The Dorset Golf & Country Club

Our group has now completed 5 annual "tours", the last two of which have visited DG&CC. The fact that we came back in 2014 should indicate that we were happy with our stay. We do plan to visit other destinations - there's a lot of golf out there to be played - but not just yet: the 2015 trip is already booked. The three nine-hole loops offer some variety: the shorter Woodland course looks simpler on paper but it's narrow and by no means a soft touch - beware the rhododendrons! Fairways (we travel in early September) have been in generally good condition and greens are fairly quick and full of tricky borrows, although I've noticed some bare patches and a few cracks. I'm not hugely keen on the type of sand used in the traps: it seems fairly coarse and pebbly (but I imagine it doesn't blow away so easily?) We've stayed in log cabins on both occasions: very comfortable, excellent facilities and so nice to have our own space to hang out between golf and dinner. We're particularly keen on the evening meal ordering system: make your selection at breakfast and decide what time to eat: your food can then turn up shortly after you sit down. The format seems to be very successful, and deservedly so: the place was full when we visited last year, so book early to avoid disappointment.

Just had a 3 night break here, staying in one the log homes, West Bay. The accommodation was very clean, large, warm and comfortable. We did have a couple of niggles, but Jason the maintenance man responded very quickly and all was sorted in about 1 hour! Very good customer service. Food in the main block for breakfast and dinner was - between the four of us - either excellent or at worst very good. Considering the weather recently the golf courses were holding up well, but the blight of unrepaired pitch marks has caught on here also. A shame when you feel you should repair as many as possible but do not want to delay the play of those behind. If you intend toi visit here, try to get a log cabin, did not see the hotel rooms so cannot comment, but you will not be disappointed in the log cabins.

As a group of 16 guys we recently spent 3 nights and played 4 rounds at this complex. We stayed in the log cabins, and these far exceeded my expectations from the descriptions. There are about 10 of them; I stayed in a 3 double room with on-suite bath rooms, and a sauna with its own separate bathroom, together with fully fitted kitchen and utility room and large lounge and its own balcony, very impressive. It’s about a 500 yards walk to the clubhouse for breakfast and evening meals. The course consists of three nine holes that can be played in a variety of ways, each 9 varies in each style, but overall it is a tree lined flat walking challenge. The greens are large and the contours offer the opportunity to 3 put if you come up short with your approach shots. Some of the pars threes offer a particular challenge by having either a tree each side of the approach to the green or one almost in front of the green. A few of our members thought this spoilt the hole, I will allow you to form your own opinion. One nine has the added challenge of water in the form of ponds and ditches that makes club selection very important off the tees. On that subject, the tee boxes were a little scruffy and on the Saturday & Sunday the makers hadn’t been moved to even out the wear. The sand in the bunkers is unusual, but not to difficult to extract your self from. Each starting tee had its own marshal to ensure matches got off in time and there was a roving marshal to keep an eye on golfers out on the course and to keep players moving. Sign posting was quite good as were the 150 yard posts, because of the number of people on the course it was difficult to proceed quietly from green to the next tee on the gravel paths, something you have to get used to. The clubhouse is well appointed with large screen TV’s showing sports programmes, a separate dinning area with good selection of food, and an outside terrace. In general the staff were helpful and friendly, except for the bar staff, they seemed in short supply and not really interested in severing people. This is a well run commercial enterprise, that doesn’t seek to compete with the private members clubs that abound in the Dorset area, they have identified a gap in the market to provide a full package for visiting golfers, and they do it well, There is an indoors bowls centre due to come on stream shortly that should boost visitors in the winter months

I visited the Dorset Golf & Country Cub earlier this month, staying in a Scandanavian Lodge within the grounds with 5 friends. We had booked the accomodation including half board & unlimited golf for £255. Starting with the lodge - it was fantastic. Three large twin rooms, sauna kitchen & living area. The balcony had a lovelly view & we spent one night having a BBQ & several beers in a beautifully secluded area. Each room had its own en suite bath/shower room. The reception staff were courteous. The club house itself was very nice. The deal included breakfast each day which comprised of a buffet style full English, as well as toast, fruit & cereals. The evening meals consisted of three courses - the quality of which were outstanding. My only complaint for the whole long weekend was the attitude of the bar staff. They were not very friendly or helpfull. Obviously they are not very happy in their work - rude would be the best word to describe them. The pro shop was well stocked & the shop staff were extremely friendly & helpfull. The clubs & accessories were competatively priced. The course consists of 27 holes - Parkland, Woodland & Lakeland. I played all of them several times over the three days I stayed at the resort. All of them were fantastic. Challenging yet rewarding. All tees, fairways & greens were in perfect condition - even after a full summer of golf. One very small criticism was the sand used in the bunkers. The sand was ful of large pebbles & stones, as if it had been taken directly from the beach. All in all I had a wonderfull weekend & cannot wait to return in the spring.

Played 18 holes for 2 days, 1st day was Parkland and Lakeland, 2nd day was Woodland and Parkland courses. All courses had great greens in immaculate condition and lots of slopes. Looking at the card thought the Woodland course would be easy because it's short but no way, narrow holes, well opsitioned hazards and those greens protect the course. Also strong winds on both days made it a challenge. Some great holes, well laid out courses, only down side was some long walks from green to the next tee. Stayed in the hotel at the club, evening food was great, staff were friendly, better than I've had at similar places. Would recommend for a short break.

We had a work society day at Dorset Golf & Country Club 21.4.2006. We played all 27 holes, 9 on the Parkland and an 18 hole round on the Woodland / Lakeland. All 3 courses are a challenge to all levels of golfer but it's a fair challenge. The greens were in superb condition and true running. I would go back for a society day the package was fantastic value for money. The food was excellent and the clubhouse staff and the corporate team were helpful and well organised. Expensive for individuals to play there but for a sociey great value

I,ve played both courses many times over the last 3 years with my work society, we keep coming back because the golf is fantastic, a great test for all standards. All the staff are brilliant, as is the hotel and food, i cant say a bad word about the Dorset, try it and you wont be dissapointed

what a outstanding course. Played on friday and greens and fairways are in top condition .The six and a half hours it took to do 18 holes spoilt a great day out.

Played the woodland course over the weekend and it played very nice. You play the front 9 twice but the challenge to beat your own score is great. It was nice to play of mats on only two holes as they still let you tee of just by the side of the summer tee areas. It is a little pricy at £23.50 for what really is a nine hole course.

played the course last week and thought it was an excellent challenge - a good layout which made you think about every hole. Good use of well constructed bunkers realy sets the scene for each hole. Only down sides were the tank testing area next door (although you can only hear them from a couple of holes), the slowness of the greens - slowest Ive plyed in a long, long time and the 18th being disappointing compared to the rest of the holes. Overall though a good track and I will certainly be returning

I played this course on Friday 13th and had a nightmare. As a beginner, I found the course very unforgiving - with lots of rough and water hazards - and therefore very frustrating. However I'd love to go back and give it another go as it presents a good challenge.

Excellent course for players of all abillities, and some truly testing holes. Golf lodge is comfortable and great value for money for a weekend stay with golf included. The food was top class. p. s The nine hole woodland course is brilliant.

New course and clubhouse like many others built over the last few years. Staked trees all over the place, and if you hook or slice badly you'll probably end up on another fairway. Some interesting holes though and plenty of water so it will develop into a nice course in a few years.