Golf Trip Report - Bournemouth

Bournemouth is one of the U.k’s premiere tourist destinations, with gorgeous beaches, stunning scenery and a lively all year round appeal. It’s no surprise that it attracts more than one million people each year.

Bournemouth is an ideal base for a golf break. There is a wealth of magnificent golf courses in Bournemouth including the Isle of Purbeck Golf Club, which is worth a visit with its 27 holes of thrilling golf and stunning coastal views.

Furthermore, Broadstone Golf Club and Parkstone Golf Club boast some magnificent golf courses which are a must play whilst on your golf tour in this beautiful coastal region.

Add all that to the miles of golden sandy beaches and a vivacious town centre packed with outstanding leisure facilities, shops, pubs and lively night spots. Whilst staying in this beautiful coastal destination you will have the opportunity to visit nearby attractions including the New Forest, the National Motor Museum, Corfe Castle, Poole Harbour and the stunning Dorset coastline. So if you after a lively or peaceful golf tour, Bournemouth has something for everyone.

My Stay

There was a host of accommodation options available to me from hotels to caravan parks there is something for just about everyone.

I chose the De Vere Royal Bath which is conveniently located in the town centre.

It has excellent views over Bournemouth Bay and the Purbeck Hills.

The hotel's facilities include a superb leisure club offering  amenities such as a heated swimming pool, spa, sauna and gym as well as a health and beauty centre. The food avaliable is also of a high standard with a choice of the Bistro or the more intimate gourmet of Oscars Restaurant.

I stayed for two nights on a bed and breakfast basis. The hotel has over a dozen golf courses to choose from in the surrounding area, so I knew I wasn’t going to be disappointed.

The Golf

Whilst I was there I played two rounds plus and extra nine.

The first I played was the Dorset Golf & Country Club which has 27 holes of the most challenging championship golf in the south of England.

The Lakeland, Parkland and Woodland Golf Courses, designed by Martin Hawtree, offer fabulous championship golf for all abilities.  All three golf courses have been built to the highest standards and boast USGA specification greens and tees.  The golf club has hosted many championship events including the South West PGA and The MasterCard Tour Event.  It is considered as one of the 'golfing gems' of the south.  With four sets of tees and over 7,000 yards off the championship tees and over 6,000 yards off the tee of the day, it is excellent test of golf for all players of all standards.

Then I moved onto The Dudsbury Golf club which is located about three miles North of Bournemouth.

The Donald Steel designed 6,761 yard par 71 championship golf course is set in 160 acres of beautiful Dorset countryside rolling gently down to the River Stour. To add more interest, water comes into play on 14 holes, with numerous little streams, crossed by picturesque Purbeck stone bridges, linking nine lakes around the golf course.

Attractions

Here are our 10 "must do" things in Bournemouth!

1. Visit the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum - an eclectic mix of treasures from around the world including famous paintings and gems collected by the Russell-Cotes family.
 
2. Do the Pier to Pier walk. Start at either Bournemouth or Boscombe Pier and finish at the other. Enjoy the scenic stroll along the promenade and treat yourself to coffee and cake at one of the many cafes, restaurants or hotels at either end.

3. Whatever the season, enjoy an expert-guided walk through Bournemouth's many parks and gardens. Learn about flowers, insects, birds and animals that inhabit the diverse countryside. For information contact the Tourist Information Centre on 0845 051 1700.

4. Enjoy high tea; the ultimate British tradition! Enjoy tea, sandwiches and cake at one of our many hotels, cafes and restaurants, after your feet need a break from shopping in the many boutiques and department stores.

5. Hire a beach hut, another great British tradition. Did you know Bournemouth invented the beach hut back in 1908 and still rents out the oldest in the world? OR hire one of the new funky surf reef 'beach pods', based at Boscombe Beach - the ultimate in style.

6. Get in the water! The sea off Bournemouth beach is perfect for early morning swimming, surf lessons and body boarding. There are plenty of watersports to choose from in Bournemouth and neighbouring Poole - even if you're a beginner! Europe's first artificial surf reef - 'Boscombe Surf Reef' is now launched and surfers from around the Globe are coming to try it out.

7. Pack a picnic - indulge your nostalgic side while in Bournemouth and set off for a good old-fashioned picnic. We've picked five of the best picnic spots for you to try out.

8. Go swimming - award winning Littledown Centre has great facilities for all the family with a large swimming pool with fun flumes for the kids, swimming lanes for the adults and a baby pool. As well as swimming there's a gym and many classes - just turn up!

9. Feeling sporty? Have a game of tennis on our all weather outdoor courts set in the beautiful Bournemouth Upper Gardens. Or why not try your hand at bowling - we have many bowling greens set in exquisite landscapes and you don't have to be a member to have a go. Or hire some bikes and cycle off into the sunset! Try Yoga on the Beach near to Boscombe Pier, every Tues, Weds and Thurs evening  6 -7pm and weekdays 7 - 8am.

10. Go to the theatre! Bournemouth offers something for everyone in its top entertainment venues. The Bournemouth International Centre (BIC) and Pavilion Theatre offer live entertainment across the genres of classical music, rock and pop, musicals, children's shows, comedy, ballet, ice shows and ice skating.

Getting there

Bournemouth is centrally located on the south coast and serviced by public transport, good road links, an international airport and nearby ports.

Low cost airlines Ryanair and Thomson fly go directly into BIA, but also there is direct train and bus links to both Heathrow and Gatwick airports.

National Express has direct links into Bournemouth bus station. There are regular buses from London Victoria station
Out and About

There is so much choice on food and drink in Bournemouth, with over 250 restaurants from Gastro to Britain’s best Fish and Chip shop there is something for everyone.

Take in the nightlife as well with lots of bars, pubs and clubs again a wide range to suit all different needs.

Golfbreaks.com, Europe's largest golf travel company have some special offers for tours in Bournemouth, visit www.golfbreaks.com for more information