Five-star golf at The Dorset

Posted on 11/02/09. Source: Fairway to Green Magazine (By Staff writer)

Water, water everywhere ... strategically-placed bunkers ... lightning-fast greens ... welcome to The Dorset Golf and Country Club.

In truth, you can be assured of receiving some truly five-star treatment at this stunning resort, set deep in the heart of the countryside, where the friendly and obliging staff make you feel at home from
the moment you arrive.

As for the challenge of tackling The Dorset's superb 27 golf holes - with its USGA greens and tees - that's entirely up to you.

Measuring up at more than 7,000 yards off the back tees, the opening two nines - the Lakeland and Parkland - will present a stern test of any golfer's abilities. And, at 6,580 from the whites, it's an equally good examination of the handicap player's all-round game.

There are no fewer than three lakes in play at the 483-yard, par-five second where the big hitters could feasibly make the green in two though, with out of bounds down the right, three more conservative but decent strikes could offer a birdie chance.

A wickedly-undulating putting surface at the par-four third offers a taste of what's to come during the remainder of the round - the 168-yard, fourth boasts a tough green, protected by five bunkers, which
can easily prompt a three-putt nightmare.

By now, you will recognise that, to  negotiate The Dorset in one piece, strong powers of concentration are required to remain on the straight and narrow.

The par-five sixth certainly keeps you thinking ... the choice is to lay up before the water hazard which crosses the fairway or attempt to blast one over it with your second.

Inevitably, there's sand to contend with, too, at this testing stroke index two hole. And you can't afford to switch off at the short seventh, with bunkers in front and water behind a tricky putting surface. It pays to keep your sensible head on at the beginning of the Parkland nine.

At the 478-yard, par-five 11th, for example, the clever play involves a drive to avoid the fairway bunkers to the left and a second which will leave a straightforward pitch over the six traps which guard the green.

The 12th is a lovely dogleg left which hugs a huge lake and requires an accurate second shot in, but it's the 13th which provides the greatest challenge of this spectacular nine.  Justifiably ranked as the hardest hole on the course, this 422-yarder has an almost linksy feel to it, with clumps of gorse down
the left and a pair of fearsome bunkers to negotiate.

The stream dissecting the fairway should not really come into play but the deep sand traps around the green and the lake to the right threaten to gobble up anything that's even slightly off line.

Two par threes in the closing four holes may look like a comfortable finale but they're both potential card-wreckers. At 192 yards and with sand left and right, the 15th needs the correct club selection
to reach a long two-tiered green while the 17th features water at the back and a series of traps in front.

Sandwiched in between is the 516-yard, par-five 16th where good course management produces a satisfactory end result.

If you're staying a night or two in the luxurious surroundings of The Dorset, there'll be plenty of time to play the remaining nine holes of the Woodland Course, where an array of beautiful rhododendrons will help take your mind off the abundance of trees which line the fairways.

Whatever your experience out on the course, The Dorset's clubhouse - with widescreen TV and pool and darts - and classy restaurant will draw you into its warm welcome once more.

Whether you choose a light snack or plump for the three-course option, you can be assured of ample portions of great quality food on a wide-ranging menu.

It all makes The Dorset the perfect choice as an all-round golfing venue.