Isle of Purbeck Golf Club

Concur with the last review. Played IoP 15/6/13 and was disappointed with the condition of the course especially the greens, yes the views are decent but the course in its present condition doesn't match them!

Have never left a course review before in my life but felt compelled to after playing at the Isle of Purbeck last weekend (May 2013). What a shame that this course doesn't have a bit more love and affection poured into it!In terms of its setting it must rank amongst the very best anywhere in the UK with fabulous views over Poole Harbour. Sadly though the standard of the course itself is a real let down. There are without doubt some wonderful golf holes here and overall the course provides an interesting and at times very tough challenge. However, the state of the greens alone were enough for most of our group to say that they wouldn't be returning. Whilst the upkeep of a course like this will always be difficult given its geography and position the condition of 90% of the greens was both a complete disappointment and an utter disgrace. Putting on most of them was a lottery and completely spoilt the round. The practice putting green was also the worst I have ever seen at any golf course anywhere! All of this is such a shame because with a bit of care, a lot of thought, and I guess a large injection of cash, this could be one of the best 'hidden gems' in the country.

Wonderful course, we had the most benign weather imaginable for mid-November as we all played in short sleeves. The greens have been much improved and they are currently placing news paths and drainage. It was boggy on some of the fairways, but it didn't matter. Great views and clever holes - the 5th is both as is the lovely par 3 11th. Their generous winter warmer for £30 provided coffee and a bacon roll on arrival - 18 holes on this cracking course and then ham, eggs and chips when we'd finished. Nice bar and nice friendly members too. Thank you

A truly wonderfull golf course. Ok it's in not the best quality course you will ever play but it is open to all the elements and a real classic heathland course. This is one of the reasons why it is so good. I would recommend playing off the white tees to get a proper test! It starts off slowly bedding you in for the first 3 holes then ramps up with a long par 3 (usually into the wind) Holes 4 and 5 are just immense. Two of the best holes on a golf course. The 4th hole tee shot I have on my screen saver with the view out to Poole harbour and then you realise you have to carry 200 yds of Heather and thread the ball down a fairway doglegging left to right around a cravasse! Next up Old Harry and yo think you might be able to get a shot back here only 500yds par 5. Think again. This was into a headwind on all 3 times i played it making it more like 600 yds and all uphill... Te back nine also has some great holes and there are some good hills to negotiate and various bunkers as well as a few easier holes to give you a chance. Overall a great great course and is still my number one. Thoroughly recommended

We played Isle Of Purbeck on a lovely September afternoon as part of our societies 3 day golfing tour. Personally I’d played the course many times as it’s one of my ‘must play’ courses and have never had a reason to post anything negative about the course. It can be a frustrating course if you’ve not played it before and the gorse & heather can become monotonous if you’re not playing well that day. All our group agreed it was one of the toughest they have ever played (35 points won, 33 second, 28 third and the rest we’re 20 or below) but it was subliminally beautiful. My advice is take plenty of balls but if you play with your brain and not your brawn, if you think your shots ahead and if you’re on fire with sand saves and short game then you can tame this course. The opening couple of holes are fairly benign but from then onwards you’re into a world of pain unless you think your way around. Walk off this course with a lighter bag from all the lost balls and a sub-20 points score then yes you will blame things like fairway condition or poor greens but the reality of this is that Isle of Purbeck is a gem of a challenging course.

I was a bit worried about booking this place as part of our tour to Bournemouth after reading some of the reviews on this site, but I can say that there is no need to worry about Purbeck - Its LOVELY! The views on the course are unvelievable, and you can spend a lot of the time just staring out into the distance. The course is a real test of golf, but if you keep it reasonably straight it's fine. The general condition of the course was good and the greens were very good and quick - we didn't notice any of the problems that others had mentioned regarding the standard of the greens - we all thought they were very good. Had a bite to eat after the game and that was very nice and the bar staff were very fiendly, as were the members we met. Only negative was the less than enthusiastic welcome in the pro shop - nothing rude just not very interested in us. So all in all, I would happily recomend this course to anyone and look forward to returning one day.

Despite some critiscm of this course last year we decided to return. There has been a fiar bit of improvement in the year since our last visit. Greens are improved as are the buggy paths. This is still a challenging course & very enjoyable. It has great viewes & is in a fab location. Worth a visit.

