Throughout this month’s Features you will find reviews of the following – Parkstone, Isle of Purbeck, Meyrick Park, Stoneham (near Southampton) and Broadstone. If you want more detail (course types and conditions), use these reviews. This section has a brief review below and if you have come across this editorial later on, the detailed reviews will have been transferred into ‘Course reviews’.

How to get there?

There are two, maybe three options. One is to use the M5 then cut across and head south at Bath (appearing a more easy option for those in the west of our region) and the latter half of that route (Cirencester and south) is the same for those who head down the old Roman roads south west (a second option). Both finish with an almost tortuous last 50 miles through winding (and very slow – and beautiful) countryside and then require the driver to cut back along the coast if you decide to stay in Bournemouth.

If you want to stop off at say Castle Coombe (review in ‘Course reviews’), and travel more leisurely, consider these routes. For speed and nearly all dual carriageways, use the M40 (or A3400) and go via Newbury to pick up the regional motorways. Estimated travelling time (from Birmingham) is 2 hrs 15 to 2 hrs 30 minutes.

Problems – take a look at how big the conurbations are (B’mouth and Southampton) and remember that this is one of the premier UK holiday resorts and you will find congestion because of regional traffic and fellow tourists. You can expect to meet stationary traffic at peak times.

Where to stay and Bournemouth itself?

UK seaside resorts have missed out in the transition to more modern (and quality) tourism – and Bournemouth itself is no exception. The first thing that strikes you is how (and why) the town seems to sell itself on its shopping facilities (huge but very standard) rather than the miles and miles of wonderful sand.

Poole is closer to the mark but lots of people live and work in the towns. There are hotels all along the respective fronts and across to Purbeck (the latter in the £100 + a night mark) but if you want to spend the evening looking out across to the sea, your options are very limited. We looked for something affordable, close enough to the town centre to give maximum eating (and entertainment) options, somewhere central to all the golf and lastly a hotel with some individuality, not a base for coach parties.

Just to the west of the International Convention Centre, set back from the front, is a large number of big and small hotels, many with a few stars to recommend them. We chose the Boltons. It is set back from a main road to the front, is 5 minutes from the shops or the beach and its big enough to accommodate a party of up to 20 people. Rooms are comfortable and ensuite, there are a number if singles, breakfast is as ‘full’ as you want it, there is a heated swimming pool set in a lovely garden … and possibly most important of all, the bar is great!

Your welcome will be very warm from your hosts Jane and Damien. Rates are around £40.00 per night. You can pay less and you can certainly pay more in the region. The Boltons is 4 diamonds rated by a number of well-known organisations.

From the Boltons, its 10 minutes to a wide range of restaurants and bars. Some operate a policy of not allowing large single sex groups in to either eat or drink. If it looks pretentious, this may be the case. You can spend £5.00 or £25, and if you want to go clubbing, there is plenty to look out for (including an over 35’s disco not far away from the Boltons).

Courses

Parkstone – this club has lots of associations with Peter Allis. Classy, very entertaining, are two adjectives that are oft associated with the best Golf Commentator around. Extraordinary beauty, some taciturn design, are descriptions that can be used about this little gem and not Mr Allis. This is a private members club who possess something very special to play golf on year round. As a visitor, enjoy and don’t expect to play badly and get away with anything.

Conditions – good/very good. Accessibility – easy to find. Clubhouse – wonderful but apparently they want to change it. Help – the course planner is OK, the marker posts a good guide, play a couple of rounds so that you gain some of the local knowledge needed to really play well here. Price – excellent value.

Isle of Purbeck – possibly no course in England can claim the range and the beauty of views from this course. On a still day, its fun to go with some wonderful design on a number of holes and the finish is far tougher than its yardage – then there is the 5th (you just have to play it). This is not true links, not is it park or heathland. It’s unique.

Conditions – not what many will be used to. This is hard land to manage but it’s perfectly playable. Its tight lies and lots of rough. Accessibility – easy to find – its either crossing using the ferry of 40 minutes extra driving – both routes can have some terrible delays. Clubhouse – perfect. Help – buy the planner but much of what you see is as it should be played. Price – top marks.

Meyrick Park - This very affordable municipal is littered with some great golf holes (starting with the 1st) and for such a busy place is in very good condition. The finish is five holes which will require just about every club in the bag, lots of nerve, and a fade (not a push) from the tee. There are four distinct areas of the course, the par threes are all excellent, the 14th one of the top par fours around.

Conditions – Good. Accessibility – easy. Clubhouse – it’s a municipal but check out the Dormy House if you need a hotel. Price – cant be beaten.

Stoneham – This is a classic course, pure ‘old fashioned design’ which is still far superior to anything touted as being new. No two holes seem the same and all bar three occasions you turn direction to play the next. Its not long and good driving is a must … as is precise iron play and good putting.

Conditions – very good. Accessibility – look up how to get there on the web because without help, this is just a couple of miles from the motorway yet really difficult to see how to get there. Clubhouse – Members Club standards. Price – very good value.

Broadstone – everything you have read about this course is true. It may be relatively short by 00’s standards however, its beauty belies its requirement for everything your golf game has. There are a few easier holes to give opportunities to make up for the bogies (or more) that most will take on one (or more) of the low index holes – notably the 7th, the 13th, the 2nd ….

Conditions – excellent. Accessibility – very good. Clubhouse – wonderful. Help – all you need. Price – top marks.

The Boltons – Tel : 01202 751517