Dudsbury

Host venue in the past for the PGA Europro Tour and PGA Order of Merit Championship, the course at Dudsbury Golf Club Hotel & Spa is a Donald Steel design that measures 6,901 yards from the tips, playing to a par of 71.

It occupies a 130-acre property outside Bournemouth, with fairways set out on rolling parkland that sweeps gently down to the meandering waters of the River Stour as it heads towards Christchurch Bay on the coast.

There’s water in play – in the form of small ponds or little streams – at more than half the holes, with lovely Purbeck stone bridges in place at crossing points. Greens have been built to USGA specification so putting’s a real pleasure on such polished surfaces.

The signature hole is the 402-yard 16th (“Pump House”), a risk-reward par four where the tee shot must carry the biggest pond on the layout. Most players opt for a shorter carry over the water then a longer second shot but an easier approach is on offer for big hitters taking a more direct route off the tee.