Originally established as the Dorset Golf Club, Broadstone was founded by Lord Wimborne in 1898, with the course designed by Tom Dunn. Bernard Darwin noted in his 1910 book, The Golf Courses of the British Isles, that “Broadstone is, I think, rather an easy course to remember,” meaning each hole has its own distinct character. Although he had only seen the course once, he could vividly recall all the holes except for the park ones, which he felt weren’t particularly memorable. Harry Colt later revamped Broadstone, creating seven new holes in a beautiful stretch of heathland west of the railway line. As a result, Broadstone transformed into a classic heathland course, and little has changed since then.
The course features stunning rolling terrain, and the elevated back nine offers sweeping views of the Purbeck Hills and Poole Harbour. Measuring 6,315 yards from the back tees and 5,467 yards from the forward tees, Broadstone isn’t deemed a long enough test to host big professional events. However, it has hosted several prestigious amateur tournaments, including the English Women’s Amateur (in 1929, 1973, and 2010), The Women’s Amateur (1951), and the Women’s Home Internationals (1951), showcasing some of the finest golfers. While it may not boast length from the tee, Broadstone compensates with its scenic beauty, featuring an abundance of heather, gorse, birch, and pines – in many ways, it serves as a shorter blend of Sunningdale and Walton Heath. Undoubtedly, Broadstone is an exceptional heathland course that deserves a spot on any serious golfer’s itinerary.
