Parkstone was originally laid out by two-time Open Champion Willie Park Jnr and opened for play in 1909. It's been refined over the years, but the big moment came in 1937 when James Braid reworked the routing into the strong, strategic test visitors still love today.
Reg Whitcombe, the 1938 Open Champion, summed it up neatly: 'There is no better place.' Big praise, but spend a day here and you'll see why Parkstone is so often talked about as Dorset's standout.
Set on sandy, gently rolling ground in the Luscombe Valley, it has a lovely heathland feel. Expect pine-framed holes, plenty of heather and a proper sense of place, plus a few glimpses out towards Poole Harbour and Poole Bay when the trees open up.
Underfoot, it's classic heathland: firm, springy turf that rewards a low, chasing ball when conditions are dry. The heather is the headline hazard, but it's the angles that really bite. Take the wrong side of the fairway and you'll be playing in over trouble to greens that don't give you much for free. It's a straightforward walk, too, and a great shout in shoulder seasons when the South Coast drains well.
It's also an easy win for logistics. You're just outside Poole, close to Bournemouth and within easy reach of other top local picks. If you're building a golf tour in the Bournemouth area, Parkstone is the sort of course that gives your itinerary a bit of pedigree.
Who is this for? Anyone who fancies a proper South Coast heathland test with a bit of history behind it. It works brilliantly for societies staying in Bournemouth or Poole, straightforward to get to and reliably in good nick when you're trying to stack a tour with minimal fuss.
Who is it best for? Golfers who like strategy off the tee and don't mind being asked to hit their spots. If you're a mid to low handicapper you'll appreciate the design, but any golfer will enjoy it if you play sensibly and keep it out of the heather.
