Came Down - Dorset - England

Gem England - Best in Area
Came Down Golf Club,
Higher Came,
Dorchester,
Dorset,
DT2 8NR,
England

  • +44 (0) 1305 813494

Known as Came Down Golf Club since 1924, the club started out with a Tom Dunn-designed 9-hole golf course in 1896 as Dorchester Golf Club. Ten years after its formation, the club enlisted J.H. Taylor to extend the course to a full 18-hole layout, and with this expansion came another change of name, to Weymouth, Dorchester and County Golf Club. When the third and final name change took place almost twenty years later, it was decided to upgrade the course at the same time and so Harry Colt was asked to redesign Came Down, with reconstruction work delayed a couple of years until 1927.

Located on chalk downland between Dorchester and Weymouth, Came Down enjoys wonderful scenic views of the surrounding Dorset countryside. Samuel Ryder used to holiday in this area during the summer and he eventually became a member of the club. It’s said that his vision for the Ryder Cup, to be played between teams of British and American golf professionals, took shape after listening to local pros talk about the expense involved in leaving club jobs temporarily to participate in competitions.

Today’s course features a number of intriguing holes, amongst them a pair of short par fours at the 2nd (“Spinney”) and 17th (Polly’s Pit”). The 407-yard 7th (“Maiden Castle”) is a tough hole – named after the nearby site of what’s believed to be the largest Iron Age hill fort in Europe – where, after a blind tee shot, an approach shot is played to a well-bunkered green that’s benched into the hillside. On the back nine, the 404-yard 16th (“Slingers”) is another difficult hole, with out of bounds to the right of the fairway helping to concentrate the thoughts of many between the teebox and green.
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Reviews for Came Down

Average Reviewers Score:
Description: With stunning panoramic views, a tough but fair course and a great deal of history, the J.H. Taylor and Harry Colt-designed Came Down Golf Club is a quintessential gem. Rating: 7.3 out of 10 Reviews: 3
TaylorMade
Chris Skinner
After visiting last year I have to say Came Down Golf Club is a fantastic round of golf and well worth a visit. Set high overlooking the county town of Dorchester on one side and the Isle of Portland on the other, you couldn't wish for a better setting. The course itself is moorland in style with room to open your shoulders but heavy rough waiting for the offline drive. The course is no beast in length at around 6200 yds but with a par of 70 and a stiff breeze scoring well is far from easy (I play off 5 for the record). Stand out holes are the par 3 6th at over 220 yds over a valley with a well protected green, the par 4 420yd 7th with a second shot into a green below surrounded by trees, and the par 4 16th at 420yds to a green placed as far into the corner of the course as possible with a vicious green. Which brings me to what I believe is the real story of the course - the greens. Immaculate condition and extremely fast, the greens may not have the biggest borrows, but boy are they subtle. I understand the County regularly use the course for matches and I can see why. In summary, a fine round of golf in a beautiful part of the world where you will want to return time and time again.
June 15, 2011
8 / 10
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4 people found this review helpful
David
A superb test of downland golf where the wind always blows. Some of the best par threes you will find on any golf course and par is very rarely broken by even the best county players. David.
May 25, 2011
8 / 10
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3 people found this review helpful
Edward Coleridge
This is a really good course, much underrated, and well worth a visit. The course is good, with amazing views and very friendly members. If you are in the area it is well worth visiting
April 16, 2007
6 / 10
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3 people found this review helpful