Isle of Purbeck Golf Club

The Isle of Purbeck Golf Club is an 18-hole heathland/ moorland golf course with a decidedly linksy feel. The course offers spectacular views of Poole Harbour, Brownsea Island, Bournemouth, and The Solent. Perched high above Poole and Swanage, it is sat within an SSSI site and nature reserve. The highlight is the view afforded golfers on the 5th tee. If you’re a twitcher, keep your eyes peeled for the rare Dartford Warbler.

Isle of Purbeck Golf Club History

Established in August 1892, Arthur Jackson laid out the original design. It was reported in 1904 that the 9-hole course was ‘recently greatly improved.’ A further nine holes were added to Isle of Purbeck Golf Club in the 1960s, bringing the total to 18. The 5th, 6th, and the stretch of holes from the 10th to 16th were developed by J Hamilton Stutt in 1966. The club’s name was changed to the Studland Bay Golf Club before being changed back to the Isle of Purbeck Golf Club in 1966.

Isle of Purbeck Golf Club & Harry Colt

There is a persistent rumour of Harry Colt being behind the design at The Isle of Purbeck Golf Club. Despite repeated efforts to establish the credibility of the claims, no one has been able to do so. There is a possibility the supposed connection comes from J Hamilton Stutt’s father, John R Stutt, who worked with John Morrison (Harry Colt’s associate) after WW2.

The Purbeck Course

The 18-hole Purbeck Course is the main attraction here. The views are simply stunning, virtually unrivalled by very few other courses in the British Isles.

The 5th and 6th holes are the standouts on the outward nine. The 5th is one of the best par 4’s I’ve played in recent memory. The tee is atop a hill that is also a bronze age burial mound. To be fair, if you were looking for a place to spend the rest of eternity, the 5th tee on The Purbeck Course isn’t a bad choice. The 6th is a lay of the land par 5 that can be reached in two with two perfect shots. Of the 9 holes added by Stutt, the 5th, 6th and 11th are the best of the lot.

The 16th and 17th green sites are also superb. If you found these on a top-tier links layout, you wouldn’t be surprised and probably would be among the better of the lot. The other highlight is the collection of par 3’s. The infinity green 4th is the first you’ll encounter. The 9th, 11th, and 15th make up the rest and all offer different looks, play in different directions and to different yardages.

The Dene Course

The Dene Course is the 2000-yard 9-hole relief course at The Isle of Purbeck Golf Club. The 1st, 2nd, and 9th holes are Par 4’s with the remainder being Par 3’s. The two-shot holes range from 245 to 276 yards. The six one-shot holes range from 154 to 243 yards. The par 30, 9-hole course has views of Poole and Swanage. The original golf course was actually located on this side of the road.

Isle of Purbeck Golf Club & Tim Lobb

The Isle of Purbeck Golf Club has taken on golf course architect, Tim Lobb to work his heathland magic. The Purbeck Course has enormous potential. No doubt flashy, heather-clad bunkers will reappear. The primary challenge for Mr Lobb will the 1st, 2nd, and 18th. The secondary challenge will be the back and forth 13th, 14th and 16th that essentially ask the same question three times in four holes. There are solutions and we look forward to seeing what Tim is able to do to make this course the best edition of itself. It is out of the way but well worth the journey, especially if one is in the general vicinity.