Played IOP on 27 April on a twilight ticket for £25. As previous reviews have already mentioned, the setting of the course is no less than magnificent, especially with the gorse in full bloom and the sun shining. The views are wonderful. Further to earlier critical reviews, I can only report what I experienced on the course. The greens were fine, with one exception (the 11th - see below). The undulating fairways were curiously inconsistent; most were very dry and hard whilst a few (13, 14 & 16) were soft and peaty. Overall though I thought the course was in good nick. Admittedly, it is a bit untidy in places but what the hell, this is heathland golf. The best holes in my opinion are 4, 5, 6 and 11. 4 and 11 are both classic par 3s, the 4th a raised plateau and the 11th a downhill 190 yarder to a two tier green shrouded in pine trees. This does mean that the green does not get as much sunlight as it should and was in poor condition. The par 4 5th has a daunting tee shot from a raised tee over a sea of gorse and the 6th is a short par 5 which plays long as it is all uphill (and into the wind when I played it). One last thing, being heathland there is an abundance of bird life on the course; various finches, stonechats and warblers everywhere. I even saw a cuckoo! Sika deer freely roam about as well. All this adds to the experience of playing this course.

A group of nine of us played this course on the 25th May, and despite hearing a few negative things, were pleasantly surprised. The course is a great test, with most of the holes having something unusual. The upkeep could, perhaps, have neen a little better, but horror stories about the greens were overblown. Not a good as th exceptional standards of some other local coursed, but adequate for most golfers. I highly recommend this course for a great day out.

Played here as part of a tour with the annual Jolly boys tour. This was a course that was over hyped. It's setting is FANTASTIC with stunning views & the layout is not bad. There are some lovely holes & I will always remember some of the great shots I played (as well as some awful shots) The course is in dire need of some maitenance. The buggy tracks are appaling, the greens are in a very sad state. There is little signage to point you to the next tee. This course could be a real gem but it needs to have a large amount of cash & hard work to get it upto the condition it should be. The staff & locals/members were generally helpull & pleasant. Would go back, but only if it had a subsatantial makeover.

I would hope someone from the course reads these reviews,no one really enjoys giving a place a slating,and being honest I had held off. This could be one of the gems in the UK,the layout is a dream,you could play again and again,some amazing holes,but the condition has been for my last three visits is abysmal,just rank,and until I start hear more positive reports I wont go back,nor I guess will the 30 or so who have joined me. It isnt cheap and the welcome is surly and unhelpfull,rude even.We are English and god knows what any Americans or visitors from abroad would make of the place,a comparison maybe with a badly run seaside hotel. Sorry guys,loved the course,now its a divorce

I am very saddened to read the report by Phillip Carson who played the course only last week. I say saddened because like many golfers of my generation one has loved The Isle over many years, not only for its unique setting but also its overall standing as a first class course and Club which has satisfied the afficionados over the years. I have played with a number of visiting Societies over a period of 40years but a group that had been visiting in the last decade finally decided that enough was enough. In a nut shell there was really nothing left to say in its favour - other than the wonderful setting which kept us going back, hoping against hope that someone or something would have picked it up by the scruff of its neck and turned it around. The course and greens were terrible, the buggies filthy, and the Club house and staff poor and lacking the same caring attitude as was obvious in the green staff. I imagine it can all be put down to lack of continuing investment - but what a tragedy! I had, after an interval of five years or so, intended to make enquiries again in 2009 as to its fate in the hope that there had been a palace coup or revolution that had miracuously turned back the clock. Clearly from Carson's report I can save myself the trouble. Dr. Tom King ( Rye and New Zealand GC and sometime member also of Royal Island Singapore, Wentworth and Aberdovey GC's as well as Captain of Roehampton GC)

Ive been playing this terrific golf course on holiday for several years and love the terrain and the layout. Sadly the condition has been deteriorating year on year and this august 08 it was at its worst ever. The tees were unmown and uneven even though a members medal was being played the day we were there and sad to say the greens were terrible. Granted they had been hollow tined but they were stangely soft and very uneven,the length of cut varied 3 times over some medium length putts. Whereas once upon a time these greens were firm and tricky, balls werent so much leaving pitch marks several balls made craters which were impossible to repair. Unfortunately the staff werent particularly keen to enter into debate blindly stating that they were unaware of any problems with the greens and one person insisted that we were told that the greens were tined at the time we booked even though she wasnt the person that took the call. For what is presented to the visiting golfer £110 for a 2 ball was ridiculously overpriced and the money doesnt look like its spent on improving course conditions. Neither is this the friendliest of clubs weve ever played at. Shame because the layout terrain and design are of the highest quality - I hope that things improve or we will not be playing again.

