Best Golf Courses in Swanage, Dorset (2025)

Rating: 5 / 5

Amazing course, in fantastic condition. Lucky enough to be invited as a guest to Parkstone. What a day. The course is a good length, a mix of parkland and heathland with a woodland section as well. Very varied, which makes it even more fun. Greens were fast and also true. Fairways in great condition. Tee boxes are good and flat, I've putted on worse condition green's. I would recommend you take the opportunity to play here if it presents itself.

Rating: 5 / 5

Played a lot of Courses, but Parkstone is different class! Great condition...with each hole being something different. Loved it!

Rating: 5 / 5

What a fantastic place to play golf, the course was in immaculate condition and played very well. Greens were fast and consistent. The course provided a good challenge but there’s plenty of options to score well if you are on top of your game!

Rating: 5 / 5

Played Parkstone yesterday after some of the worst rain I've seen, i couldn't believe the condition the course was in, it was immaculate! The course layout is by far the best I've played with each hole offering something different and lot to think about. The views from the golf course are just simply stunning! The marshal Nick had fantastic knowledge of the course which really helped when navigating the course. All staff are very welcoming and nothing is to much bother. Cant wait to come back and would highly recommend this course to anyone!

Rating: 5 / 5

Quiet spot with shade to enjoy small pitch and putt, table tennis, tennis, bowls and basketball. Small cafe open during summer months for hot and cold drinks and light snacks.

Rating: 5 / 5

Lovely well kept sports park,we played the putting which is the best we have seen, not to easy ,very clearly marked,a good challenge

Rating: 4 / 5

A lovely place to spend a few hours. The coffee shop provides a selection of drinks, sweets and snacks always served with a smile. The 18 hole putting greens are great fun. Other activities are available including tennis and bowls. A lovely place to take a picnic. Steady downhill walk, about 10 mins, to the sea front.

Rating: 5 / 5

Fun putting green with an interesting range of slopes. Also a bowling green, tennis courts and a basketball court. The cafe serves pasties and snacks and an attractive range of soft drinks.

Rating: 5 / 5

We have had our annual group members (for 80 members, though we could easily fill more places) afternoon cream tea at Crane Valley for the past 3 years. Every year they provide the same superb food and service. Nothing is to much trouble for the staff, the facilities are top notch with the 80 place function room with bar and lounge area with views over the scenic golf course down to the lake. Highly recommended.

Rating: 5 / 5

Teriffic round at Crane Valley GC. Played like a donkey, but that wasn't down to the course, which wasn't long, but was technical in places. Hit some good shots, but also some shockers, think I should have left the putter in the car too ! Enjoyable course, even in the drizzle !

Rating: 5 / 5

Crane Valley Golf Club offers a great dining experience. The food was simply amazing, with a variety of delicious options that cater to all tastes. The service was equally impressive, with attentive and friendly staff ensuring that every need was met promptly. A special mention goes to Jon, whose professionalism and dedication significantly enhanced our visit. Highly recommended for both golf enthusiasts and those seeking a memorable meal in a beautiful setting.

Rating: 4 / 5

A beautiful day spent with my son and friends watching the Dorset Amateur Championships. Tom in the semi-finals and the course was great. The greens looked beautiful.

Rating: 5 / 5

Lovely 9 holes of golf. Easy to book via website we were advised pro shop would be shut that day and to check in at clubhouse. Warm welcome on arrival and purchased range tokens and rental trollies. Other players/members chatty and welcoming, and nice round. Uncle hadn’t played for about 10 years so nice course for him to get his swing back. Wasn’t rushed about on the course. nice course and very welcoming. Highly recommended for a peaceful round of golf at a fair price.

Rating: 5 / 5

What a little gem of a golf course! We visited on a lovely day and I had a lesson with Charlie, who was an excellent teacher, and made me feel at ease. The course has a family atmosphere to it, not intimidating like other places. The little cafe has a beautiful setting and a nice selection of dishes. Shame you're an hour away from is, hopefully we can visit soon!

Rating: 5 / 5

Mike Dodd and all the junior coaches are fantastic. So welcoming and friendly. My son really enjoys going. They have a workbook with targets to aim for. It helps with focus and strives them to always move forward. It's a beautiful 9-hole course tucked away in Sturminster Marshall. It's definitely worth a visit for a coffee in the club house and chat with Mike.

Rating: 5 / 5

Tricky little golf course, plays 18, designed around a 9 hole. No par 5's but lots of par 4's (and long ones). T Boxes were difficult to get T pegs into the ground. Lovely and flat course. Such a pretty course to play. Very enjoyable. This was the first time in 20 years of my golfing experiences (and I have played many courses)...that I have ever seen steps into a bunker !! Luckily I didn't have to use them 🙃

Rating: 4 / 5

Rating: 5 / 5

Great fun. Certainly worth a trip if you have any football loving kiddos.

Rating: 5 / 5

Had a great day out at Bulbury today. The course is tight in places and very unforgiving if you stray off the fairway. It was in excellent condition. The staff made you feel very welcome and were very friendly.

