a slope of 140 from the back tees tells you Broadstone does not give par away. It is a connoisseur's heathland course, less famous than some of its neighbors but rated by those who know it among the best in the south, and a fine centerpiece for a Dorset golf trip.
Broadstone Golf Club at a glance
- Opened
- 1898
- Designer
- Tom Dunn, Harry Colt
- Type
- Heathland
- Par
- 70
- Yardage
- 6,479 yds
- Green fee
- Visitor rate
Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026 from Broadstone Golf Club and leading course databases. Broadstone was laid out by Tom Dunn in 1898 and remodelled by Harry Colt between 1914 and 1922, a par 70 of 6,479 yards. Broadstone welcomes visiting golfers; green fees vary by season and day (indicative, 2026), so always confirm the current rate directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
Broadstone makes the most of its tumbling ground. Colt routed holes that climb and fall across the heath, so stance and an awkward lie are part of the test, and judging the right club into an elevated or sunken green is half the battle. The heather is thick and unforgiving, framing the fairways and waiting for the loose tee shot, and the firm turf rewards the player who can flight the ball and use the slopes.
The par 3s are the celebrated set, four genuinely distinct one shotters that ask different questions of length, carry and nerve, the kind of holes that decide a card. The closing run keeps the pressure on, with elevation and heather conspiring to punish any drop in concentration.
What stays with you is the drama of the land. Broadstone does not have the flat, serene feel of some heathland courses; it heaves and rolls, the views open out over Poole and the heath, and the round has a momentum and a bite that make it memorable.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Members club that welcomes visiting golfers, mainly on weekdays with limited weekend availability by arrangement; advance booking recommended |
| Green fee | Indicative visitor green fees in the region of 60 to 95 pounds depending on season and day (2026); always confirm directly before booking |
| Booking | Reserve through the Broadstone golf office ahead of travel; summer tee times fill quickly |
| On the day | Smart golf dress on course and in the clubhouse; trolleys and buggies available; the walk is hilly, so allow for the climbs |
| Getting there | Broadstone just north of Poole in Dorset, on elevated heath close to the A349 and A35; a short drive from Bournemouth |
| Best months | May to September for the firmest turf and the heather in full color |
Access and fee details verified June 2026; rates change by season and day, so always confirm directly with the club or your trip planner before booking.
Where to stay nearby
Poole and Bournemouth, just to the south, offer everything from harborside hotels to beachfront rooms within a short drive of the first tee, making the area an easy base for a golf and coast break. Quieter country lodging sits in the villages around Broadstone and Wimborne.
Broadstone pairs naturally with the other great Dorset heathland courses for a full tour, and the cluster links to the Hampshire and Surrey heathland an hour or so northeast for a longer southern England itinerary.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Broadstone.
Build a Dorset golf trip
We arrange tee times at Broadstone and the best of the Dorset heathland, pair the courses with the right coastal base and book the lodging around them. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Broadstone Golf Club questions
Who designed Broadstone Golf Club and when did it open?
Broadstone was originally laid out by Tom Dunn in 1898 and remodelled into a pure heathland course by Harry Colt between 1914 and 1922, with later refinements from Herbert Fowler.
What is the par and length of Broadstone Golf Club?
Broadstone is a par 70 of 6,479 yards, a heathland course noted for its severe elevation changes, four distinct par 3s and a slope rating of 140 from the back tees.
Can visitors play Broadstone Golf Club?
Yes. Broadstone welcomes visiting golfers, mainly on weekdays with limited weekend access; book ahead and confirm the current green fee before you travel.
Where is Broadstone Golf Club?
Broadstone is just north of Poole in Dorset, England, on elevated heathland a short drive from Bournemouth and the coast.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.