Knighton Heath - Dorset - England

Knighton Heath is a pleasant predominantly heathland course. Greens were in good condition, but as with all courses at the moment the parched ground mean't staying on the fairly narrow fairways was very problematic. Approaches to many greens were made very tight with the use of good greenside bunkering.

Holes 1-13 seemed to be more heathland but from hole 14 the course definitely had more of a parkland feel. Enjoyed holes 1-13 very much as they had much variety with elevational change, side slopes, dog-legs, raised tees etc. The 2nd was probably my favourite hole, a dog-leg par 4 with a very tight entrance to the green. The next hole was a good looking par 3 in excess of 200 yards. The course just seemed to run out of steam after the short par 3 at 14 (a short infill par 3) with a few straight holes and a closing par 3. Overall enough enjoyment for me to want to return when the course is less dry to see how it plays, as based on my first round potentially I would place it ahead of Yeovil and possibly Sherborne in the Dorset rankings.

This course, not really talked about much given the strong local competition from Parkstone and Broadstone particularly, was a pleasant surprise.

Played in very wet wintery conditions, the course stood up very well and provides a good test as well as being an attractive course.

A heathland slash parkland course, it is very much characterised by short, tight par 4s, often with raised tees and greens, which in some cases are very attractive. Requiring disciplined straight tee shots, driver is only really used on a handful of holes, and even the two par 5s are only c.450 yards - a short track but not unpleasant or boring.

The greens rolled well given the time of year and conditions, and the course as a whole was in decent nick.

Clubhouse and other facilities probably bring the club down as a whole, but thoroughly enjoyed the round. One small gripe though is the finish with a boring short par 3 18th - feels stuck on the end after some very strong holes preceding it on the back nine.

Overall, worth a look if you’re in the area and can’t get on Parkstone or Broadstone.

Added this onto our Dorset trip after being beaten up at Isle of Purbeck. Wasn't overly impressed with "welcome" at pro shop, "we took your booking but we don't operate tee times, put a ball in the chute" ???

Course is interesting layout in reasonable condition.

Bunkers unraked, pitchmarks unrepaired, members dress questionable and pace of play slow with a capital S.

Miles behind Dudsbury in every aspect.

A genuine heathland course which is rarely mentioned in polls and overshadowed by Ferndown and Parkstone. Nevertheless, it is a beautiful course and a good test and you always get a friendly welcome. Some good short par 4s, the long par4 10th being the best hole on the course and a testing finish all add up to very enjoyable golf for all levels of golfer. A definite 'hidden gem'. David

Knighton Heath is a lovely heath-land course with lynx style wind and fantastic lighten fast greens, which are in great condition all year round. I have been a member for over a year now and love it.The course is in excellent condition and is a credit to the green keepers who are renowned in the local area.The course is not a long course but the greens and undulating fairways are a challenge for most, this course is a proper test of your putting and course management.If you get wild off the tee then you’ll be racking through golf balls and the wind swirls massively so you have to keep your witts about you.I highly recommend this course as it’s a great test and it’s not a boring course where you can be wild with your driver off every hole bar the par 3s!