Of the ‘big three’ courses in the Bournemouth-Poole region, namely Parkstone, Broadstone and Ferndown, the last named is the most widely known. This is largely the result of its staging several televised professional tournaments during the 1970s and ’80s; indeed, it is difficult to think of Ferndown without thinking of Peter Alliss, which is highly appropriate since it was here that the former Ryder Cup player and celebrated commentator first learned to play the game, his father Percy having been the Club’s professional.
Today Ferndown has 36 holes to entice the visiting golfer: the championship Old Course, which was designed by Harold Hilton in 1912, and the shorter Presidents Course, designed by J Hamilton Stutt in 1969 and which has nine holes but eighteen tees.
The Old Course layout is essentially one of two loops, an inner loop comprising holes 1 to 8 and the outer containing the 10th to 18th. Always immaculately groomed, its fairways are of a sandy, heathland nature and gently undulate throughout. The rough is mainly heather and this, together with the many pines, firs and silver birch trees gives the course a very attractive appearance. Included among the most testing holes are the 6th, the dog-leg 9th and the 11th – all are quite lengthy par fours – while perhaps the most picturesque hole on the course is the short 5th, where in late May and early June the rhododendrons provide a brilliant splash of colour.

DIRECTIONS
Take the A31 from Ringwood to Ferndown. Follow the A348 Ringwood Road, take 2nd on the left into Golf Links Road. Ferndown Golf Club is approximately 11/2 miles on the lefthand side.

		Ferndown Golf Club is just one of the courses detailed in Golfing Guides of Britain& Ireland to order this book click here

		Accommodation near this course
	Bridge House Hotel 2 Ringwood Road, Longham, Ferndown, Dorset BH22 9AN Tel: 01202 578828 Fax: 01202 572620 Web: www.oldenglish.co.uk

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