Came Down Golf Club: One of the Best Golf Courses in Dorset
A friendly and welcoming community, breath-taking panoramic country views, a range of membership options and an 18-hole course with a rich history that will put your skills to the test. There’s plenty to love about playing a few rounds at Came Down but don’t just take our word for it…
Lovely Feedback – thank you!
We are thrilled to have been listed as one of Golf Monthly’s ‘100 Hidden Gems’ golf courses. We have also been featured as ‘one of the best golf courses in Dorset’ and “a lovely club with particularly friendly members” in another GM article.
We have a 4.6-star rating on Google, thank you so much to everyone who took the time to review us.
5 stars: “Friendly club, good catering, new menu, good selection of drinks, great golf and absolutely superb views. Sun early in the year, followed by loads of rain, followed by the recent heatwave has really made the course look beautiful. Lovely green plush fairways and (unfortunately) punishing rough. It's a pleasure to play.”
5 stars: “I became a member just over a month ago; I find staff very helpful in the pro shop and clubhouse. Greenkeepers are very aware you are playing around the course and do everything not to interrupt your play. All members I have met are very welcoming and very helpful, a very welcoming club indeed.”
5 stars: “Well laid out golf course with a good mix of open approaches and challenging holes. Club house is well equipped, clean and the food is superb. Staff are very welcoming and friendly.”
Let’s Travel Back in Time
Founded in 1896 as Dorchester Golf Club, Came Down has a fascinating history, with links to some of golf’s most important institutions, including the Ryder Cup, The Open, and the origin of ‘The Bogey’.
Samuel Ryder was a member of Came Down Golf Club and in the words of Peter Alliss, “It would appear that Came Down Golf Club was the actual birthplace of the Ryder Cup”. An unrivalled family in golf, the Whitcombe brothers also honed their skills at Came Down.
· The original 9-hole course was designed by Tom Dunn
· 1904-6: first links with The Open were forged. J H Taylor, a five times Open Champion, extended the course to 18 holes. Club renamed to Dorchester, Weymouth and County Golf Club and presented with the Weymouth Cup
· 1910: Club Captain was Dr Thomas Browne, RN, who is famous in golf for introducing the world ‘Bogey’ into the golfing vocab
· 1910: Ernest Whitcombe became Club Professional
· 1911: Club Captain was Angus Hambro, an English International, who became Captain of the R&A at St Andrews in 1928-29
· 1924-7: renowned architect Harry S Colt remodelled the course and the club was renamed Came Down Golf Club
Breathtaking Scenery
Came Down is a place where nature and golf come together harmoniously. As you step onto the course, the panoramic views of the Dorset countryside will take your breath away. Surrounded by rolling hills, lush greenery and the rugged Jurassic Coast in the distance, our course offers a setting that is second to none. Whether you're an experienced golfer or just starting out, the picturesque surroundings and varied wildlife alone are reason enough to pay us a visit. You may even spot a sika deer during your round!
After your game, you can head to our cosy clubhouse for a warming drink and hearty locally-sourced meal whilst admiring spectacular views of the course and watching the sun go down.
Let’s Take a Tour
Open all year round, our 18-hole downland chalk course is kept well maintained to a high standard by our experienced team of greenkeepers. Challenging, yet rewarding, it’s playable for golfers of all abilities. The undulating fairways and strategically placed bunkers will put your skills to the test and allow for a bit of friendly competition.
Sloping downhill with beautiful views of Dorchester, Hole 1 – Casterbridge takes its name from Thomas Hardy’s name for the county town.
Well bunkered, Hole 2 – Linden Lea is a short par 3, named after a poem written by Dorset poet William Barnes.
On Hole 3 – Spinney, two accurate shots are needed for a realistic chance of a birdie.
Hole 4 – Woodside is the only par 5 on the front nine – the drive makes or breaks this hole.
Hole 5 – Valley is a demanding par 4, playing uphill through a valley and often into the wind.
A tough par 3, birdies are rarely seen on Hole 6 – Westward Ho so give it everything you’ve got.
A blind, but straightforward tee shot sets you up for the approach on Hole 7 – Maiden Castle, which is named after the largest Iron Age hill fort in Europe, located not far from the course – just two miles of Dorchester.
On Hole 8 – Hardy, the fairway is dominated by a large pit to the centre/left.
Two solid hits will be needed to reach the green on uphill Hole 9 – Tweil.
You can take a breather on Hole 10 – Fred May and keep an eye out for local sika deer in the woods.
Often slightly against the wind, you’ll need to play two solid strikes to leave you putting for birdie on Hole 11 – Moonfleet.
Name after a character in Thomas Hardy’s book, ‘The Return of the Native’, Hole 12 – Diggory Venn is a par 3, well-guarded by two front bunkers.
With one of the flattest greens on the fairway, Hole 13 – Greenhill Barrow presents a good birdie opportunity.
With strategically placed fairway bunkers, and very often into the wind, par is a good score on Hole 14 – Mistover Knapp.
Positioned at the highest point of the course, Hole 15 – Who’s-A-Fear’d (a motto of the county) lives up to its name.
At Hole 16 – Slingers, a blind tee shot needs to be confidently struck to set up a downhill approach to a sloping green, it’s a tricky one!
Hole 17 – Polly’s Pit is a short ‘risk and reward’ par 4. The large pit to the right of the green is named after the last pony that worked on the course.
The last hole, Hole 18 – Home, is dead straight but well bunkered and a solid tee shot is needed to reach the green in two.
Head to ‘Hole-by-Hole’ for pro tips for each hole.
Become a Member
Whether you’re a member or visitor, we pride ourselves on our inclusive and supportive community. We offer a range of membership options, including Flexible and Academy for learners, as well as regular competitions. We have sections for ladies, men’s seniors and juniors. There is no joining fee!
We welcome visitors and societies seven days a week, all year round. Our facilities include a putting green for you to hone your skills and take your game to the next level, as well as buggy and trolley hire. We also have an on-site pro shop for all your golf essentials, including clothing, shoes and accessories.
Visitors can book from our online tee booking page and members can book from the members area. We look forward to seeing you on the green!
