The Dorset Golf & Country Club Resort

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.

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.