This golf course is a great challenge, it has some tight holes and some very tight holes especially on the front nine. The greens were a real dissapointment, very slow and patchy. But you will enjoy this place if only for the views. The club house was nice except it ran out of draught bitter and the food was pricey but the view was good!

played, here mid march 08. had a really good day, fine course, not easy, very friendly and a good pint after the round, will be back.am

Agree with Steve: it's a beautiful, and beautifully-peaceful, place to play golf - it could just do with a bit more work on the greens (the fairways were fine). Although there are a handful of weaker holes (including the first couple)I loved the course. With some trees and lots of vicous heather it's far better to be straight than long. It's also true that some of the holes are a lot easier to play second time round. The staff were friendly and if I were in the area I'd probably play there again. It just needs that little bit more time and money spent on conditioning to take full advantage of its wonderful position and views. Colin

Played Purbeck in May 07 and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Its a really good layout with some great holes but unfortunately the condition lets it down a bit. Whilst the nature of the course means the fairways might not be the best around it was disapponting to find that the tees and greens were in very poor condition. It's a real shame because on a nice summers day, there can't be many better places to play golf.

Our Society of 20 played the course last Saturday when everywhere around was suffering heavy rain but not here. Well presented, fairways nicely striped,but, of necessity, preferred lies an all year round. This is a heathland course and there had been very little rain for the previous seven weeks, but it looked good given the conditions.Personally,I enjoyed it more the second time around because I had a much better appreciation of what to expect. A 3 wood to the tough par 3 11th in the teeth of the prevailing wind (on the second round of the day) which provided a birdie made it all worthwhile! Demand for good courses around Bournemouth for 20 players at the weekend outstrips supply but this is very much one of the more interesting options if you take it on. We enjoyed our day here very muc. In particular,one of our guys managed an eagle and others a number of birdies at the blind drive par 4 3rd which is followed by an interesting uphill par 3 4th. This can provide an encouraging start to the amazing 5th - if you can resist the urge to take out the big boomer and settle for a 5 iron over the marker post instead, it is much easier!

I have just come back from our second golf tour at this course which all the tour members enjoyed, even those that struggled with the wind and the interesting nuances of the course. You have to accurate off the tee as this course can be punishing at times. Even a ball landing on the fairway can run off in to potential trouble if a fairway is hit with too much draw or fade. However fantastic views, a friendly welcome and good grub at lunchtime for the hungry golfer! Although the fairways were a bit brown there was plenty of colour in the greens to hold your ball, just don't miss!

Played the course twice now, it gets better everytime, fantastic views, nice clubhouse, what more can i say

I challenge anyone not to have their breath taken away by the view as you pull into the car-park - absolutely breathtaking, and a feature of the whole course which doesn't disappear. Would recommend the views on their own but as a bonus the course is pretty good as well - and extremely hard in what I would imagine is an ever-present wind. Not a premium-quality course unlike a few others in the area but enough challenge to keep everyone happy. Loved the view from the downhill par 4 (the 5th?) which was immediately followed by a tough uphill par 5. As described below the 11th may be pretty although having to play 3 wood into the wind I sort of missed this aspect. I would definitely come back here again although found the clubhouse reception a little unwelcoming.

Played here in late November 04, weather was kind & played in shirt sleeves! The course is superb, a well thought out layout, very few flat lies or greens, all holes gave a different challenge. Certainly a course to use your head 1st. Seen comments about the fairways but if thats a concern you just dont get it - the beauty of this course is in the naturalness of it, it doesnt need manicured fairways. The 18th green is probably the smallest 18th I have come across and the 11th one of the prettyist par 3's. Also the course was virtualy empty so we could take our time. The views are a real bonus, you must 'stop & smell the roses' on this course. Club house great, good sandwiches and beer. Overall a real success, if you are down this way you must play Purbeck.

A good challenging course with fantastic views over Poole Harbour and the surrounding area. Despite the weather (I played here in November) the fairways and greens were in very good condition.In contrast to the previous reviewer I found the clubhouse staff welcoming, helpful and courteous. Not bad value for money and definitely worth a visit.

Great track,unusual and it helps to have played it before,course condition not great but probably due to prevailing conditions rather than lack of care.Greens not bad,some stunning holes Clubhouse staff a bit strange and not overly welcomimg,why does this happen so often,we pay good money to be ignored?

Played this course on 27th September and very much enjoyed it. It was in much better condition than clearly it had been for some earlier contributors to this website.Not an easy course in particular if the wind is blowing strongly and greens, whilst in good condition, were not easy to read for pace. Some quite long, hilly walks between green and the next tee. As we were playing 36 holes in the day, we pre-ordered sandwiches at the bar, and these were excellent and delivered to a table for each four ball as they came in.