Rating: 4 / 5

A lovely golf course, well worth the visit. This course is not the longest if courses, but is nonetheless quite challenging. Researching the layout before attending will help you. Really nice clubhouse and friendly staff. Also a well stocked little shop. A couple of driving nets to warm up, or if you want, a driving range to practice at. If the weather has been very wet, there will be standing water, although the drainage is very good, it can be overwhelmed. I will 100% play here again.

Rating: 5 / 5

We played a Dorset past captains match versus Hampshire past captains ⛳️ The course was in excellent condition very well manicured, the greens were very fast and true. The catering was also good and all the staff were very friendly. The club captain was in our first group out and he set a high standard with his course knowledge,well played Rob ⛳️ if you are in the area I would recommend a visit for a good challenging game and the bar is just the job on a hot day sitting on the patio 🏖️ or just pop in for a bit to eat and a drink🍹

Rating: 5 / 5

Played this lovely course, in lovely condition, with lovely people, on a lovely day !!! Thank you.

Rating: 5 / 5

Specifically a review on the coaching and Pro Shop. Had lessons with Bailey Birch since the beginning of this year. Couldn’t have imagined such a big change in my swing and my enjoyment of the game since having lessons with him. Lessons in particular are very good. Lots of important information and always a positive outcome with a specific working point to work on inbetween lessons. This always led to a visible solid improvement without overloading me on too many issues with my swing at once. Couldn’t recommend him enough if considering lessons whether it’s a playing lesson, range session or in the simulator.

Rating: 5 / 5

The course was in magnificent condition. Food in the bar was really nice (avo toast particularly!). All staff incredibly friendly and helpful. Would play again.

Rating: 5 / 5

Played today on their Christmas Golf Special, what a great deal!!! Staff are brilliant, very welcoming and helpful. Course in unbelievable condition after all the storms we have had. Thank you Dorset Golf & Country Club, look forward to returning soon.

Rating: 4 / 5

We stayed in a lodge which was spacious and well equipped. Just a short walk to the restaurant and facilities at the clubhouse. Indoor short mat bowls,and what looked like a good golf course although we didn't use it

Rating: 4 / 5

Just returned from a one night and two round stay. We had an enjoyable time and the golf course was in superb condition. All three 9’s were a challenge in their own way. All staff were very helpful and the bar staff in particular kept the bar open late in the evening for us, thanks for that. Only negative was the Halfway House was shut both days and during peak times when a lot of golfers wanted a mid round snack.

Rating: 4 / 5

Stunning golf course that will test all your skills and abilities. Pick your tee box wisely. Played here in late July & was able to book a reasonably priced green fee on their website in the afternoon. First impressions in the pro-shop were excellent and that is because we met the manager (apologies I have forgotten your name) who chatted to use and helped us with sorting out an electric buggy and giving help on how to play the first holes to get us started. Wonderful way to start the round, thank you. Isle of Purbeck Golf Club has some stunning views on some great holes, so be prepared to get some amazing photos as you walk the course. If you are walking, be prepared as it is a big course to walk with ups & downs for all 18 holes. The reason for 4* is that we were held up by a 4 ball of tourists who really didn't know how to play at a decent pace or understand that they were holding up play & should have allowed us and another group to play through. There were no course marshals to manage the pace of play. This was quite frustrating. The course was dry and the greens were in good condition, we were lucky enough to play on a warm sunny afternoon, which obviously helped with the positive experience. There are plenty of interesting & different holes on this course. No experience of the clubhouse or the restaurant as we were late finishing our round & needed to leave as soon as we finished. Looking forward to returning.

Rating: 5 / 5

Stunning place to play golf, the course is a decent challenge and has beautiful views where ever you are. Well appointed clubhouse and plenty of parking. Can’t wait to play it again.

Rating: 5 / 5

Really enjoyable round at Isle of Purbec Golf Club, greens are running fast and true, rough is tough and unforgiving (if you can find the ball !) Of particular note are the views around the course, which are unsurpassed !

Rating: 5 / 5

Great course, amazing views, if the wind is up it plays really tough, be prepared to lose a lot of balls. Well worth a visit.

Rating: 4 / 5

Lovely course with greens and fairways in great condition. Welcoming staff. Very nice pro shop, bar and restaurant. My only criticism is of the green keeping staff who were cutting areas around the tee boxes who showed little consideration when teeing off. On one hole, the guy with the blower blew grass cuttings into me while I sat in a buggy prior to teeing off. I had bits of grass in my eyes and even into my mouth. I think they should be a little more mindful of the players. Other than that, I very much enjoyed my round in a club that had a friendly atmosphere. Great variety of holes, many with beautiful views. Very happy to play there again.

Rating: 5 / 5

Absolutely lovely course with nice elevation and a few water points adding character to a course. Greens and fairways in great condition and most of all it’s superb value compared to other courses of its kind. Also has a lovely clubhouse to enjoy a nice drink in after your round and a very well equipped pro shop.

Rating: 5 / 5

This being my home club I’m maybe a bit biased ⛳️ after a very dry summer and no grass on the fairways we are now seeing the grass growing well. Green are all getting there make over and starting to recover well. we have a very well stocked pro shop and will soon have a golf simulator purpose built to improve your golf ⛳️ we have a full catering service and a very comfortable Club house.🥶 Winter has arrived but the course is holding out, cold and sunny winter golf ⛳️ roll on the spring. Still worth a visit on a nice day ⛳️🥶